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. Lee is the Chief of vascular surgery for Stanford Medicine. He graduated with honors from the California Institute of Technology in 1994, received his MD degree from the University of California, San Diego, in 1998, and completed his general surgery residency at Harbor-UCLA in 2004, at the time coming under the influence of Dr. Rodney White, one of the pioneers of aortic endografting. He moved onto Stanford University for vascular fellowship and worked alongside Drs. Chris Zarins, Mike Dake, and Ron Dalman, further influencing his long-term interest in aortic endovascular therapies. After completing training, Dr. Lee has stayed on the faculty at Stanford his entire career. He helped establish one of the first integrated vascular residencies at Stanford in 2008, and held key roles as residency/fellowship program director from 2011-2020, Director of Endovascular Surgery, and was promoted to full Professor in 2015. In 2021, Dr. Lee succeeded Dr. Dalman in becoming the third Division Chief of the Stanford vascular surgery group, now leading 21 full-time faculty, 15 trainees, and academic and clinical staff covering six hospitals in the greater Bay Area.

 

Dr. Lee also is passionate about educating and mentoring the vascular surgeons of tomorrow, winning numerous faculty teaching awards. He has hosted on multiple occasions surgeons from Australia/New Zealand at Stanford for complex aortic training courses. He serves in leadership roles for many national organizations and committees: past-President of the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery, past-President of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society, current Program Chair of the Vascular Annual Meeting for the SVS, Secretary-Treasurer for the Western Vascular Society, and recently completed 6 years on the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Lee champions clinical and translational research and has published more than 250 articles in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Annals of Vascular Surgery, European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Annals of Surgery, and JAMA Surgery. Topics have focused on innovations in techniques and technology for the treatment of aortic aneurysms and dissections, surgical education and simulation, and treatment of athletic vascular disorders. In addition, he has given over 500 invited presentations worldwide, and has co-authored dozens of book chapters. 

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

Dr. Moore graduated from The University of California, San Francisco. He completed general surgery training at that institution in 1964. He spent two years in the army in Germany, returning to San Francisco for specialty training in vascular surgery. Upon completion, he was appointed as assistant professor of surgery at the University of California, San Francisco and Chief of Vascular Surgery at the Veterans Administration Medical center. In 1977, he went to the University of Arizona to start a vascular surgery program and was appointed Professor of Surgery. In 1980, he was recruited by UCLA to head the vascular surgery program at that institution where he has remained.

Dr. Moore is a recognized expert in the surgical management of carotid artery disease. He has been a participant and leader in all the major clinical trials including, most recently, the CREST trial. He has edited the definitive textbook entitled Surgery for Cerebrovascular Disease. More recently he became involved in the direct approach to carotid artery stenting (TCAR) and was the first on the west coast to perform that procedure. This is currently being offered as an alternative option to carotid endarterectomy.

Dr. Moore also developed an interest in stent-grafting of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. On February 10th, 1993, implanted the first commercially manufactured stent graft, Endovascular Technologies (EVT), worldwide. Since then, he led the UCLA program to become a leader in aortic stent-graft clinical experience.

While he has retired from the operating room, he continues to see and manage patients in the outpatient setting, as well as being active in the CREST 2 trial where is serves as chair of the Surgical Management Committee.

Dr Kathleen Finlayson is a Registered Nurse with a Masters in Primary Health Care and a PhD in chronic venous leg ulcer management. Prior to higher degree studies, Dr Finlayson practised as a Registered Nurse for over twenty years, primarily in the areas of rehabilitation, community, and aged care. She was awarded an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship and in 2018 awarded a Fellow of Wounds Australia, in recognition of her extensive service and contribution to research and education in wound management. In her research career she has published over 140 research and professional articles. Over the past 25 years Kathleen has worked on research projects relating to lower leg and foot ulcer management and prevention, primary health care, chronic disease management, and implementation science. 

Delanie Nepia is the Chief Nurse, Hauora Māori Service for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, where she provides national nursing leadership to improve health outcomes for Māori and strengthen the contribution of nursing across the health system. She works at the intersection of clinical leadership, health equity, workforce development, and system transformation, ensuring Māori knowledge is reflected in the design and delivery of health services. 

A registered nurse with more than 20 years of experience, Delanie's clinical background spans general medicine, acute stroke care, intravenous therapy, home IV services, nursing education, and Māori health. Delanie holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing and is currently completing a Master in Māori Health through Massey University. She is a graduate of the Ngā Manukura o Apōpō leadership programme and has received awards for quality improvement and nursing education. 

Alongside her national leadership role, Delanie is actively involved in iwi and community governance and remains committed to supporting whānau, hapū and iwi aspirations for flourishing Māori health and wellbeing.