It is an extraordinary honor to stand before you today as we kick off this year's Annual Scientific Session and officially close out our 75th Anniversary Year.

A thousand welcomes to all of you! The journey of the ACC is a story of vision, resilience, collaboration and success.

From its inception in 1949 by a group of pioneering cardiologists, our College has grown into a global community of more than 60,000 cardiovascular professionals.

Together, we have challenged the boundaries of what is possible in cardiovascular medicine and are embracing the responsibility of shaping the future of heart health.

Our 75-year legacy is more than a celebration of time; it's a tribute to the vision and hard work of leaders, innovators, scientists, educators and countless others whose transformative work and contributions have shaped this journey.

You are all part of that journey and help shape our success.

Last night's 75th Anniversary Gala was a once-in-a-lifetime event, honoring this legacy and those who have driven it forward, while also raising vital funds to ensure its impact continues for years to come.

Innovation is the cornerstone of progress, and as we reflect on our history, we must also look ahead.

Heart disease remains a formidable adversary, evolving alongside shifts in demographics, lifestyles and global health dynamics. The next 25 years and beyond will demand an unwavering commitment to innovation and progress – one that keeps patients at the center of every advancement.

Emerging technologies – artificial intelligence (AI), genomic medicine, big data and digital health solutions – are revolutionizing how we diagnose, treat and prevent cardiovascular disease. These tools should be embraced to enhance patient care while removing barriers to equitable access.

Let us commit to designing solutions that are practical, accessible and transformative.

We must rigorously measure quality, drawing inspiration from ACC's leadership in developing programs and partnerships focused on comprehensive quality improvement and optimizing care delivery locally, nationally and globally.

Collaborative AI, for example, may hold the key to supporting and enhancing physician-led teams by driving smarter, more efficient care while preserving the essential human touch in medicine.

Ambient learning – seamlessly integrating real-time insights into clinical workflows – has the capability to empower clinicians with the knowledge they need, when they need it, fostering continuous improvement.

To truly shape the future, we must go beyond early adoption; we must be the architects of ethical, practical and patient-centered solutions. By championing innovations that are accessible, transformative and physician-driven, we ensure that progress is not just an aspiration but a reality for every patient, everywhere.

This work can't be done alone or in siloes. It requires teamwork and collaboration at every level.

Collaboration is and will be our greatest strength. The traditional hierarchical approach to leadership in health care is giving way to a dynamic and synergistic structure: dyad leadership.

At hospital, health system and institutional levels, the pairing of physicians with administrators in a dyad leadership model fosters a balanced approach to decision-making, optimizing patient outcomes, and organizational excellence.

Beyond institutional leadership, global dyad partnerships can drive advancements in research, care delivery and the expansion of new technologies, such as remote monitoring and personalized medicine.

The ACC, as a global hub for knowledge and innovation, has a critical role to play in facilitating these strategic partnerships and creating a culture of excellence and quality.

This means working with our growing numbers of state and global Chapters and Member Sections, to lead the way in innovation, promote teamwork and deliver lifelong learning.

It also means collaborating with MedAxiom to help define a framework and best practices for care transformation, optimizing our NCDR registries and ACC Accreditation Services to help hospitals and clinicians fully harness the power of their data; working with long-time partners like AHA to ensure our clinical guidance is relevant, timely and usable; and so much more.

Quality is not just a priority; it is an imperative. Every action we take, every decision we make and every endeavor we pursue must be rooted in delivering the highest standards of care.

Sustaining this quality requires lifelong learning. From clinical guidelines and appropriate use criteria to newer forms of clinical guidance such as Scientific Statements and Expert Consensus Decision Pathways, we are evolving our approaches to addressing the complexities of cardiovascular care delivery and meeting the needs of clinicians worldwide.

We are also exploring innovative educational formats – many of which you will experience first-hand over the next few days – and we are leveraging new technologies, including AI, to enhance content delivery.

While we are profoundly disappointed by the American Board of Medical Specialties' decision denying the ACC and House of Cardiology's application for a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine, we also remain steadfast in our pursuit of new, effective solutions for assessing and maintaining clinical competency.

This important work remains at the heart of our Strategic Plan, and we are committed to forging a path forward that prioritizes continuous learning and best serves the interests and needs of you and your patients.

Our 10 JACC Journals also have an incredible role to play in these efforts, serving as the leading beacons for advancing global cardiovascular health by promoting a science-based and humanistic approach to medicine.

All of this work – Innovation, Quality and Lifelong Learning – without equity is progress without purpose. Despite our advancements, disparities in cardiovascular health persist, dictated by socioeconomic status, geography and access to care.

While we can't control our external environment, we can control our actions, and the ACC's commitment to addressing care disparities and mitigating the global burden of cardiovascular disease is unwavering.

As I have said every chance I get, we cannot control our environment, but we can and will adapt and be agile.

We will lead.

Our mission over the next quarter-century must include dismantling barriers to care, advocating for policies that ensure equitable distribution of cutting-edge treatments, ensuring our physicians have the tools to lead and investing in health education to enhance awareness of cardiovascular risks.

From rural communities in the U.S. to underserved regions around the globe, we must work to ensure that no patient is left behind. Telehealth, remote monitoring, alternate sites of care and mobile health clinics are tools we must embrace to extend our reach and deliver quality care to those who need it most. By fostering a global network of more than 60,000 members, we have a unique opportunity to redefine how we deliver actionable knowledge that empowers clinicians and improves patient outcomes.

With the support of ACC leaders, global partners and all of you here today, I have no doubt that we can implement strategies that ensure equitable access to quality cardiovascular care for all. The ACC is the most credible and trusted cardiovascular organization in the world, and we intend to maintain that global position.

As we move forward, we are committed to ensuring that our members derive tangible value from their involvement through education, professional development, mentorship, sponsorship, advocacy, research, community-building and team-based care.

We have listened to your needs through recent presidential task forces on workforce, member engagement, Section needs and global strategy. We have heard you and now we will act.

Part of this action is educating and empowering cardiovascular leaders. This is not just an institutional priority but a global imperative. Cardiovascular disease knows no borders, and neither should our solutions. We must invest in young leaders, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and in underserved communities right here in the U.S., ensuring they have access to the knowledge and tools necessary to tackle current and future challenges.

The ACC also has a critical role to play in advocating for policies that support workforce sustainability, protect patient access and reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease.

Our advocacy work at state and federal levels, as well as our efforts on the global stage, are more important than ever. We must be a voice for our patients, our profession and ourselves. As I stand before you this morning, this session is not just an opening; it is a call to action.

We stand at a threshold where history and opportunity converge. The next 75 years and beyond remain unwritten, but within this room lies the power to shape a healthier world.

Will you join us – lead us – become the solution?

Let us channel the spirit of those who built this College and propel it forward with vision, dedication and purpose.

Let us lead with innovation, ensuring that technological advancements translate into meaningful improvements in patient care.

Let us commit to equity, striving for a health care system that serves all regardless of socioeconomic or geographic barriers.

Let us foster collaboration, breaking down silos and working together to solve the world's most pressing cardiovascular challenges.

Let us be kind to each other and design safe, inclusive work environments.

And let us uphold the highest standards of quality, never wavering in our pursuit of excellence.

Thank you to my work family for being here today. You deliver amazing care day in and day out. And to my family, my true North, this year was made possible because of your incredible love and support. You are my rocks.

Thank all of you here today for your passion, your brilliance and your unwavering commitment to the patients and communities we serve.

Together, let's embark on this next chapter, ensuring that the ACC's centennial will mark an even greater celebration of impact and progress.

Enjoy every minute these next three days have to offer: engage, network, take risks, learn but have fun! And enjoy my city – we are thrilled you are here.