Health Equity Summit

The ACC's 2025 Health Equity Stakeholder Summit will take place on June 25 in Washington, DC at Heart House. The one-day intensive workshop event will bring together key stakeholders for important discussions centered around the theme of "Building and Sustaining Adaptive and Resilient Health Systems".

Sessions will thoroughly examine the critical business rationale for advancing health equity. Esteemed experts will present insights into the imperative of ensuring equitable access to health care, complemented by case studies demonstrating successful initiatives and practices that have achieved significant improvements in health outcomes.

Discussions will delve into innovative strategies within rural and community health systems, presenting evidence-based solutions informed by implementation science and community engagement principles. Participants will also explore cutting-edge methodologies designed to tackle the unique challenges faced by all populations, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in enhancing the resilience of health systems.

This Summit serves as a platform for knowledge acquisition and as a venue for thought leaders to network and forge collaborations to drive substantive enhancements in health care delivery and patient outcomes, ultimately shaping the future landscape of health systems.

Why Health Equity

The ACC's Mission is to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health for all as cardiovascular disease remains the #1 cause of mortality worldwide. Over the last seven decades, the College has been the epicenter for cardiovascular professionals to learn, grow and share, and will remain so as we realize the ACC's Vision of a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. The ACC is paving the road to health equity through our Health Equity Strategy with the goals to: create a culture of health equity in cardiovascular medicine; prioritize health equity in all ACC activities; and eliminate disparities by ensuring equitable cardiovascular care for all.

ACC Health Equity Pledge

I pledge to take action to support ACC's health equity vision to "achieve a culture of health where every person reaches their full cardiovascular health potential as a natural right." I acknowledge the negative impact of cardiovascular health inequities on patient care delivery, cardiovascular outcomes, and population health. I commit to work to transform my practice and the cardiovascular care that I deliver to be the most equitable for all.

Health Equity and Diversity & Inclusion Committees

The ACC thanks its Health Equity and Diversity & Inclusion Committee members for their work on the Summit, and in developing and implementing the College's overarching Health Equity Strategy.

Health Equity Committee Members

Paul Douglass, MD, MACC (Chair)
Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC (Chair-Elect)
Kathryn Berlacher, MD, FACC
Quentin Youmans, MD, MSc, FACC
George Sokos, DO, FACC
Nausheen Akhter, MD, FASE, FACC
Robert Roswell, MD, FACC
Kadijah Porter, MD (FIT)
Thad F. Waites, MD, MACC
Sharon Andrade-Bucknor, MD, FACC
Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA
Sharonne Hayes, MD, FACC
Christina Cantey, DNP, AACC

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Members

Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, FACC (Chair)
Martine Altieri, PA-C
Rachel Bond, MD, FACC
Matthew Carazo, MD, FACC
Edward Chu, MD, FACC
Ming Hui Chen, MD, FACC
Aubrey Grant MD, FACC
Larry Jackson, II MD, MS, FACC
Modele O. Ogunniyi, MD, MPH, FACC
Stephen C. Cook, MD, FACC
Sarah T Plummer, MD, FACC
Melanie S. Sulistio, MD, FACC
Amgad N. Makaryus, MD, FACC
Nosheen Reza, MD, FACC
Gladys Palacio Velarde, MD, FACC

Keynote Speaker

Karriem S. Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH
Chief Executive Officer, UI-Health Mile Square Health Center

Dr. Karriem S. Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH, is the Chief Executive Officer for the UI-Health Mile Square Health Center. As part of the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Science System, the Mile Square Health Center includes Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinics throughout south and west Chicago, Cicero and Rockford communities, with a mission to provide holistic, quality health services amid an underserved, urban community. The system includes primary care, behavioral health and dental services, as well as school-based health centers.

In addition to his work as a healthcare administrator, Dr. Watson serves as a Research Associate Professor in the UIC School of Public Health. He is trained as a cancer disparities researcher to ensure early detection, improved screening and cancer prevention in high-risk populations. His work has examined cancer prevention and control in rural Haiti, Cuba, Ethiopia and Uganda. Prior to returning back to UIC and leading Mile Square, Dr. Watson spent time at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the largest precision medicine initiative. His work as a cancer disparities researcher has been funded by the NIH's NCI, NIMHD, NHLBI and industry and foundational support. In addition to his work as a researcher, healthcare administrator and public health educator, Dr. Watson has deep engagement in the community. He has been recognized by the Chicago Urban League as an innovator in STEM, he has served on the board of It Takes A Village of Schools and former board chair of Community Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH).

Health Equity Resources

Access ACC health equity-related resources at ACC.org/HealthEquity, including on-demand webinars and related companions guides on topics like South Asian health disparities, LGBTQ+; latest research and health equity news items; education and meeting opportunities; and more.

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