URMC / Department of Surgery / Specialties / Division of Vascular Surgery / Professional Links Professional Links The American College of Surgeons The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. VascularWeb The Society for Vascular Surgery seeks to advance excellence and innovation in vascular health through education, advocacy, research and public awareness. The organization was founded in 1947 and has a membership of 2,400. SVS membership is recognized in the vascular community as a mark of professional achievement. Peripheral Vascular Surgical Society From a modest beginning as The Peripheral Vascular Surgery Club, it has grown from an original 19 to over 150 members. It remains, however, the only national vascular organization that requires specific fellowship training in peripheral vascular surgery as a prerequisite for membership.