Featured Member of the Month (Jun. 2023): Manu Aggarwal

Dr. Manu Aggarwal is a board-certified physician in Family Medicine and additionally, certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. She joined an interventional radiologist in 2010 and began an unexpected three-year training course in venous and vascular medicine. Dr. Praveen K. Malhotra trained her prior to retiring in 2013. She took over the practice and doubled staff including lymphedema therapy and aesthetic treatments to meet all of her patients’ needs. Vein Care Center Laser Specialists located in Lima, Ohio also has satellite offices in Findlay, Ohio, and Celina, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys adventures with her three girls and husband, exercising and reading. 

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

I have a rather tortuous story, if you will. I am actually board-certified in family medicine and joined an interventional radiologist back in 2010 to help him clinically. We found ourselves to be a great match and our team approach to taking care of patients medically, as well as focusing on their venous and lymphatic disease processes. I became pretty bored within a few months, as I was used to doing procedures, though minor, in my daily family practice. So, for the next 3 1/2 years, my boss-turned-mentor trained me. He added me as medical director under our IAC accreditation, worked with me in adding treatments to the office and evaluating our patients more thoroughly with ultrasound and medical history. It was an amazing time for me - like a second career in medicine. I took over the practice in 2013 and have added lymphedema therapy, wound care, aesthetic services and more to fulfill the needs of our patients. 

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

I have been a member since 2010 when it was ACP. I decided to join because I felt that if I was going to take a turn in my career to this, I wanted an organization that could represent me and support me in this transition. I knew a family practice was not going to be a long-term solution for me as I watched all but a handful of practices be bought up by the local hospitals. I knew I did not want to be employed and wanted to continue the freedom to practice privately on my own terms, so that I could continue to be supportive to my physician husband, and small children. 

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

AVLS has helped me be very inclusive in the promotion of the field, as well as in the education. I think it's an organization that is run unlike any other professional organization in medicine. Due to the diversity of physician backgrounds, they have really embraced and acknowledged this. In the beginning, venous in lymphatic medicine was thought to be only for specified fields, but they have really made this a field of its own. I never thought that this would be a full-time profession for me, but it is not something that you can sort of dip your feet in and out of. The leadership is heavily involved in reimbursement discussions, as well as guidelines, education, and so much more. AVLS is very inclusive of its members. You can be involved as much as you want because there's room for everyone.

Any advice for your peers new to the field? 

Lean on AVLS for information and take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available to you such as the training program. When I first joined, to now, there has been a huge transition of inclusivity of all fields, including mid-level providers. There truly is a team approach in taking care of our patients who have venous and lymphatic disease. I would comfortably say that any member is someone you can reach out to, and they would be truly willing to help you as much as possible. We have members all over the world. Go to their office and see what it's like if it's something that you would like to be a part of. Venous and lymphatic medicine is truly a commitment, and you can make such a difference in so many people’s lives. 

What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

There is CME, books, videos, lists of providers who agree to be mentors, scholarships, etc. So many offerings. I would start by shadowing someone in the field and really see what it’s like before you make a transition. So much has changed even in the last decade and there is more to come. It’s a great time to be in this field. This is a perfect place to start your journey! 

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

I enjoy reading, exercising, and evaluating the processes in my office that can be better.