The Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery (ANZSVS)

In 1971 the Section of Vascular Surgery was formed within the Division of General Surgery in the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. This was the first occasion in Australia when Vascular Surgery became officially recognised as a sub-specialty of General Surgery and in 1982, a post Fellowship two year training programme was developed.

The Division of Vascular Surgery was established on July 1, 1995 and the first examination in vascular surgery was held in 1996.The ANZSVS was established as an incorporated association in 2000 and is the peak vascular surgery organisation in Australasia.
 
The objectives of the Society are to:
  1. To establish and maintain appropriate programs of continuing education and professional development in all aspects of vascular surgery.
  2. To organise and conduct scientific programmes relating to vascular surgery at the Annual Scientific Meetings of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and on such other occasions as may be decided upon from time to time.
  3. To improve the quality and practice of vascular surgery.
  4. To promote and represent the professional development and interests of vascular surgeons, and to represent vascular surgeons on medico-political and industrial issues.
  5. To encourage basic and clinical research in vascular surgery.
  6. To encourage publication of scientific work and research in vascular surgery.
  7. To provide a forum for the presentation of scientific and clinical subjects in vascular surgery.
  8. To facilitate and regulate the training of vascular surgeons in Australia and New Zealand.
  9. To assist in the development of vascular surgery in the region and to encourage international collaboration in vascular surgery, currently as the Australian and New Zealand Chapter of the ISCVS, particularly through meeting with other chapters of the ISCVS at the biennial International Congress.
  10. To advise the Council of the RACS on matters relating to vascular surgery generally, and on all matters in any way affecting the interests of vascular surgery and surgeons in Australia and New Zealand.
  11. To encourage and affiliate the regional vascular societies in Australia and New Zealand.
The ANZSVS currently has a total of 315 members comprising 183 Ordinary members, who are vascular surgeons practising in Australia or New Zealand, who either hold the qualification of FRACS in Vascular Surgery or are equivalent; 22 Associate members who are medical specialists who are not Fellows of the RACS and who have a special interest in vascular surgery; 53 vascular Trainee members, 54 Senior members and 3 Overseas members.