Featured Member of the Month (Oct. 2021): Dr. Omar Esponda

Dr. Omar L. Esponda, MD, RPVI, RPhS graduated from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and attended medical school at the Universidad Central del Caribe. He completed his residency in Bayamon, Puerto Rico in Internal Medicine, next he specialized in Vascular Medicine at The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center and subsequently did a Surgical Phlebology fellowship at New York University School of Medicine.

Dr. Esponda is Board-certified in Internal Medicine, a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine in addition to holding certifications as a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation and Registered Phlebology Sonographer. 

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

After training as an internal medicine specialist in the island of Puerto Rico and later as a vascular medicine fellow at OUHSC in Oklahoma, I sought out further training in Phlebology at NYU under the guidance of Dr. Lowell S. Kabnick who was at the helm of the only academic training program sponsored by the American College of Phlebology in the US at the time, now the American Vein & Lymphatic Society. Since then, I have dedicated myself to the care of vascular pathologies at the bedside and in the outpatient setting.

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

One of the things that the discipline and practice of Phlebology allows is to have a work life balance and when not at work I tend to gravitate to spending time with my loved ones which include helping kids with their homework, BBQ with my cousin, playing dominoes with the neighbors or going out to dinner with my better half. 

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

Since May 15th, 2013, I have been part of the active membership of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society. It was that same year that I was sponsored as a fellow in training to attend the International Union of Phlebology World Congress in Boston by the AVLS as well. Joining the AVLS at the time was a no brainer, been in the academia as a fellow in training and trying to gather as much information as possible in the field made me the occasional superstar during rounds when asked the tough technical questions that I just read about in the Phlebology Journal or through CMEs at the society website.

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

Over the years the AVLS has allowed me the access to key knowledge either through the journal, CMEs, or scientific meetings. However, the one thing that has helped me the most professionally is the access to network with excellent caring physicians that actively participate in the society. 

Any advice for physicians new to the field? 

Go to a scientific meeting and start shaking hands with people and introduce yourself; don't mind being weird I guess we all are. Get immersed in the vast information that AVLS curates for members. Challenge yourself to learn and practice, aim high and seek diplomate status through the ABVLM and ultrasound certification for RPhS. It will translate in confidence at clinical practice; your patients will notice and be grateful for it.