Welcome
Australasian Vascular Anomalies Network (AVAN) NZ Meeting 2019
The Australasian Vascular Anomalies Network was founded four years ago after the successful ISSVA meeting in Melbourne. The intention of the network was to bring together clinicians and researchers from around Australia and New Zealand to grow our links and develop our shared interest in vascular anomalies. The field of vascular anomalies is changing rapidly with new discoveries in the genetics of vascular malformations and new therapies on the horizon.
We know that not everybody is able to get to the ISVVA meetings, and AVAN is a mechanism for local clinicians to catch up on what is new and share ideas and experiences, but we would like it to be more than this. Swee Tan and Fiona Smithers have volunteered to host what will be our most professional meeting yet. This will be a chance to share challenging cases, begin new collaborations and develop opportunities to gain access to the latest treatments for our patients.
We look forward to seeing you all in Wellington.
Professor Tony Penington, AVAN President
2019 Convenor Welcome
On behalf of the Organising Committee, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to Wellington for the biennial AVAN meeting - the first time that this has been held in New Zealand.
We are fortunate to be able to draw upon a wealth of knowledge and experience both locally and across the Tasman to put together an exciting program that covers many challenging aspects of vascular anomalies that we encounter in the care of our patients with vascular anomalies.
We trust that you will enjoy both the academic and the social opportunities of the conference.
Fiona Smithers MBChB FRACS
2019 Organising Committee
Dr Fiona Smithers, Dr Swee Tan, Dr Trevor Fitzjohn, Dr Helen Brasch