The crucible of the COVID-19 pandemic has tested our mettle, individually and collectively. The challenges posed by the pandemic have forever changed us both personally and professionally.

On the positive side, COVID-19 has underscored the power of the cardiovascular community to quickly unite around a shared goal and come together for patients and for each other. We have witnessed countless examples of resilience and personal strength, collaboration and teamwork, and an unprecedented amount of selflessness as clinicians worldwide worked tirelessly to serve their patients and their communities.

The pandemic also has revealed to some, and reinforced for many, the deep inequities in health and health care in the U.S. Now we are tasked as individuals, a community, as a professional society to advocate for and bring forward the change for an equitable health care system.

Together we've shared the joys and the sorrows; we've shared the heartache of our colleagues, patients and communities we serve – and relied on our ACC community for strength and support. The past year has brought us together and strengthened the ACC community in ways never imagined.

We are connected forever, through the joys and the heartache, through the service and the sacrifice. We are community. We are #TheFaceOfCardiology. Share your photos on Twitter and don't forget to use #CardiologyMag and tag @ACCinTouch.

A heartfelt thank you to all our members and health care professionals around the world who continue to work tirelessly to help patients and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an honor to be your ACC.