Featured Member of the Month (Dec. 2022) - Delaram J. Taghipour

Delaram J. Taghipour, MD, MPH, MBA, DABVLM, DABPM, specializes in treatment of advanced venous disease, lymphedema, wound care, endovascular procedures, and aesthetic medicine. She graduated from Howard University School of Medicine in Washington DC, where she trained in general surgery. She went on to obtain dual master’s degrees in public health and business administration while completing a preventive medicine residency at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Taghipour then completed a venous and lymphatic medicine fellowship and is double board certified in phlebology and preventive medicine, certified in aesthetic medicine, and is a qualified physiologic insulin infusion medical director. Before moving to Oahu to fulfill a life-long dream to return to Hawaii, she spent time as a medical journalist for the ABC NEWS Medical Unit and served as an expert for the ABC NEWS Coronavirus Command Center in New York City.

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

I trained in general surgery and preventive medicine, so I went from managing life and limb to thinking about medicine from a public health and global health outcomes perspective. I wanted to find a way to keep our patients out of the operating room in every instance we could by addressing their health concerns upstream. My former attending/mentor, Dr. Kakra Hughes, a vascular surgeon at Howard University Hospital, told me about the AVBLM fellowship program and knew it would be a great fit. After completing the fellowship and getting board-certified, I am sure I made the right decision!

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

I am lucky enough to live in Hawaii, so I'm outside hiking, exploring, or enjoying the beautiful beaches every chance I get.

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

I have been a member of the AVLS since 2020, when I started my phlebology fellowship. I wanted to be part of AVLS to tap into advocacy, research, and community. I think it is so important to get involved with the direction of where our field is headed, and what better way than to become a member. 

In what ways has the AVLS helped you as a vein/lymphatic care provider?

I feel so grateful to have gained so much from my membership, even during pandemic shutdowns. I still had access to relevant training, virtual access to the last conference, and more. When fellowship was coming to an end, AVLS was the first place I looked for potential employment. AVLS has a little bit of everything!

Any advice for your peers new to the field? 

Phlebology as a field is rapidly evolving, and therefore requires quite a bit of flexibility and adaptability. I would encourage anyone entering the field, especially solo providers, to reach out to as many colleagues as possible to build a community. Don't be shy about asking questions, learning new techniques, and tweaking existing ones. If you're not a part of a journal club, consider starting one within the community you create for yourselves. I would also recommend sitting for boards. If we want to cement our specialty's credibility, having more board-certified practitioners certainly helps.

What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

One of the many strengths of AVLS is that it brings us together as a specialty, and not just as physicians. Being able to learn from NPs, PA, administrators, etc. is such a huge strength, and I'm grateful to be able to do that. The conferences are a great opportunity to do so.