THROMBOSIS/VASCULAR TRAINING CENTERS
Annual Report 2002
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 $1600 to 1800. At present traineeships are limited
to a maximum duration of three months and are offered only to candidates
from developing countries who are cardiologists, neurologists or scientists
working in close collaboration with cardiology or neurology services.
In 2002 two trainees who had been awarded a fellowship in 2001 spent a period
in one of the recognized TVTC. Both are physicians interested in cardiovascular
disease. Their countries of origin are the Czech Republic and Thailand. The
chosen TVTCs were the Thrombosis Centers of the University of North Carolina,
and of the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute at the Boston University Medical
Center. In 2002, two traineeships have been awarded to candidates from Macedonia
and Iran; one application is pending. Training will take place during the
year 2003/04.
The main sponsors of this program which costs about U.S.$ 6,000 to 7,000
per candidate are the World Heart Federation and the International Society
of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 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, 2002 we had $ 31,619 and on June 30, 2003 $ 25,907 in the
account, administered by the ISTH headquarters. Excellent applications continue
to be received and we project to fund another 2 to 4 new candidates in 2003.
F. Bachmann, July 10,2003