July 4th, 1976: America was celebrating its 200th birthday – a free nation, indivisible and strong.

On that same morning, thousands of miles away, a small, awkward adolescent girl stood quietly in her family's kitchen in Tehran.

It was a kitchen filled with memories: cooking with my mother, listening to the wisdom of family gatherings, learning life lessons around a crowded table...

And through the kitchen window stood the majestic Mount Damavand rising in the distance, steady and eternal.

That morning, the sun broke over the mountains and streamed through the window. I took a deep breath. I can still remember the scent of those mornings in Tehran. Something inside me whispered: This may be the last time you see this view.

I tried to dismiss it. "This is only a one-month vacation to the United States," I told myself. "Of course we'll be back."

But deep down, I knew.

A tear rolled down my cheek as I closed that window – and locked it for the last time.

That little girl was me – almost fifty years ago to this very date.

Did I ever imagine the journey that would unfold? Did I ever imagine standing before you today as President of the American College of Cardiology?

Never.

My path has been guided by extraordinary blessings: Selfless parents who believed in education and courage, mentors who opened doors before I even knew they existed, sponsors who advocated for me in rooms I had not yet entered.

Finding cardiology felt inevitable. It combined science, urgency, precision and humanity.

And diving into research alongside clinical care felt natural, because our patients deserve not only the best care of today but the discoveries of tomorrow.

And here we are today at Convocation in this historic city of New Orleans, a city that holds special meaning for me.

In 1992, as a second-year Internal Medicine resident, I presented my very first ACC poster right here, on intracardiac imaging, with my mentor, Linda D. Gillam, MD, MACC. That moment changed my life. The ACC did not just host my presentation – it shaped my trajectory.

In 1995, searching for the right fellowship position, I turned to the ACC abstract book (yes, the thick printed one) and studied the index of presenters. Two names dominated the pages: Martin B. Leon, MD, FACC, and Eric J. Topol, MD.

I chose Washington, DC, to remain close to family and chose Dr. Leon as my mentor. That decision shaped my career.

In 1999, I returned to Convocation to be inducted as a Fellow of the ACC. That night, I stood here with my life partner, George D. Dangas, MD, PhD, MACC, and our first child in utero, now Katerina Dangas, MD.

My parents were there. My siblings were there. It was unforgettable.

To those being inducted tonight, take this moment into your core. You have earned it.

You belong here.

You have found your professional home.

You are now Fellows and Associates of the American College of Cardiology – for life.

The American College of Cardiology is more than an organization: ACC advocates for you, ACC protects your patients, ACC collaborates with our sister societies, ACC protects your profession, ACC educates with a global reach, ACC respects you as leaders, and ACC celebrates you.

The ACC is committed to transforming cardiovascular disease and improving heart health for all. This Mission is simple, but it is bold – and it is only possible because of you.

You are the magic. You are the secret sauce. You make transformation real for our patients.

We stand at a pivotal moment in cardiology. Artificial intelligence is reshaping diagnostics. Precision medicine is redefining prevention. Structural and interventional innovations are extending lives once thought unsalvageable. Digital health is expanding our reach beyond hospital walls.

Yet challenges remain. Young men and women are dying. Health disparities persist. Burnout threatens our workforce. Trust in medicine must be continually earned. Access to care remains uneven.

Innovation alone is not enough. We must pair innovation with equity, science with compassion, technology with trust.

And you transform cardiovascular care every day: in your offices and hospitals, one patient at a time, as clinician-scientists, moving discoveries from bench to bedside; designing pivotal clinical trials; answering the questions we face in daily practice; working with the FDA, payers, regulators and industry partners; publishing evidence in scientific journals like JACC; translating science into guidelines; turning guidelines into actionable knowledge; and delivering cutting-edge education and scientific sessions like ACC.26.

This is the virtuous cycle of cardiovascular medicine. This is how we transform lives.

So tonight, let us rise to the occasion. Transforming cardiovascular care for all cannot happen in silos. It requires collaboration: across societies, across disciplines, across institutions, across borders, across generations.

So I ask you:

Please stand. Turn to your neighbor. Offer your hand.

Transformation is not a solo endeavor: It is collective. It is collaborative. It is courageous.

Together, we will push the next frontiers and open new windows. Together, we will close the gaps. Together, we will restore trust. Together, we will transform cardiovascular care for all.

Yes – we can.

Thank you for your trust, thank you for your partnership, and thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President.

Keywords: ACC Annual Scientific Session, ACC26, Leadership, ACC History