Nearly 400 cardiovascular professionals from across the care team took part in ACC’s 26th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, in September.

The Legislative Conference has expanded over the last decade to ensure all voices are heard, including those of the entire Cardiovascular Care Team and Fellows in Training. The Conference also provided an opportunity for Emerging Advocates, Early Career Professionals and ACC’s Women in Cardiology Section to network and build new leaders.

The Legislative Conference has expanded over the last decade to ensure all voices are heard, including those of the entire Cardiovascular Care Team and Fellows in Training. The Conference also provided an opportunity for Emerging Advocates, Early Career Professionals and ACC’s Women in Cardiology Section to network and build new leaders.

The Legislative Conference has expanded over the last decade to ensure all voices are heard, including those of the entire Cardiovascular Care Team and Fellows in Training. The Conference also provided an opportunity for Emerging Advocates, Early Career Professionals and ACC’s Women in Cardiology Section to network and build new leaders.

Edward J. Toggart, MD, FACC speaks at the 2017 ACC Legislative Conference.

Attendees heard from ACC leaders like President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, Vice President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, Health Affairs Committee Chair Thad Waites, MD, FACC, and other experts in the health policy arena like Francis Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Institutes of Health, on the current state of health policy both nationally and at the state level.

Attendees heard from ACC leaders like President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, Vice President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, Health Affairs Committee Chair Thad Waites, MD, FACC, and other experts in the health policy arena like Francis Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Institutes of Health, on the current state of health policy both nationally and at the state level.

Attendees heard from ACC leaders like President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, Vice President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, Health Affairs Committee Chair Thad Waites, MD, FACC, and other experts in the health policy arena like Francis Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Institutes of Health, on the current state of health policy both nationally and at the state level.

ACC President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, speaking at the ACC 2017 Legislative Conference dinner.

ACC Vice President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, speaking to attendees at the dinner for the 2017 ACC Legislative Conference.

Thad Waites, MD, FACC, chair of the Health Affairs Committee, speaking to attendees at the dinner for the 2017 Legislative Conference.

Francis Collins, MD, PhD, director of the National Institutes of Health, speaking with an attendee at the 2017 Legislative Conference.

The ACC recognized Rep. John Lewis (left) from Georgia and Rep. Lynn Jenkins (below left) from Kansas with the 2017 President’s Awards for Distinguished Public Service. Additionally, the ACC Chapter Executive Gwen Goldfarb and Cardiology Editor-in-Chief and former ACC President John Harold, MD, MACC, were awarded Excellence in Advocacy awards.

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

ACC Vice President C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, presents the President's Award for Distinguished Service to Rep. Lynn Jenkins of Kansas (middle).

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!

Cardiovascular professionals from across the United States attended the 2017 Legislative Conference. Members paid visits to the offices of nearly 300 senators and representatives, ensuring the voice of cardiology was heard loud and clear!