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Recently, America’s first dedicated CHIVA center marked a significant milestone. Professor Steven Elias, an internationally acclaimed venous disease expert, founder of the American Venous Forum Fellow program, and Editor-in-Chief of the American Venous Forum’s venous specialty, visited the Dr. Smile Medical Group headquarters in Manhattan, New York.

Professor Elias held constructive discussions with the founding team of Dr. Smile Medical Group regarding the imminent launch of America’s first CHIVA center. As a longstanding friend and collaborator, Professor Elias’s visit symbolizes a crucial advancement for the CHIVA methodology’s development in the United States. The dialogue focused on deepening collaboration, promoting CHIVA concepts among American vascular surgeons, and jointly developing local vascular specialist teams to facilitate the widespread adoption and standardized practice of CHIVA across North America.

Increasing numbers of American vascular surgeons are showing significant interest in the CHIVA approach. With the establishment of a professional platform, deeper resource integration, accelerated preparations for the New York CHIVA center, and engagement from prominent specialists, a new chapter for systematic CHIVA development in North America is now unfolding.

In June 2025, Dr. Qiang Zhang, founder of Dr. Smile Medical Group, visited Connecticut at the invitation of the Vascular Care Group, a renowned American physicians’ network. During his visit, Dr. Zhang engaged in face-to-face discussions with local vascular surgery teams, highlighting critical aspects of venous hemodynamics evaluation and the clinical application of the CHIVA strategy.

In his detailed presentation, Dr. Zhang shared advanced approaches to hemodynamic assessment, intervention path planning, and comprehensively outlined the fundamental CHIVA philosophy—”restoring blood flow and preserving veins.” His insights into the advantages of CHIVA, particularly regarding blood flow management and functional vein preservation, generated significant enthusiasm and robust dialogue among attending vascular specialists.

The CHIVA method, emphasizing vein function preservation and blood flow restoration, has been officially integrated into the U.S. clinical guidelines for venous disease treatment. An increasing number of American vascular surgeons are now actively exploring the CHIVA strategy, its diagnostic principles, and its implementation in diverse clinical scenarios. Standardized training and practice protocols are emerging as critical topics in international venous medicine dialogues.

During the exchanges, discussions extended beyond clinical practice into strategic collaboration and physician group organization, highlighting both practical and philosophical alignments between American and Chinese medical practitioners. Dr. Smile Medical Group is currently spearheading the rapid development of North America’s first dedicated CHIVA center. This pioneering facility will serve as a global training hub, providing comprehensive online education, hands-on practical training, physician certification, and international cooperation opportunities.

Through systematic knowledge-sharing and professional partnerships, Dr. Smile Medical Group is playing a pivotal role in promoting CHIVA globally, ensuring its sustainable growth, and facilitating lasting international collaboration among vascular care specialists worldwide.

May 8, 2025 – New York, NY
Global CHIVA Management (GCM), the international operations arm of Dr. Smile Medical Group, has been officially approved by the New York State government as a registered trade name (“Doing Business As,” or DBA). This approval grants GCM full legal authorization to operate under its brand identity in New York, representing a key milestone in the group’s U.S. regulatory and brand development strategy.

Under New York State law, registering a trade name is a prerequisite for conducting commercial activities under a name other than the legal corporate entity. With this designation, Global CHIVA Management now operates as the authorized trade name of Dr. Smile Medical Group, Inc., enabling the group to publicly promote and conduct its international medical management services under the GCM brand.

As a specialized medical management organization, GCM is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan and is responsible for the global strategy, compliance, and operational support of CHIVA centers in North America, Asia, and Africa. Its mission is to standardize clinical protocols, streamline operational models, and expand access to safe and effective CHIVA-based vein care around the world.

The trade name approval complements GCM’s recent acquisition of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) National Provider Identifier (NPI), issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Together, these regulatory achievements form the foundation for launching the upcoming New York CHIVA Center and managing a scalable network of CHIVA centers across regions.

“Establishing GCM as a legally recognized brand in New York reflects our commitment to transparency, compliance, and global medical leadership,” said a spokesperson from Dr. Smile Medical Group.
“This milestone not only reinforces our presence in the U.S., but also supports our long-term vision to build an integrated CHIVA care network across multiple continents.”

With both trade name and NPI approvals in place, GCM is now well-positioned to lead the expansion of the CHIVA center model—bringing precision vein care and professional management services to patients worldwide.

New York, NY – May 10, 2025

DR. SMILE MEDICAL GROUP, headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, has officially secured a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) National Provider Identifier (NPI). This designation marks a significant milestone for the company as it formally initiates its operations as a Managed Service Organization (MSO) in the United States, establishing a robust regulatory framework for the upcoming New York CHIVA Center.

 

In the United States, the NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a 10-digit identifier assigned by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to healthcare providers, clinics, and organizations. For organizations classified as HMOs, the NPI serves as a critical tool for managing healthcare networks, coordinating resources, and facilitating billing and claims processing.

As a specialized healthcare service organization focusing on venous disease management, DR. SMILE MEDICAL GROUP obtained the HMO NPI to establish a comprehensive CHIVA Center network spanning North America, Asia, and Africa. The NPI classification enables the company to streamline procurement, personnel allocation, and data management across its centers while maintaining a unified standard of healthcare management services for patients.

Before the official launch of the New York CHIVA Center, DR. SMILE MEDICAL GROUP will integrate the NPI system to ensure seamless coordination between clinics, physicians, and management services. This strategic move not only enhances operational efficiency but also sets a solid foundation for the future expansion of CHIVA Centers across the United States.

Key Benefits of NPI Implementation:

  • Cross-State Management: Standardizing billing processes and data transmission across CHIVA Centers.
  • Resource Integration: Optimizing procurement, recruitment, and patient data management systems.
  • Brand Consistency: Ensuring a cohesive management and medical network throughout the CHIVA Center rollout.

Following the NPI approval, DR. SMILE MEDICAL GROUP will continue to expand its global CHIVA Center network, with plans to establish new centers in New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities, delivering specialized, top-tier varicose vein management services to patients worldwide.