The 2023 cohort of the ACC Young Scholars Program took the stage with ACC leaders before the start of the ACC.23/WCC Opening Showcase.

Global collaboration was in the spotlight during the Opening Showcase of ACC's 72nd Annual Scientific Session Together With the World Congress of Cardiology (ACC.23/WCC). Reaching thousands of attendees both live in New Orleans and virtually, the session celebrated the incredible strides made by the global cardiovascular community in transforming heart care for all and recognized the important partnership between the ACC and the World Heart Federation (WHF) in convening this year's three-day event.

ACC President Edward T. A. Fry, MD, FACC, presided over the Showcase and remarked on the similarities between the College and the host city of New Orleans, where recovery and rebirth have been constants over the course of its history. "New Orleans and ACC face the challenges and opportunities of a new world together," said Fry. "Just like New Orleans' rebirth, recovery of heart care after the pandemic, may seem daunting, but in many ways, it is like a twist on Charles Dickens. "It was the worst of times; it was the best of times."

Fry's presidential address highlighted some of the ongoing challenges faced by the cardiovascular community, including the workforce crisis, the loss of public faith in science, air pollution and other environmental factors, barriers to health equity, wars and natural disasters, and a drop in life expectancy over the past two years, driven in part by COVID and the opioid crisis. However, he also spoke to the many opportunities that lie ahead.

 Engagement is the essential characteristic of professionalism and agency. It is the antidote to burnout. Engaging takes effort but reaps great rewards. It is sustaining personally and professionally. It is the essential ingredient for success. 

– Edward T. A. Fry, MD, FACC

"So, in the spirit of Dickens, if these are the worst of times, how can we be facing the best of times? In many ways this is exactly what ACC.23/WCC is about – to highlight the positives of evolving basic research, clinical investigation, medical education, technology, best practices, nonclinical competencies, and innovation that will be the solutions to overcome these seemingly impossible challenges," Fry said.

He noted how the ACC and partners like the WHF have "had to be nimble, resourceful, and creative to meet the immediate challenges, while also moving the fields of cardiovascular science and education forward," and provided examples of how this is happening through the optimization of guidelines, registries, education, publications, advocacy, and how and when care is being delivered.

WHF President Daniel Pineiro, MD, FACC, reiterated Fry's sentiments during his address and lauded the unprecedented strength, solidarity and connectivity of cardiovascular clinicians worldwide in rising to meet the challenges of the last several years. He also highlighted the importance of building a better infrastructure, investing in new technologies and innovations, expanding access to care, supporting healthy lifestyles, and addressing the social, economic and environmental determinants of health in order to prevent heart disease worldwide.

Pineiro challenged attendees, not just as clinicians, but as advocates, to push "governments to build stronger health care systems, create heart healthy environments, and reduce inequities in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease."

Both Pineiro and Fry also called on attendees to continue to collaborate and work together, sharing resources, science and expertise. "No doubt the challenges ahead are many, but as we will see at this meeting and in the years to come, the opportunities are boundless," said Fry. "There is only one thing that can stand in our way: Not engaging, not participating in and leading the process of transformation. Engagement is the essential characteristic of professionalism and agency. It is the antidote to burnout. Engaging takes effort but reaps great rewards. It is sustaining personally and professionally. It is the essential ingredient for success."

The session closed with ACC.23/WCC Chair Douglas Drachman, MD, FACC, providing insights on just how attendees can engage over the course of the meeting, whether virtually through the live streaming session or in person at venues like the Expo, Heart2Heart Stage, Lounge & Learn Pavilion or new March Matchup area. He also noted the ACC's ongoing commitment to achieving equitable cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all and emphasized a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the educational programming and engagement of faculty.

Last, but not least, Drachman thanked the leaders, faculty and staff involved in bringing ACC.23/WCC to life. "I would like to express my extraordinary gratitude to ACC.23/WCC Vice Chair Dr. Katie Berlacher, ACC.23/WCC Cardiovascular Team Lead Jane Linderbaum, and the more than one hundred members of the ACC.23/WCC Planning Committee for developing this extraordinary program," he said. "This is a huge team effort, and we are grateful for every one of you, and for all that you do."