Contact: Katie Glenn, kglenn@acc.org,

DENVER (Oct 08, 2025) -

The American College of Cardiology has recognized six outstanding abstract presentations as Abstract Award winners at ACC Quality Summit 2025 held October 14-16 in Denver.

The conference brings together the entire cardiovascular care quality improvement community to share insights, gain knowledge and drive meaningful improvements in patient care. This year’s winners were selected for their high-quality research that furthers the ACC’s mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health.

Six abstracts were selected as poster winners and will present their findings in-person to all attendees during the conference. Topics covered include quality assurance through registry data, impacts on care in resource-limited communities and reducing readmissions following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

First Place

Assessing the Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Risk Adjustment: A Comparative Evaluation of Clinical Scores Versus the Distressed Community Index

Ahmed Diab, MD & Alan Zajarias, MD – Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri)

• Tuesday, Oct. 14, 10:05-10:20 a.m. MT – Spotlight Theater

Second Place

Reducing Readmissions After TAVR Through Enhanced Transitional Care

Misty Theriot, BSN, RN, CPHQ – Lake Charles Memorial Hospital (Lake Charles, Louisiana)

• Tuesday, Oct. 14, 4:20-4:35 p.m. MT – Spotlight Theater

 

Third Place

A Quality Assurance Program’s Sustained Success: Continuous Impact of Leveraging NCDR Data

Megan Green, BSN, RN, CCRN – Hackensack Meridian Health (Hackensack, New Jersey)

• Tuesday, Oct. 14, 8:00-8:15 a.m. MT – Spotlight Theater

 

 

First Honorable Mention

Unmasking the Invisible Threat: Investigation of a Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Outbreak in a State-of-the-Art, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory in a Resource-Limited Setting

Muhammad Kashif, BSc (Hons), MSc, MPhil – Tabba Heart Institute (Karachi, Pakistan)

• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30-7:45 a.m. MT – Spotlight Theater

 

Second Honorable Mention

Safeguarding Cath Lab Staff Without Delaying Door-to-Balloon Time

Hamza Alkowatli, MD – HCA Blake Hospital (Bradenton, Florida)

• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2:20-2:35 p.m. MT – Spotlight Theater

 

Third Honorable Mention

Implementation of a Systematic Screening Protocol for Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Low-Cost, High-Impact Innovation

Alaukika Agarwal, MD – Staten Island University Hospital (Staten Island, New York)

• Wednesday, Oct. 15, 4:00-4:15 p.m. MT – Spotlight Theater

Learn more about the meeting and see the full agenda here.

Register as Media

Members of the media are eligible for press registration for ACC Quality Summit 2025. Media registrants will be required to provide appropriate documentation and/or media credentials as per the ACC Media and Communications policies.

To register as media or for embargoed copies of abstracts, contact Katie Glenn at kglenn@acc.org.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials, and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections, and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or connect on social media at @ACCinTouch.

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