NATF is founded
Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, founds and incorporates the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Rethinking vascular education.
VLN is a nonprofit at the forefront of vascular health, turning complex science and advances in care into education, experiences, and conversations that matter to patients and clinicians. We’ve been bringing the vascular community together since 2006.
Circulating knowledge.
Saving lives.®
We bring patients and clinicians together to learn from one another—because better conversations lead to better outcomes.
From NATF to VLN.
Two decades of learning, connection, and progress in vascular health.
- 2006
- 2008
A national call to action
NATF hosts US Surgeon General Steven Galson, MD, MPH, as he issues the National Call to Action on DVT and PE.
- 2010
Investing in future leaders
The NATF Traveling Fellow in Thrombosis program launches. Over the years, it has supported 10 fellows.
- 2014
Expanding into atrial fibrillation
NATF expands beyond venous thromboembolism (VTE) to atrial fibrillation, beginning its move into broader vascular health.
- 2015
Growing patient support
NATF begins expanding its patient support groups, which have been central to its mission since its founding.
- 2016
The AFib Action Initiative
NATF publishes the Atrial Fibrillation Action Initiative in the American Journal of Medicine.
- 2019
Connecting cardiometabolic care
NATF partners with the Cardiometabolic Health Congress (CMHC) to expand clinician education on the relationship between diabetes, vascular inflammation, and thrombosis.
- 2020
Support goes online
NATF moves its support groups from in-person to online, helping it reach more patients around the world.
- 2021
Supporting COVID-19 research
NATF funds two research projects studying COVID-19 and thrombosis.
- 2023
More inclusive education
NATF launches a first-of-its-kind blood clot education toolkit for the transgender community, expanding access to tailored resources and helping patients have informed conversations with healthcare providers about thrombosis risk.
- 2025
Meet Vasculearn Network
NATF becomes Vasculearn Network (VLN), reflecting its expanded work in vascular health and related diseases beyond VTE.
Built for the way people learn today.
Barbershop Talks
Barbershop Talks is VLN’s original video series bringing honest, relatable conversations about cardiovascular health into a familiar and culturally relevant setting.
Explore the experience
The Lp(a) Experience
It combines short-form video, patient stories, expert guidance, interactive questions, and practical resources.
Explore the experience
Factor XI Learning Hub
The hub brings together expert-led education, practical resources, clinical decision support, and interactive learning in an enduring digital environment.
Explore the experience2027 and beyond
Designed for what’s next in vascular health.
Clinical
expertiseDigital
innovationReal-world
experienceEducation that
reaches further.
expertiseDigital
innovationReal-world
experienceEducation that
reaches further.
We combine clinical expertise, digital innovation, and real-world patient experiences to create interactive education that drives deeper engagement and meaningful insights.
By inviting patients and clinicians to actively participate, we gain a better understanding of their needs and use those insights to make education more relevant, impactful, and effective.
There’s a place for you here.
Bring your questions, your experience, and your perspective. Get to know the people behind vascular health.