It's been an incredible opportunity to celebrate the College and its 75-year legacy this year! Looking back on the tremendous strides we have made in transforming care delivery, delivering actionable knowledge, and growing the ACC as the professional home for the global cardiovascular care team, is truly inspiring.

What started as the vision of 13 cardiologists in New York back in 1949 has grown and evolved into a thriving organization of more than 56,000 members spanning both the entire cardiovascular team and the world.

ACC members are some of the most passionate and dedicated individuals – constantly striving to provide the best possible care to their patients, while also serving as mentors, researchers, advocates, educators and philanthropists. The College exists because of this commitment to professionalism, excellence and a shared Mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health for all.

Examples of members in action are many. Our history page on ACC.org and the Hall of Recognition in our Heart House headquarters pays tribute to the cardiovascular clinicians who have inspired and helped to build the College from the ground up, from the first meetings and live events, to the first JACC Journal, the first NCDR registry, the first Member Sections, and more.

In the last six months alone, members have played integral roles in our submission of an application with four other CV society partners to establish a new, independent Board of Cardiovascular Medicine; our successful and innovative Annual Scientific Session that included roughly 1,500 faculty; and the release of two new clinical guidelines in collaboration with the American Heart Association.

We also kicked off the newest cohorts for our many leadership and career programs, brought PAD screening and heart health information to communities in Atlanta, and the list goes on.

Our Member Sections and Chapters have also been busy advocating to protect young athletes from sudden cardiac death; providing a toolkit to help clinicians address hypertension during and after pregnancy; and providing global knowledge exchange opportunities for clinicians, to name just a few examples.

Looking ahead, hundreds of members will be arriving in Washington, DC, next month to meet with lawmakers as part of our 2024 Legislative Conference and advocate for health policies that protect patient access to care.

Meanwhile, members in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America are taking part in our annual regional conferences, which offer unique opportunities for localized learning, networking and sharing of the latest science and best practices. This is in addition to the incredible work that our Chapters, Sections and Committees are doing each and every day in support of our strategic pillars and major initiatives.

This issue of Cardiology pays tribute to this work and recognizes the true value that ACC members bring to the College. The ACC exists for its members – we are stronger, more effective and better because of the global network of cardiovascular clinicians who make us their home. Our success is your success.

As we continue to build on the legacy of those who have come before us and ensure a future that lasts for another 75 years and beyond, we look forward to our continued collaboration. Please continue to let us know how we can best help you and your teams provide the best possible patient care. Enjoy this issue!

 

Cathleen Biga, MSN, FACC
ACC President

Cathleen C. Gates
ACC CEO

 

Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, Patient Care Team, Leadership, Health Policy, Registries