Watch the 2025 Wylie Scholar Award video featuring Dr. Gaines and her innovative investigation on how microbial byproducts influence vascular health and dialysis outcomes.

September 5, 2025 We are honored to share Tammy Leitsinger’s A Promise Kept , a moving reflection on her mother Betty’s journey with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). From the first signs of diagnosis through the challenges of progression, Tammy shares her story of resilience and underscores the importance of early detection and awareness.  By sharing Betty’s story, Tammy highlights the impact of PAD on patients and their loved ones while reinforcing the importance of educatio

August 4, 2025 We are proud to announce the first CHAMPIONS research internship. Three UCSF medical students, Guistinna Tun, Francine Rios-Fetchko, and Andrea Sandoval, will be contributing to efforts to improve the CHAMPIONS community health initiative across California. These rising physicians bring a deep commitment to health equity, community engagement, and innovation in patient care. CHAMPIONS is an initiative of the Foundation to Advance Vascular Cures, and founded by

July 24, 2025 We are delighted to announce that Dr. Sara Gaines, MD, has been named the 2025 Wylie Scholar Award recipient. Dr. Gaines is an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Section of Vascular Surgery and Associate Program Director of General Surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Her innovative research is set to explore an intersection of vascular biology, kidney disease, and the gut microbiome. Dr. Gaines’ project, “The role of microbial ur