The ACC has named Viet Le, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, to lead its CardioSmart patient engagement program.

Le, the first nonphysician leader of the program, is an associate professor of research at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a preventive cardiology PA. He has a bachelor's degree in exercise science/athletic training and a master's degree as a PA from the University of Utah School of Medicine. He earned the degree of Doctor of Medical Science in Health Professions Education from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

"In my 20+ years as a PA, I've focused on patient-centered care and high-level patient education to enhance engagement and health self-efficacy. With increasing medical options and complexity, it's crucial for patients, their loved ones and clinicians to collaborate on medical decisions," Le said.

He co-directs the Preventive Cardiology Clinic at Intermountain Medical Center and serves as an investigator on multiple sponsored and investigator-initiated cardiovascular clinical trials. He has authored and co-authored 50 publications.

Le's health care areas of expertise are patient-centered care, improved shared decision-making processes and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health and preventive cardiology.

"I'm honored to be the next editor of CardioSmart and excited to build on my predecessors' work, providing tools for informed decisions and supporting healthy life journeys," Le said.