Featured Member of the Month (September 2021): Bruce Fearon, MD

Dr. Bruce Fearon graduated from University of Missouri - Columbia (Mizzou) and attended medical school at the University of Kansas. He concurrently completed his residency in Kansas City, Missouri, in Research Family Medicine while serving as a full-time Family Physician with Lees Summit Clinic in Missouri. Dr. Fearon has served as an Emergency Room Physician with NES Health and currently serves as a provider of venous care at Summit Skin and Vein Care in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Dr. Fearon is Board-certified in Family Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine. He is passionate about educating his community and local health care providers about the spectrum of venous disease and its signs and symptoms.

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

My interest in venous medicine initially came from a personal interest to help some of my family members. I started performing Vein Medicine on the side in addition to my family practice career and as part of a medical spa. As a family physician and having spent years working in an ER setting, I had no problems doing various invasive procedures. I studied and trained at vein meetings and with physician mentors for over a year before actually doing any procedures and even then it was with clinical nurse instructors with vast experience that helped guide me. It took me a little over a year of actually doing vein procedures before I made the final jump to full-time vein medicine. I have no regrets, and I feel very fortunate to be able to help so many people who have been needlessly suffering for so long. There is a real gap in the medical education process and the understanding of what we do in the practice of phlebology.  

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

I enjoy golfing, traveling, sightseeing, and dining out.  

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

I joined the AVLS in 2005 and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine in 2008. I continue to belong to the AVLS as they offer exceptional vein education in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere which has helped me from the beginning of my vein medicine career.   

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

AVLS was instrumental in pointing me to mentors and a network of equipment, trainers, and suppliers that helped jump-start my career into venous medicine. The AVLS also offers classes on business management and aesthetics which are important as many of us are still independent and run our own businesses. The AVLS also pushed for a certifying exam in phlebology so that AVLS members could hold themselves out as physicians who meet some basic standards in the treatment of veins.  With a ‘freeze’ in Post Graduate Educational dollars, it’s been hard for Residencies to add a specialty of phlebology to their curriculum even though most of us believe it is worthy of being a specialty all on its own.  As such it is difficult to find a way to be trained ‘ in venous medicine. AVLS is a good source in your search to become educated and trained in Venous and lymphatic medicine. 

Any advice for providers new to the field? 

There is a plethora of venous disease in the current population, most of it is Superficial vein disease. Superficial vein disease can be treated safely in an outpatient setting. If you don’t already do Ultrasound work in your practice, I strongly encourage you to work with an RVT or RPhS to ensure patient safety. I strongly encourage new providers to attend AVLS meetings and network with physicians, nurses, and equipment manufacturers. Many times an equipment manufacturer can help you by connecting you to experienced physician trainers. Find people who have positive encouragement towards you and your goals, stay away from Naysayers, and work diligently towards your own career in phlebology. Once you are ready, use knowledgeable people to oversee you at the beginning of your vein career. Stay in touch with other vein physicians and continue to learn. Don’t forget to understand the business side of practicing vein medicine. The AVLS is great at teaching you about this as they bring in experts who have real-world experience. Also, talk with physicians already running their own business - they can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls of running your business. 

What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

They have educational brochures for handing out to patients. They have contemporary educational lectures recorded and valuable as a reference when you need to answer some clinical questions. Educational journals and newsletters help highlight current topics in the field. They also offer financial support in doing some research in the area of phlebology. The AVLS has physicians working behind the scenes to support our medical career by interacting with various government and insurance agencies. AVLS is a great organization to support, as it supports you in every phase of your venous and lymphatic medicine career.