Dr. David Rigberg, clinical professor of surgery in the division of vascular surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has been named 41st president of the Western Vascular Society.
He was formally presented the Wiley Gavel by Dr. Ahmed Abou-Zamzam, Jr., the society’s standing president, on Sept. 16 during the 40th Western Vascular Society Annual Business Meeting at the Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, California. He had been elected president at the 2024 annual meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“I have to say that when I found out I was going to be the president of the Western Vascular, my initial reaction was that there must have been a mistake,” Rigberg said. “Many of my mentors and some true giants of vascular surgery have served in the leadership of the Western, and I am just so honored with this privilege! It means a tremendous amount to me to lead an organization that has done so much to advance our field and also has such a focus on trainee and medical student participation.”
As president-elect, Rigberg was active at monthly meetings, was seated as ex officio of the program committee, and served as editor of the True Lumen newsletter.
As president, Rigberg will preside over all society meetings and business as ex officio member of seven committees. The term runs through September 2026. Once his term ends, Rigberg will serve on the executive council for three more years as a past president. In his final year, he will chair the nomination committee that helps to shape the future of the leadership.
The Western Vascular Society promotes education, research, advocacy and leadership in the art and science of compassionate vascular health in the Western United States, Canada, and the Pacific Rim.
