At the International Vascular Surgery Association (IVSA), our mission goes beyond advancing a medical specialty—it is about saving lives, building knowledge, and connecting expertise across borders. We believe that vascular health is global health, and the challenges of today demand a united response from surgeons, researchers, and educators around the world.

Every year, countless patients face life-threatening conditions such as arterial blockages, aneurysms, and trauma that require urgent surgical care. Our mission is to ensure that no matter where a patient lives, they can benefit from the highest standards of vascular surgery. To achieve this, IVSA brings together professionals from every continent to share research, develop new surgical techniques, and provide hands-on training that strengthens skills and confidence in operating rooms worldwide.

Education stands at the heart of what we do. Through international congresses, workshops, and training programs, we provide surgeons—both established experts and rising professionals—with opportunities to learn, innovate, and collaborate. By fostering mentorship and encouraging diversity within our community, IVSA empowers the next generation of vascular surgeons to carry forward a legacy of excellence and compassion.

Our mission, however, does not stop at conferences or classrooms. When disasters strike and communities face medical emergencies, IVSA steps forward. We send doctors directly to the field—to crisis zones and disaster-affected areas—where their surgical expertise can save lives under the most urgent conditions. By being present on the ground, our members embody the true spirit of medicine: service, humanity, and immediate care for those in need.

As an independent international medical humanitarian organization, IVSA also provides emergency medical care to people in crisis regions worldwide, including conflict zones, epidemics, and natural disasters. Our teams include not only vascular surgeons but also doctors, nurses, logisticians, and other essential staff who work in some of the most challenging environments—from refugee camps to disaster-stricken areas—to treat patients and respond to urgent health crises.

We also recognize the power of global cooperation. That is why we actively seek collaboration with international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and other humanitarian organizations. Together, we can maximize impact, extend medical outreach, and ensure that care reaches those who need it most, no matter the circumstances.

Collaboration remains at the core of this vision. We recognize that progress in medicine is not achieved in isolation but through collective effort. That is why IVSA serves as a global platform where knowledge is exchanged, partnerships are built, and ideas are transformed into life-saving solutions. From cutting-edge endovascular technologies to traditional open surgery, we embrace every advancement that can improve patient outcomes.

Ultimately, our mission is about people. Behind every lecture, every training, every deployment to a disaster area, and every surgical breakthrough is the patient who gains another chance at life. At IVSA, we are committed to ensuring that vascular surgery continues to evolve not just as a science, but as a service to humanity.