In response to ACC’s significant growth and dramatic changes in the health care landscape over the last few decades, the College in 2014 embarked on a two-year process of thoughtful discussion and planning to transform the way it is governed. This past December, ACC’s Board of Trustees (BOT) approved changes to the College’s overarching governance process and structures that will be phased in through 2018. ACC’s governance redesign is committed to creating a more effective, strategic and nimble organization focused on centralized authority and decentralized decision-making, affording more decision-making power to other member groups and ensuring that the BOT focuses on strategic priorities.
ACC’s Governance Committee is composed of past BOT, Board of Governors and section members. It was convened to serve in an advisory role to the BOT to ensure thoughtful implementation of the governance changes across the College over the next few years and to ensure that the Board and its committees continue to perform efficiently and effectively for all members.
Who serves on the Governance Committee and what leadership skills and diverse backgrounds do they bring to the table?
Meet the ACC Governance Committee’s seven current members:
Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, FACC
Cleveland, OH |
 |
| Years in Practice: |
25 |
| Type of Practice: |
Interventional cardiology in a large group practice model |
| Years with the ACC: |
25 |
| My most recent ACC positions are: |
- Pennsylvania Chapter President
- Partners in Quality Committee Chair
|
| My top three personal leadership qualities are: |
- Creativity
- Passion
- Listening
|
| My most admired leader is: |
Vince Lombardi. He once said we can’t achieve perfection, but by trying we can attain excellence. |
Huon H. Gray, MD, FACC
Southampton, Hampshire, England |
 |
| Years in Practice: |
27 |
| Type of Practice: |
National Health Service and private practice |
| Years with the ACC: |
17 |
| My most recent ACC positions are: |
- Assembly of International Governors Chair
- International Sessions and ACC.15/ACC.16 Program Committee Chair
|
| My top three personal leadership qualities are: |
- Communication Skills
- Empowering Others
- Ability to Achieve Consensus
|
| My most admired leader is: |
Charles Darwin. He was a truly innovative thinker who taught us so much about human evolution and the need to adapt to change. We are also alumni of the same school (Shrewsbury, UK), though sadly that’s our only similarity! |
John Gordon Harold, MD, MACC
Los Angeles, CA
|
 |
| Years in Practice: |
31 |
| Type of Practice: |
Cardiology and internal medicine in private practice, and medical school faculty |
| Years with the ACC: |
32 |
| My most recent ACC positions are: |
- World Heart Federation Partners Council Chair — ACC Representative
- ACC President
- Board of Governors Chair
|
| My top three personal leadership qualities are: |
- Communication
- Building Teams
- Coming to Consensus
|
| My most admired leader is: |
Winston Churchill. He was the greatest statesman of the 20th-century and had a tremendous ability to inspire people despite seemingly ominous circumstances. |
Michael J. Mack, MD, FACC
Dallas, TX |
 |
| Years in Practice: |
34 |
| Type of Practice: |
Cardiac surgery in a hospital-based practice |
| Years with the ACC: |
10 |
| My most recent ACC positions are: |
- Board of Trustees
- NCDR Management Board
- STS/ACC TVT Steering Committee Member
|
| My top three personal leadership qualities are: |
- Experience
- Diverse Background
- Ability to Communicate
|
| My most admired leader is: |
Patrick T. O’Gara, MD, MACC. He was effective and a visionary during a turbulent year as ACC President. |
Athena Poppas, MD, FACC
Providence, RI |
 |
| Years in Practice: |
21 |
| Type of Practice: |
Hospital-owned cardiology practice and medical school faculty |
| Years with the ACC: |
18 |
| My most recent ACC positions are: |
- Section Steering Committee Chair
- ACC.15 and ACC.16 Annual Scientific Session Chair
|
| My top three personal leadership qualities are: |
- Listening
- Consensus Building
- Perseverance
|
| My most admired leader is: |
My mother, Bessie Poppas. She was an investigative reporter with a strong moral compass and work ethic who inspired those around her with thoughtful, honest leadership. |
C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC
Lynchburg, VA |
 |
| Years in Practice: |
26 |
| Type of Practice: |
Interventional cardiology in a hospital/health system owned practice |
| Years with the ACC: |
23 |
| My most recent ACC positions are: |
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Board of Governors Chair
|
| My top three personal leadership qualities are: |
- Communication and Hearing Members
- Embracing New Ideas and Positive Change
- Collaboration For a Win-Win Result
|
| My most admired leader is: |
ACC Past President James Dove, MD, MACC. He lead with integrity, quiet diplomacy, and honest, open communication. He was loved and respected by all. |
W. Douglas Weaver, MD, MACC
Birmingham, MI |
 |
| Years in Practice: |
35 |
| Type of Practice: |
Previously served as a health system vice president, but now serves as a performance improvement and quality health care consultant working on new product developments of medical and device therapeutics. |
| Years with the ACC: |
36 |
| My most recent ACC positions are: |
- NCDR Management Board
- Clinical Quality Committee
- ACC President
|
| My top three personal leadership qualities are: |
- Inspiring and Motivating Others
- Team Building
- Thirst For Learning New Things
|
| My most admired leader is: |
Angela Merkel. She inspires others to look beyond their comfort zone, is able to build consensus, believes in a multi-cultural society and is incredibly honest. |
|
Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, Committee Membership, Decision Making, Leadership, Trustees
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