Bringing together quality improvement professionals across the entire cardiovascular care team, ACC Quality Summit 2025 promises real-world insights, hands-on education and the resources required to drive meaningful improvements in patient care.

Chaired by Olivia N. Gilbert, MD, FACC, this year's Summit will provide actionable knowledge for attendees to take back to their institutions – from presenting real-world examples and case studies to discussions around resources and leadership skills necessary for systemwide change.

"I learn every year from the way that people are bringing quality to life locally and getting to look through different lenses," Gilbert says. "There's different ways of building a quality sandwich, so we're really excited to learn and grow from each other's experiences."

With several session tracks, a mix and mingle with quality improvement trailblazers, a packed exhibit hall and more than 200 ePosters, there is no shortage of opportunities to learn from peers and leaders alike.

Donald Berwick, MD, MPP, president emeritus and a senior fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and senior fellow at American Progress, will kick off the Summit with the Ralph G. Brindis Keynote. His address will explore the expanded definition of quality over the years, highlight how today's health care landscape can strengthen quality outcomes, and showcase opportunities for collective action in improving health care quality.

Other sessions throughout the three days will tackle how to determine meaning from quality improvement metrics, the role of executive management in elevating outcomes, the ways artificial intelligence is shaping cardiovascular quality and more.

Session tracks will also provide the chance for attendees to dive deeper into several topics of interest including how the 2025 Acute Coronary Syndromes Guideline is incorporated into ACC's Chest Pain – MI Registry, how collaboration with ACC Accreditation Services can maximize return on investment, and what new procedures are collected by the STS/ACC TVT Registry, among other topics.

New this year, "Quality Improvement 101: Building a Foundation for Success" will feature faculty members sharing their personal experiences with quality improvement projects.

"There will be three different faculty members giving talks on their personal experiences with quality improvement projects, leadership initiatives at their local sites and a standardized approach to quality analytics," says Gilbert. "Those new to quality or interested in revisiting foundational principles will feel empowered by a session outlining the frameworks, tools and best practices needed to succeed in quality."

Back by popular demand, attendees will also have ample time to ask NCDR and ACC Accreditation Services experts all their burning questions at this year's revamped Fuel Up sessions with a Colorado-inspired twist! Explore rooms centering around "Peak Productivity" in the electrophysiology laboratory, stop by for "Rocky Talkies" on acute coronary syndrome care, and more.

Besides diving into registry and accreditation specifics, the Summit is where quality professionals can take the time to connect with others in the quality community.

"Networking and taking dedicated time to ensure you are using your quality outcomes to drive operational efficiency and financial sustainability is critical," says ACC Immediate Past President Cathleen Biga, MSN, MACC.

Gilbert also encourages attendees to prioritize connecting and relationship-building throughout the Summit – an opportunity to broaden their view of the continuum of cardiovascular care.

"Use the interdisciplinary nature of the meeting to network with those outside of your direct clinical work to better understand all perspectives on cardiovascular care," she says. "Only then do we have the full picture to identify opportunities for quality improvement."

Follow along for more coverage of the Summit on ACC Social Media and be part of the conversation by using the hashtag #ACCQuality25.

Keywords: Quality Summit, National Cardiovascular Data Registries, Quality of Health Care, Quality Improvement, ACC Accreditation, Registries