Birmingham VA surgeon awarded visiting professorship

Dr. Spangler, a vascular surgeon who has served the Birmingham VA Health Care System since 2016, will travel in the coming year to the University of Pittsburgh and its affiliate Pittsburgh VA Medical Center to contribute as an ambassador of the AVAS and share her research. Her current study aims to identify gaps and implement changes like long-term care of aortic aneurysms in Veterans.

“Visiting professorships allow us to share our research and clinical experiences with our VA surgery colleagues across the country and learn how other sites achieve excellent Veteran care and approach challenges,” said Spangler. 

The AVAS Visiting Professorship aims to attract highly accomplished early career VA surgeons making significant contributions within their field. AVAS selects five VA surgeons each year to serve as the AVAS Visiting Professor. The selected surgeons present their academic missions at one of the host institutions of Stanford University, University of Wisconsin, VA Boston Health Care System, University of Pittsburgh, or Yale University.

“Our VA surgeons are exceptional, and we are proud to have Dr. Spangler represent Birmingham with her research,” said Dr. Andrew Sellers, BVAHCS Chief of Staff. “This opportunity provides insight into best practices utilized throughout the VA to improve our quality of health care for Veterans. To be one of only five surgeons selected speaks to Dr. Spangler's unique qualifications and accomplishments."

During her rotations in medical school, Spangler attended the University of Pittsburgh and requested the institution in part due to overlapping research interests with vascular and non-vascular surgery faculty at the site. 

“I’m excited for this opportunity to connect with other VA surgeons,” said Spangler. “To be able to share my research and help further advance care for our Veterans means so much to me.”