President’s Message

A message from Wei Zhou, MD, FACS – Western Vascular Society President

It is my honor to serve as the 38th President of the Western Vascular Society, and as the second woman surgeon to lead the society. Dr. Linda Reilly was President in 2010. I am grateful for the leaders who came before me establishing a solid foundation that can withstand the winds of change.

The emerging generation of vascular surgeons contains more women and greater diversity. Western Vascular Society is responding to the needs of our growing membership by blazing new trails in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and using the Vascular Surgery Interest Group to embrace new ideas. These two committees will present actionable team work goals in 2023. Here is the direct quote from a medical student who joined us at the last meeting:

“I was incredibly inspired by the tight-knit and compassionate community of vascular surgeons and trainees pushing the boundaries of the field both in terms of innovation and improvement of care for their patients.”

The medical students who attend in turn bring fresh eyes to help us appreciate our community!

Since its inception all research presented at the annual meeting is original work never presented before. Make plans now to attend the 38th Western Vascular Society Annual Meeting September 9-12, 2023 in Kauai at the Grand Hyatt.

Sincerely,
Wei

Wei Zhou, MD, FACS

President Western Vascular Society
Professor of Surgery
Division Chief Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson

About Dr. Wei Zhou

Wei Zhou, MD, FACS, is a professor of surgery and the chief of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. She is an internationally recognized expert in surgical and percutaneous management of vascular diseases involving the carotid, aorta, and lower extremities. She has extensive experience in carotid stenting, complex endovascular aneurysm repair, and minimally invasive treatment of lower extremity occlusive disease.

Prior to joining the University of Arizona, Dr. Zhou was on staff at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas and Stanford University in California, where she was a professor of surgery. Additionally, she was the chief of vascular surgery at the VA Palo Alto Heath Care System. During her tenure at Stanford, Dr. Zhou developed a state-of-the-art modern vascular surgery practice in Palo Alto VA. Under her leadership, Palo Alto VA provided and continues to provide advanced endovascular interventions and comprehensive care to patients with vascular diseases.

Dr. Zhou is a recognized surgeon-scientist and an NIH-funded physician investigator. Her research program focuses on clinical outcomes of vascular interventions and the mechanistic investigation of atherosclerotic disease. She has received funding from the NIH, the American Heart Association, the American College of Surgeons, and the Veteran Health Administration and is the principle investigator for more than 30 clinical trials. In addition, Dr. Zhou has authored or co-authored 120 peer-reviewed articles and 23 book chapters and has been invited to numerous national and international meetings for her thought leadership in the impacts of carotid interventions. She is fluent in both English and Chinese.