VAS-European Independent Foundation in Angiology/Vascular Medicine
About
VAS- European Independent Foundation in Angiology/Vascular Medicine is a scientific non-profit organisation that has been active for over 30 years. It was the first to promote and strengthen European education in Angiology/Vascular Medicine (used synonymously in Europe) and to advocate for its formal recognition as a medical speciality.
VAS- European Independent Foundation in Angiology/Vascular Medicine is a scientific non-profit organisation that has been active for over 30 years. It was the first to promote and strengthen European education in Angiology/Vascular Medicine (used synonymously in Europe) and to advocate for its formal recognition as a medical speciality.
This initiative was driven by the need to ensure qualified care for all patients and to enable effective and sustainable prevention strategies at all levels. VAS operates independently of economic interests, upholding independent research and education as fundamental ethical principles. As education is the cornerstone of its mission, VAS integrates high-quality training, research, clinical practice, and public awareness, while emphasising the social responsibility of science to help improve the lives of patients and the broader population, both in Europe and globally.
All the VAS Courses are under the VAS Education Committee and the VAS International Academy for Teaching (Faculty) and for Training (VAS Referee centres of Excellence), to guarantee highly qualified education.
VAS International Academy - VAS-INT VAS organises eLearning Courses to make it possible in a contest of working physicians to follow a demanding Postgraduate Course. Training (optional second year-Master's), respecting the hours in the program, allows for territorial organisation and distribution of hours, for the attendance of individual students.
Who We Are
The Organisation, which has created a European vision of Angiology/Vascular Medicine and affirmed its social role
VAS is a European Scientific non-profit Foundation whose mission is to contribute to the development of Angiology/ Vascular Medicine, in multi-centre co-operation throughout Europe and Worldwide, to change the fate of vascular patients and population.
Take an active role in the large European and International collaboration to give legs to ideas!
We're active in:
- Supporting growth, education and scientific training in Vascular Medicine
- Promoting and organising European vascular research projects
- Developing interest and awareness in European and national institutions
- Promoting the development of scientific and clinical Angiology/ Vascular Medicine Centres
- Proposing innovations in the Health System and prevention, in accordance with the WHO plans.
Centres of Excellence
- Centres of Excellence are part of the VAS International Academy of Vascular Medicine.
- They represent excellence in the area of Angiology/Vascular Medicine or in areas complementary to Vascular Medicine.
- As VAS Members, they comply with VAS principles
- They guarantee the quality of training for the VAS European Master and European Courses.
- They guarantee a constant and active collaboration in projects/programs in the different areas of action of VAS
- They are also invited to contribute to the Organisation, spreading news and information about VAS initiatives locally, at the National and European levels
- No conflict of interest has to exist
- It is suggested that at least one member of the Centre should have the UEMS European Diploma in Angiology/Vascular Medicine or have applied for it
- Renewal process after 5 years for the Centres without continuity in activities. The revision can be requested by the VAS Board and proposed by the Advisory Board or Education Committee.
Organization
The Centres can be invited or directly apply (see below)
- For VAS Training programs (2nd year European Master's In Angiology/Vascular Medicine; European Ultrasound Course – optional practical training-; European in Training Fellowship…):
- Before any Training program, the Centre receives a logbook for each student, reporting the main competencies and skills.
- An evaluation of each Trainee has to be documented by the Centre, after a final practical exam signed by a Commission. The date of the Exam should be confirmed centrally, and an external Member should take part in the Commission.
For Centres involved in Research, Awareness or specific sub-areas of Training : - Detailed agreements have already been defined or will be defined, following the specific needs.
VAS Accredited as NSA Partner by the WHO European Region 2025–2030
VAS has been officially accredited as an NSA Partner during the 74 Sessions of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in 2025–2027.
It is a great result in the vascular area, obtained after years of programs, cosponsored sessions and an evaluation process.
A VAS Statement has been published on the WHO website, as other joint Statements co-signed by VAS and presented by EPHA, by EFNNMA, by EUPHA and by IFMSA.
- Lombardy
UNIMI-H.Sacco-Via G.B. Grassi, 74, Milan
