Advancing Hemodialysis Access Care with AV Grafts: Surgical Excellence and Long-Term Graft Performance

John Ross, MD, FACS, is a distinguished surgical educator with more than 30 years of experience in dialysis access procedures for patients with kidney failure. As the founding physician of the Dialysis Access Institute, he has dedicated his career to advancing vascular access for hemodialysis, developing innovative devices and procedures, and promoting alternative approaches to access management. He and his team pioneered a comprehensive access care program that integrates patient care with physician and community education. Dr. Ross earned his medical degree and completed his residency at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He began his career as a general surgeon before specializing in dialysis access research and surgical procedures. A founding member and first vice president of the Vascular Access Society of America, Dr. Ross has been at the forefront of national clinical trials and research initiatives. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and contributed to several textbooks, including Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. In addition, he serves on the editorial board of The Journal of Vascular Access and the editorial advisory board of Endovascular Today. Dr. Ross has been recognized as South Carolina's only surgeon designated as a member of the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. His professional certifications include the American Board of Surgery, the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology, and fellowship in the American College of Surgeons.

Charmaine E. Lok, BSc(PT), MD, MSC, FRCP(C) is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto (U of T). She is graduate faculty in the Clinical Epidemiology & Health Care Research Program, Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (U of T) and the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University. Dr. Lok is the Medical Director of both the multidisciplinary chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis programs at the University Health Network-Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada. She is a Senior Scientist at the Toronto General Research Institute with research interests in patient health outcomes and functional ability in CKD, hemodialysis vascular access and cardiovascular disease in endstage renal disease (ESRD). Dr. Lok is also active in raising awareness of CKD and ESKD and its importance in public health. She is involved in a variety of local and international scientific and educational programs, including ASN, CIHR, DOPPS, KFOC, NKF, and Kidney CARE Network International.

Robert Shahverdyan, MD is an internationally acclaimed Vascular Access surgeon. He is board certified vascular and endovascular surgeon based in Hamburg, Germany with special interest and >15 years extensive experience in the field of dialysis access (specifically arteriovenous shunt), including being Head of Vascular Access Center for >7 years. He is renowned for developing innovative approaches to vascular access surgery, advancing patient outcomes, and contributing to cutting-edge research in the field. A prolific author and educator, with numerous publications in prestigious journals and active roles in international committees, including the recent European Society of Vascular Surgery's Vascular Access Guidelines. Skilled in mentoring and lecturing, with a passion for sharing expertise through medical schools and professional masterclasses, Dr. Shahverdyan is fluent in German, English, Armenian and Russian, with a proven ability to collaborate across cultures and disciplines. Committed to excellence in surgical care, advancing medical innovation, and fostering a culture of continuous learning in the global medical community, Dr. Shahverdyan was the first surgeon worldwide to perform endovascular arteriovenous fistula creation with both approved devices (WavelinQ and Ellipsys) and was part of the first in human (FIH) trial of the next generation endovascular arteriovenous fistula Velocity device, where he also serves as an advisory board member. He was one of the first adopters of endovascular AVF creation and is considered as one of the most experienced in the world. As an internationally recognized expert in the field, he provides you with best possible and tailored care, starting with preoperative planing, vascular access creation and postoperative care. Additionally, on his website he shares additional information, recorded lectures, publications, case presentations, and consultations for patients with chronic or end-stage kidney disease.

Professor Matteo Tozzi is an academic vascular surgeon with extensive high-volume experience in the creation and long-term maintenance of hemodialysis vascular access. His clinical expertise encompasses complex arteriovenous fistulas, prosthetic vascular access, and advanced endovascular salvage procedures. He has been actively involved in multicenter clinical trials and registries, with a particular focus on innovation in early cannulation grafts and next-generation hemodialysis access technologies. In addition to his clinical and research activities, Professor Tozzi is internationally recognized for his contributions to education and training in vascular access surgery and is an active faculty member within the Vascular Access Society (VAS).