Featured Member of the Month (Aug. 2021): Denise Abernethy, MD, RPhS

Dr. Denise Abernethy graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and went to medical school at the Northeast Ohio Medical University in Akron, Ohio. She completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Emergency Medicine. Upon graduation, she became a partner of a democratic group that staffed seven southeast Wisconsin area hospital Emergency Departments and urgent care facilities. She has served as the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital in Brookfield, Wisconsin prior to pursuing venous and lymphatic medicine. In addition to working with several AVLS mentors, she attended a vein medical mission trip to Honduras in 2019. Dr. Abernethy currently serves as a physician preceptor for Medtronic teaching new physicians interested in venous medicine and catheter-based therapies.

How and why did you start practicing in the field of vein care?

I have been practicing Emergency Medicine for the past 13 years. EM has been a specialty that has embraced the use of ultrasound for timely diagnosis and performing critical procedures. In a given shift, I loved that I could diagnose a ruptured AAA, a lacerated liver, or even a retinal detachment, with a simple probe. Unfortunately, there are downsides to EM (like any specialty) that began to outweigh the reasons I went into the field.  When I learned there was a whole field of office-based, ultrasound-guided procedures that could help patients with diseases that I could actually treat (and not just refer to another specialist), I started looking into it. Realizing there were limited options for post residency training, I signed up for the 2017 AVLS Congress, just to see what it was all about. It was there that I met and spoke to many physicians that inspired me to pursue venous and lymphatic medicine. In 2018, I opened my own practice while continuing to work in the ED (on nights, weekends, and holidays). At the beginning of the pandemic, I closed my clinic to go back to the ED where I felt most needed. A couple of months later, I reopened and have been growing since. I now have two locations and will be "retiring" from the ED this fall. It has not been easy, but it has been totally worth it. 

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?

My husband and I have been married for 20 years and we have two children. I enjoy playing tennis and running. We are avid snow skiers and both children are competitive ski racers. Throughout the year, we travel with our son to local, regional, and national kart races throughout the year. My daughter and I try to travel and we like to binge watch Netflix series in our free time.

How long have you been a member of the AVLS and why did you decide to join?

I joined right away in 2017. It was integral to meeting the network of people that helped point me in the right direction. My husband, who is also my practice manager, and not clinical, found a network of support with vendors, billing experts, and consultants to help with the business side of making the clinic successful. 

In what ways has the AVLS helped you as a physician?

The educational resources have provided everything I need to sit for the ABVLM, as well as, completing the RPhS exam. The webinars and updates keep me informed about policies and the forum is nice for information sharing. Most importantly, AVLS is doing the hard work of advocacy necessary to maintain the integrity and financial viability of the specialty. 

Any advice for providers new to the field?

Go to the New Member Reception at the Annual Congress and network with as many members as you can. 

What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

In addition to the networking and educational resources, the policy and advocacy updates are a benefit to all of us no matter where or in what setting you practice. AVLS has a seat at the table and represents us well.