The Pulse of ACC | Welcome to Camp Cardiac; ACC.25 Pre-Conference Opportunity: Renal Denervation
In Memoriam: James N. Kirkpatrick, MD, FACC
James N. Kirkpatrick, MD, FACC, a leader in echocardiography, a gifted mentor and teacher, and a pioneer in the field of medical ethics, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 1.
Kirkpatrick was professor of medicine, section chief of cardiac imaging and the director of the echocardiography laboratory at the University of Washington (UW) Medical Center at the time of his death. He was also a professor of bioethics and humanities, Ethics Committee chair and an ethics consultant for UW.

Kirkpatrick was globally recognized for his work and leadership in heart failure imaging, hand-held/point-of-care ultrasound, echocardiography in resource-limited settings, global health, and cardiac palliative care. He was also one of the few cardiologists with specific training in medical ethics and currently serving as chair of ACC's Ethics and Compliance Committee.
"Jim was a pioneer in the field of cardioethics before there even was such a field," said ACC Executive Vice President Brendan J. Mullen. "He embodied Aristotle's idea of 'the golden mean.' By this, Aristotle meant something like right balance, holding that at the point between deficiency and excess lies true virtue. Jim was a physician, philosopher, and friend, at the mean of which existed a man of exceptional wisdom and kindness."
In addition to his clinical roles, Kirkpatrick was an active volunteer and leader for the ACC and other societies, including the American Society of Echocardiography.
"Dr. Jim Kirkpatrick was an essential member of ACC's Geriatric Cardiology Section, co-founding the Palliative Care Working Group and later serving as our Section Chair," said Scott L. Hummel, MD, FACC. "He approached everything he did with warmth, generosity, and enthusiasm and inspired others to do the same. At the time of his death, he was mentoring cardiology fellows on an ACC Chapter Section Grant to understand care disparities in older cardiovascular patients from minoritized groups. This effort encapsulates Jim's core passions - he always aimed to make everyone feel included and strongly supported early career professionals, myself included when I first joined the Section. His loss is deeply felt by our community, and we hope to honor him by continuing the important work he started."
"Jim led with great empathy, love, and generosity. His selflessness was pervasive throughout all aspects of his career – as a teacher, mentor, physician, scientist, and administrator," said Bonnie Ky, MD, FACC. "His unwavering dedication to serving others, driven by his deep faith, inspired countless individuals throughout his life. The ACC was truly fortunate to have him as a leader within our community. We hope to honor his memory and legacy by supporting each other, with the same wisdom, compassion, and caring that he shared with us."
Welcome to Camp Cardiac
Roughly 70 participants in ACC's Young Scholars Program took part in Camp Cardiac at the College's Heart House headquarters in December. The two-day event featured hands-on training in CPR and AED certification by the Red Cross and point-of-care ultrasound techniques.
Participants also gained an in-depth understanding of cardiology, learned practical skills, and heard from experienced cardiovascular professionals about their careers. ACC's Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Melvin R. Echols, MD, FACC, provided the opening keynote on "Diversifying Cardiology: Making the Cardiovascular Workforce Look Like You."
A total of 114 promising high school and undergraduate students from nearly 30 states are part of the 2024 – 2025 Young Scholars cohort. Camp Cardiac is one element of the year-long education and mentorship program designed to introduce students interested in science and research to the field of cardiology.
"The Young Scholars program brings together the best and the brightest young students in the U.S., fostering the next generation of cardiovascular professionals," says ACC President Cathleen Biga, MSN, FACC. "These students are our future."
Celebrating Heart Month
February is American Heart Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about the risks of heart disease and the importance of identifying and managing cardiovascular conditions. Check out the following CardioSmart resources designed to help patients take small, but impactful steps to build healthy habits and protect their hearts.
- Heart-Healthy Diet
Healthy eating habits can have a positive impact on heart health and related risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. Download a CardioSmart infographic for tips on heart-healthy nutrition. - Regular Physical Activity
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to boost overall health. Visit CardioSmart.org/MoveMore for tools and resources to help patients stay active. - Avoiding Smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, causing 1 of every 3 deaths from cardiovascular disease. Visit CardioSmart.org/StopSmoking for more information and tips to help patients quit. - Vaccinations
Staying up to date with vaccines is a crucial aspect of heart-healthy living. Click here for a video about the impacts of flu on heart health. Additional resources are also available at CardioSmart.org/Vaccines.
Use Heart Month and CardioSmart as an opportunity to kickstart patients' journeys toward better heart health all year long.
ACC.25 Pre-Conference Opportunity: Renal Denervation
Get a jump start on ACC.25 by attending the pre-conference program, Renal Denervation: The Hypertension Care Team Approach, on Friday, March 28, from noon to 3:45 p.m.
Join expert faculty, including course chairs Joseph Ebinger, MD, FACC, and Eugene Yang, MD, FACC, for a review of the latest science on renal denervation as a treatment for uncontrolled hypertension and how to initiate advanced management care plans. Plus, learn about the safety and efficacy of renal denervation and understand its value as a potential option for your patients. Demonstration stations will also provide hands-on experience with renal denervation technology.
Registration for this pre-conference program is free, but advanced registration is required to attend. Register and reserve your spot.
New Year, New Chance For Certification For NPs/PAs
Registration is now open for May's Certified Cardiovascular Knowledge (CCK) Exam for NPs/PAs. Designed for NPs/PAs practicing in the U.S., the online exam's 150 questions aim to test the depth of knowledge across the entire field of cardiovascular disease.
Those who pass will earn the new CCK credential and credit toward becoming an Associate or Fellow of the ACC. The next exam takes place May 1-4 and applications are due by April 22.
Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Disease, Noninvasive Imaging, Prevention, Echocardiography/Ultrasound, Diet, Exercise, Hypertension
Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, Denervation, Hypertension, Echocardiography, Palliative Care, Mentoring, Mentors, Students, Diet, Healthy, Exercise, Certification, Credentialing