"This is truly a unique and special moment in the history of the American College of Cardiology," said ACC President Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC, in kicking off the College's 71st Annual Scientific Session during Saturday's Opening Showcase. "After coming together virtually the last two years due to the COVID pandemic, it is fitting we are able to be here today – in person and in ACC's hometown of Washington, DC."

The Opening Showcase, which reached thousands of attendees attending the meeting both live and virtually, celebrated the safe return to an in-person event, the unique lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the strength, and resilience shown by the cardiovascular community over the last two years.

There were also sobering moments recognizing the war in Ukraine and its tragic impacts on millions of refugees, as well as the countless individuals who lost their lives to COVID-19 during the pandemic. Itchhaporia also recognized the lives and legacies of ACC Past Presidents C. Richard Conti, MD, MACC; Alfred A. Bove, MD, PhD, MACC; John Ross Jr., MD, MACC; and William L. Winters Jr, MD, MACC.

After coming together virtually the last two years due to the COVID pandemic, it is fitting we are able to be here today – in person and in ACC's hometown of Washington, DC.  

Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC

Itchhaporia's Presidential Address centered around the concept of "GRACE" – Gratitude, Resilience, Aspiration, Courage and Empathy. She highlighted the College's resilience in quickly embracing digital transformation, advocating for health policy solutions to protect patient access to care, and finding innovative ways to create and foster connections.

She also underscored the numerous ways the ACC has aspired to "build a better College and a better profession," whether optimizing its NCDR registries and clinical guideline processes, continuing to help members meet Maintenance of Certification requirements with the Collaborative Maintenance Pathway option, or fostering diversity, equity and inclusion among the next generation of cardiovascular clinicians and leaders.

The need for courage as the profession looks to transform from within, restore public faith in science, and lead the way in achieving the "Quintuple Aim" of better care, improved outcomes, lower costs, clinician well-being and health equity, was also a central theme in her talk. She offered the lessons learned from the TAVR odyssey over the last 20 years as a model for successful disruptive innovation.

Itchhaporia ended her remarks by calling for empathy. "More than at any time in history we must have empathy to achieve high-quality cardiovascular care," she said. "Empathy for our patients, families, care teams, colleagues and for ourselves."

The number of registrations for ACC.22 has been remarkably strong – a clear indication that cardiovascular professionals and our industry partners value the opportunity for in-person education, robust discussions of evolving scientific research, collaboration, and networking with respected colleagues from around the world.   

Pamela B. Morris, MD, FACC

ACC.22 Chair Pamela B. Morris, MD, FACC, closed out the Session with a closer look at the many highlights from the meeting, including the robust Late-Breaking Clinical Trial and Featured Clinical Research sessions, the comprehensive ACC.22 Virtual featuring live-stream and on-demand content across six dedicated channels, special Lounge & Learn programming, and the exciting Expo featuring more than 215 companies showcasing the latest in innovation and treatment strategies.

"The number of registrations for ACC.22 has been remarkably strong – a clear indication that cardiovascular professionals and our industry partners value the opportunity for in-person education, robust discussions of evolving scientific research, collaboration, and networking with respected colleagues from around the world," Morris said. "To the many thousands able to make the journey here to DC and to those joining us virtually from all corners of the globe, we thank you!"