The Pulse of ACC | New Editor-in-Chief Named For JACC: Basic to Translational Science; Viet Le Named New CardioSmart Editor
Quick-read articles of particular interest to ACC members.
New Editor-in-Chief Named for JACC: Basic to Translational Science
The ACC has named Matthias Nahrendorf, MD, PhD, as the new Editor-in-Chief of JACC: Basic to Translational Science.
"I am honored to take on this role and help amplify the voices of investigators advancing the frontiers of our field," Nahrendorf says. "I look forward to working with the editorial team and contributors to advance translational cardiovascular research."
Nahrendorf brings to the journal a distinguished career in cardiovascular research, imaging and immunology, along with a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific excellence. He currently serves as the director of the Gordon Center for Medical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where he leads efforts to integrate imaging technologies with cardiovascular and immunological research, and as a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School.
Nahrendorf has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and his contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the MGH Research Scholar Award (2014-2019), the Basic Research Award from the German Society of Cardiology (2015) and the MGH Martin Prize (2019).
"Dr. Nahrendorf, as an esteemed scientist, energetic leader and creative visionary, is the ideal person to lead JACC: Basic to Translational Science into its next phase," says JACC Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC. "Building on the outstanding work of our founding editor, Dr. Douglas Mann, he brings a bold vision for accelerating discovery and impact in translational cardiovascular research. We're thrilled to welcome him to the JACC leadership team."
Viet Le Named New CardioSmart Editor
Intermountain Health cardiovascular clinician and researcher Viet Le, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, FACC, will serve as the next editor of the ACC's CardioSmart program. Le is the first nonphysician leader of the program.
Le is an associate professor of research at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, UT, and a preventive cardiology PA. He also co-directs the Preventive Cardiology Clinic at Intermountain Medical Center and serves as an investigator on multiple sponsored and investigator-initiated cardiovascular clinical trials.
Le 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. He has authored and co-authored 50 publications.
"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 says. "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."
"I am thrilled to welcome Viet Le as the incoming editor. I look forward to ongoing opportunities to continue to support him, the CardioSmart team, and the important issue of patient engagement and shared decision making," says Megan Coylewright, MD, MPH, FACC, who is completing her term as editor. "Over the past decade, Viet's dedication to CardioSmart, its focus and creation of new state-of-the-art tools has largely been under the radar. This role is both recognition of that past effort and acknowledgment of his skillsets that will enrich and expand the patient-centered helm of ACC that is CardioSmart."
In Memoriam: Benedict Maniscalco, MD, FACC
Benedict "Benny" Maniscalco, MD, FACC, a foundational leader of ACC's Florida Chapter, is remembered for his profound impact as not only a dedicated clinician and educator but as a visionary who helped chart the course of the Florida Chapter and beyond.
As president of the Florida Chapter from 1992 to 1995, Maniscalco led during a critical time of growth – bringing fiscal stability, introducing professional management, and expanding the scope and impact of the Chapter's annual meeting. He was also the first Florida leader to establish formal relationships with Medicare payers to advocate for fair and proper reimbursement – an initiative that paved the way for ongoing patient care advocacy efforts nationwide.
"Dr. Maniscalco and the other founders of the Florida Chapter envisioned a state organization that would unite the cardiovascular community," says Florida Chapter President David N. Kenigsberg, MD, FACC. "We are deeply grateful for his dedication and efforts in turning that vision into reality. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire us."
ACC Past President Carl Pepine, MD, MACC, further highlighted Maniscalco's impact, noting that he was a key contributor to the continued success of the Florida Chapter and a major influence on chapter and subsequent national leadership in the College. "His tireless efforts made a huge difference," says Pepine.
Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, In Memoriam, Florida, Leadership, Translational Medical Research
