Pearl Adams Inaugurated as President of APAVS
Pearl Adams, director of clinical operations in the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, assumed the role of president of the Association of Program Administrators in Vascular Surgery (APAVS) on March 6, after serving as president-elect for two years.
As president of APAVS, Adams works closely with the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery and accrediting bodies that include the American Board of Surgery and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to ensure that program administrators are equipped with the necessary resources, knowledge, and advocacy to support high-quality surgical education. Adams plans to strengthen program administration in vascular surgery by offering targeted workshops, professional development opportunities, and oversight discussions.
Adams joined the Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery in 2012 as a patient access representative at a former departmental location in St. Joseph’s Medical Center. In 2016, she moved to the department’s Texas Medical Center offices, where she served in an administrative role and assisted with staff education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she moved to the department’s vascular surgery side, where she worked closely with program directors to maintain compliance with accreditation requirements and uphold the standards of departmental training programs, which include the Thoracic Surgery Integrated (1-6) Residency, Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency, Aortic Surgery Fellowship, Vascular Surgery Fellowship, and the UTHealth Houston/MD Anderson Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship. She oversees grant funding for trainees and directs the education and administrative team, providing guidance, structure, and operational support.
In November 2025, she transitioned to the role of director of clinical operations, where she works closely with Anthony Estrera, MD, professor and chair of the department, and Jeff Scott, director of management operations, to oversee the department’s clinical and administrative operations.
Formerly known as the Association for Vascular Surgery Coordinators, the organization was rebranded in 2020 as APAVS as the complexity of vascular surgery training programs grew and the need for stronger leadership representation became apparent. The rebranding reflected the organization’s expanded mission and commitment to professional development.