Annual Report 2000/July 2001
THROMBOSIS/VASCULAR TRAINING CENTERS
The Thrombosis Vascular Training Centers (TVTC) provide
training in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases related to
arterial and venous thrombosis and primary (arteriosclerosis) or secondary
diseases of the vascular system. TVTCs have been established throughout the
world, some larger countries have several such centers. There is a TVTC directory
primarily intended as a help for thrombosis/vascular traineeship candidates.
Applications for a TVTC traineeship must include a curriculum vitae, a bibliography
and a notarized copy of a valid professional license. Recommendation letters
of three referees who are familiar with the work of the candidates are sent
directly to the director of the TVTCs programs. Successful candidates receive
an APEX fare air ticket and a monthly stipend of US$ 1400 to 1600. At present
traineeships are limited to a maximum duration of three months and
are offered only to candidates from developing countries who are cardiologists,
neurologists or scientists working in close collaboration with cardiology
or neurology services.
In 2000 five trainees who had been awarded a fellowship
in 1999 spent a period in one of the recognized TVTC. Three of these are
physicians interested in cardiovascular disease, the other two are PhD's
performing basic research in, or are collaborating with a cardiology center.
Their countries of origin were Georgia, Hungary, India, Iran and Russia.
The chosen TVTCs were the Thrombosis Research Centres of the University of
Milano (2) and of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the Dept. of Cardiology of
the Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm and the Centre for Thrombosis and Vascular
Research, Randwick, Australia. In 2000, four traineeships have been awarded
to candidates from Colombia, India, and Russia (2); one application is pending.
Training will take place during the year 2001.
The following three organizations are the main sponsors
of this program which costs about U.S.$ 5,500 to 6,000 per candidate: World
Heart Federation, International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis and
the Sanofi Association for Thrombosis Research. Most of the trainees are
junior faculty members in academic institutions and very likely future leaders
in their field. With a few exceptions, the reports of the trainees on their
learning experience have been enthusiastic. One trainee wrote: "the TVTC
fellowship was the most outstanding event in my life".
As of Dec. 31, we had $ 57,656 in the account, administered
by at the ISTH headquarters. The 4 candidates who have been awarded a TVTC
fellowship in 2000 will start their training in 2001. In 2001 two traineeships
have been awarded so far. Presumed expenses approx. $ 22.000. Excellent applications
continue to be received and we project to fund another 2 to 4 new candidates
in 2001.
E-mail messages, faxes or letters were sent to all directors
of TVTCs in 1999/2000 requesting updating of the 1997 directory listing.
Of the 25 Centers 18 have responded so far. It is intended to publish on
the website of WHF and of ISTH the updated directory in Summer 2001.
F. Bachmann, July 4, 2001