FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. & NEW YORK, N.Y. (November 16, 2016) – W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) joined with leaders across the vascular and endovascular community in honoring five North American physicians as Pioneers in Performance. The biennial awards program acknowledges exceptional work in the field of vascular and endovascular therapy, including aortic and lower-limb bypass and dialysis access surgery.

The 2016 nominees were selected by past award recipients in four categories that correspond with different aspects of clinical collaboration. Through popular vote on www.pioneersinperformance.com, the broader medical community chose to award the following honorees at a special celebration at the 43rd Annual Symposium on Vascular and Endovascular Issues, Techniques, Horizons (VEITHsymposium®) held in New York, Nov. 15-19, 2016.

“Since its inception, the Pioneers in Performance awards program has united the global vascular therapy communities in celebration of physicians who demonstrate unwavering commitment to improving clinical and patient performance through active industry collaboration,” said Ryan Takeuchi, Gore Aortic Business Leader. “It was an honor to witness the celebration of this year’s honorees, and to experience once again, in person, the unity and respect that the Pioneers in Performance program generates.”

The 2016 Pioneers in Performance are:

Dedication to Sharing Knowledge with Peers and Patients

• Heather L. Gornik, MD, Associate Director, Vascular Trials, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Commitment to Ongoing Learning

• Douglas E. Drachman, MD, FACC, Director, Cardiovascular Fellowship Program and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass.

Dedication to Creating Consensus within the Medical Community

• John A. Kaufman, MD, Director, Dotter Institute, Portland, Ore.
• Mark H. Meissner, MD, Professor of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

Dedication to Analysis of Clinical Outcomes

• Benjamin W. Starnes, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Vascular Surgery Division, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

“The vascular community depends on the collaboration and dedication of its members, and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to honor these distinguished physicians,” said David Abeyta, Leader of the Gore Medical Products Division. “This year’s honorees encompass the passion and innovative spirit that our communities rely on, and are truly worthy of this prestigious honor—congratulations to all.”

For more information on the Pioneers in Performance awards program, please visit: http://pioneersinperformance.com/en/na

Now in its 43rd year, VEITHsymposium provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists, and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features rapid-fire presentations from world-renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies, and new techniques.

At Gore, we have provided creative therapeutic solutions to complex medical problems for 40 years. During that time, 40 million innovative Gore Medical Devices have been implanted, saving and improving the quality of lives worldwide. Our extensive family of products includes vascular grafts, endovascular and interventional devices, surgical meshes for hernia and soft tissue reconstruction, staple line reinforcement materials, and sutures for use in vascular, cardiac, and general surgery. We are one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984.

Products listed may not be available in all markets. GORE® and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.  AV1530-EN1 NOVEMBER 2016

Chempetitive Group for W. L. Gore & Associates
Andrea Vuturo
+1 858 457 2436
Contact by email