Adam Beck is a Professor and Division Director of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). 

 

Dr. Beck is an internationally known expert in the treatment of aortic diseases, especially those involving the branched segments of the aorta, and has a particular interest in prevention strategies for spinal cord ischemia resulting from thoracoabdominal aortic repair. He also has an interest in health services research and surgical quality improvement and serves as the Director of Quality for the UAB Cardiovascular Institute, the U.S. Director of the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR) and the Chairman of the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI), among a number of other roles in the SVS VQI. He maintains a busy clinical practice at UAB, with a focus on the treatment of complex aortic diseases. 

Dr. Carlota F. Prendes is a vascular surgeon at Uppsala University Hospital in Sweden. She completed her surgical residency in Spain (Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias) and pursued advanced aortic surgery training through two dedicated fellowships — first in Uppsala, Sweden and subsequently in Munich, Germany. Over the years, she has held consultant and fellowship roles in multiple European countries before returning to work in Uppsala. 

She has an extensive academic output, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Her research spans complex aortic pathologies, as well as topics on anatomical feasibility, sex-specific outcomes, and endograft performance. Beyond clinical and research work, she has played a key role in vascular education and knowledge dissemination. She was part of the founding team of European Society for Vascular Surgery Podcasts — a platform aimed at sharing the latest research, innovations, and discussions across the vascular community. 

More recently, Dr. Fernandez Prendes serves on the editorial board of European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery as Section Editor for the Thoracic and Suprarenal Abdominal Aorta section. She has also contributed to clinical guideline development and comparative guideline analysis, including a recent publication comparing the 2024 ESVS AAA Guidelines with the 2018 German S3 national guidelines — a reflection of her commitment to evidence-based practice and harmonization of vascular care across Europe. 

Dr. Prendes remains actively involved in research, clinical care and education — working at the intersection of complex aortic pathology, sex-specific vascular disease, guideline development, and academic mentorship.

Jill Sommerset, RVT, FSVU, is a vascular technologist with 25 years of experience in advanced vascular ultrasound and limb preservation. Currently she is the director of ultrasound at Advanced Vascular Centers and HOPE Vascular & Podiatry.  She is also the director of Clinical Education and Training at Aveera Medical. She is known for developing Pedal Acceleration Time (PAT).Jill is also an international speaker recognized for her contributions to vascular ultrasound and improving patient outcomes