The ACC has named John S. Rumsfeld, MD, PhD, FACC, as Chief Innovation Officer. Rumsfeld, who has been a member of ACC’s Board of Trustees and chief science officer for the NCDR programs, will be responsible for developing and implementing an innovation strategy for the College.

“The ACC’s focus on innovation sets us apart as an association,” said ACC Chief Executive Officer Shal Jacobovitz. “Dr. Rumsfeld has played a visionary role in developing the Veterans Administration’s health records and quality management system and in the management of the College’s NCDR registries, ensuring the registries continue to be relevant and successful in today’s health care environment. We look forward to him bringing this vision and passion to bear on broader ACC efforts to transform care and improve heart health.”  

As Chief Innovation Officer, Rumsfeld will serve as an innovation ambassador for the ACC and evaluate potential innovative solutions that can advance ACC’s mission to improve cardiovascular care and health.  He will work closely with all divisions of the ACC, including science and quality, education, advocacy and membership to evaluate and implement leading-edge ideas that will create value for ACC members and the health care system.

“Advances in technology and major changes in the current health care environment create a need, and opportunity, to identify and implement innovative ways to advance cardiovascular medicine,” Rumsfeld said. “From the generation of scientific evidence that informs our clinical practice guidelines, to the evolution of our clinical registry programs, to informing cardiovascular quality of care and optimizing patient outcomes; to the future of education; there are massive opportunities to integrate innovation to propel cardiovascular care. The ACC is in an ideal position for this, as the home for cardiovascular professionals and as a leader in science, quality and education.”

Rumsfeld received his medical degree from the University of Chicago and doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Colorado. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and cardiology fellowship at the University of Colorado. Rumsfeld will step down from his position as the national director for cardiology for the U.S. Veterans Health Administration to assume the role of ACC Chief Innovation Officer, effective January 2016. He will continue with his clinical work at the Denver VA Medical Center and his academic activities as professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 

Keywords: Delivery of Health Care, Fellowships and Scholarships, Internal Medicine, Registries, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Ursidae, Veterans Health

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