Meet Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen

Providing Patient Care in a Changing Field

When Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen began her practice, she was entering into a new and growing sector of medicine.  “It was truly a dream of mine to provide great service, to do quality research, to contribute to the field of phlebology, and to provide education to other physicians. It’s becoming reality as I speak,” Asbjornsen told KeepCurrent.com about the opening of The Vein Healthcare Center almost a year ago.

The interview was conducted as part of a spotlight on entrepreneurial women working in the state of Maine. According to the piece, Asbjornsen was working at another vein center in the Portland area, but realized that she wanted to be able to spend more of her time doing research, quantifying data, and helping to train new practitioners in the field.

By establishing The Vein Healthcare Center in South Portland, Maine, where she treats all aspects of vein health for patients in all stages of venous disease, Dr. Asbjornsen not only helps to welcome a new era of health care in the field of Phlebology, but is making her own contribution through research and efforts to help increase public awareness about vein disorders.

Read the interview with Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen.

The Vein Healthcare Center – Serving Local Communities

When Dr. Asbjornsen opened the The Vein Healthcare Center, her goal was to provide patients, physicians, and the general public with an exceptional resource for medical treatment by a leading vein specialist. Dr. Asbjornsen is a nationally recognized vein specialist, member of the American College of Phlebology, and a board certified phlebologist. She received specialty training from leading phlebologists, and provides treatments that include ambulatory phlebectomy, sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation techniques, laser treatment, ultrasound evaluations, and radiofrequency closures. Such therapies are a far cry from the treatments of yesterday, when “vein stripping” was the considered the standard of care, and many patients' symptoms were left untreated.

As part of Dr. Asbjornsen’s dedication to advancing the standard of care in venous disease and treatment, she is helping a new population living with the symptoms and complications of all stages of venous disease live a fuller, healthier, more comfortable life. Her message to those suffering with the challenges of venous disease is that patients can benefit from today’s minimally-invasive therapies with very little pain and outstanding success rates when performed by an experienced, board certified phlebologist. By serving communities in Maine and New Hampshire in her practice, she has seen her dream realized and has helped many individuals in the process.

You can contact The Vein Healthcare Center for more information about treatment, or to find out about informational seminars for the public sponsored by the center. You can also get started with your own vein care now by making an appointment.

Dr. Helane Fronek: Leader in the Field of Phlebology

Celebrating the Pioneers of Vein Health 

During the month of March, we celebrated the historic achievements and contributions of women whose roles ranged from suffragists to entrepreneurs. This month, in keeping with the salute to women, we celebrate those who contributed and continue to contribute to the development of Phlebology as a medical specialty.

The U.S. has one of the highest incidences of venous disease in the world. Because of the widespread nature of its symptoms, it is considered a significant public health issue. Historically, venous symptoms were often left untreated. This was due to poor levels of public awareness, the lack of quality treatment options and discouraging outcomes. Today, public understanding of venous disease is on the rise. Injection therapies such as sclerotherapy, surface laser treatments, and other non-invasive closure procedures including EVLA have become the gold standard of care, and these innovative forms of treatment have transformed the way the medical community views diagnosis and treatment of venous disorders.

Leading the Way In Vein Care

Helane Fronek MD, FACP, FACPh entered the field of phlebology in 1985 and has been an integral part of its development. As part of her work in the field, she served as the Director of the Varicose Vein Clinic at Scripps Clinic, where she provided cutting edge treatment for the entire spectrum of superficial venous disorders and conducted research on venous leg ulceration, compression therapy, and emerging therapies for varicose veins. She is past president of the American College of Phlebology, the largest medical organization devoted to vein care.

Dr. Fronek was the first recipient of the American College of Phlebology’s prestigious Leadership Award, and she is well known for authoring The Fundamentals of Phlebology, a medical textbook used by most Phlebologists entering the field. She is a respected speaker and educator in all aspects of diagnosis and treatment for venous disease and communication in the medical arena.

While Dr. Fronek continues her work as a vein specialist, she has extended her contribution to those in
the medical field as a coach and consultant to physicians. As a coach and consultant, she focuses on aspects including maintaining balance, finding professional fulfillment, and enhancing communication skills. She states on her blog:

“My desire to help [physicians] recapture the love of medicine that made them want to become doctors is what drew me to the field of coaching. Coaching is extremely effective in helping physicians discover what aspects of their practice and their life no longer work well for them, and how to make the shifts that will align their life with their true values and goals. Being a part of my clients’ transformations is gratifying and inspiring.”

You can read more about Dr. Helane Fronek, or read about her Coaching and Consulting for Physicians.

If You Are a Primary Care Physician, Venous Disease Affects Your Patients

It is estimated that 80 million Americans have some form of venous disease. If you are a primary physician, it is very likely that you are treating patients who are experiencing symptoms of this disease. Read the latest issue of Vein Health News and subscribe to be sure you have the latest information about the impact of venous disease symptoms and its available treatment options.