RARE DISEASES CLINICAL RESEARCH NETWORK
Advancing Rare Disorders: Vascular mAlformation Research Network with CaNVAS |  |
Strengthening research and improving care for people living with vascular malformations, conditions that happen when blood vessels and lymph vessels grow in an abnormal way that causes an immature vessel, which is usually caused by changes in certain genes that control how cells grow and multiply. | |
Principal Investigators
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
THE
NUMBERS
What was your consortium's most significant achievement from the past year?
Michael R. Jeng, MD, Principal Investigator, ARDVARC: The ARDVARC Career Enhancement Core (CEC) successfully launched the Arkansas Children's Hospital fourth-year medical student Vascular Anomalies Elective (ACGME accredited), which represents an important milestone in developing the next generation of rare disease clinicians and investigators. The first student began the rotation on July 6, 2026, and eight medical students have applied. The elective provides immersive, multidisciplinary exposure to the diagnosis and management of vascular anomalies while introducing students to clinical and translational research in rare diseases. By engaging learners early in their careers, the program raises awareness of the ARDVARC target diseases as well as the broader spectrum of vascular anomalies and encourages students to consider careers in pediatric and adult rare disease medicine, research, and multidisciplinary care.
What did this achievement accomplish?
Dr. Jeng: The Vascular Anomalies Elective begins to expose fourth-year medical students to vascular anomalies, allowing them to gain exposure and a better awareness of the vascular anomalies as rare disease entities.
How will this impact the rare disease community?
Dr. Jeng: This elective strengthens the future workforce dedicated to caring for individuals with rare vascular anomalies across the lifespan. Students gain firsthand experience caring for both pediatric and adult patients through collaboration with Arkansas Children's Hospital, reinforcing the importance of coordinated transition and lifelong multidisciplinary care. Early exposure to rare diseases, patient advocacy, and research helps cultivate future clinicians and physician-scientists who are equipped to improve diagnosis, expand access to specialized care, and advance research for patients with rare vascular disorders. Finally, we feel this exposure with faculty who are excited and gain professional reward from these patients and diseases will inspire future clinicians and researchers to pursue careers focused on rare diseases.
How will this advance the goals of your consortium and/or the RDCRN at large?
Dr. Jeng: This initiative directly supports the ARDVARC Career Enhancement Core and the RDCRN mission by expanding the pipeline of future rare disease investigators and multidisciplinary clinicians. The elective integrates clinical education, mentorship, scholarly activity, and exposure to ongoing ARDVARC research, creating opportunities for students to participate in rare disease research early in their training. By fostering collaboration across specialties and introducing learners to the infrastructure of an RDCRN site, the program advances RDCRN's goals of developing the next generation of investigators, increasing awareness of rare diseases, promoting collaborative research, and ultimately improving outcomes for patients with rare vascular anomalies.
Patient Impact Story
