Yesterday, the ACC said goodbye to one wonderful president, Douglas Weaver, M.D., M.A.C.C., and welcomed a new one, Alfred Bove, M.D., F.A.C.C. Dr. Weaver has contributed so much to the College, leading ACC health care reform efforts, representing the College at various events, including at the White House, and supporting the College’s mission. It is sad to see him go – but I am sure he will remain active, especially with national health care reform efforts moving full steam ahead.

But, as the saying goes, when one door closes another opens ... I’m thrilled to have Fred Bove as our new president because he has so much to bring to the table on so many subjects.

As he said in his opening remarks last night, his presidency will be centered on bringing the focus back to the patient, as part of a very exciting initiative, dubbed “The Year of the Patient” (Watch a CVN interview with Dr. Bove on the initiative here). He said it best in his recent post to this blog, the emphasis of the Year of the Patient is "not only on respecting the cardiologist who provides continuous cardiac care to keep patients active and symptom free, but also in bringing patients into the care team and empowering them to participate in their care decisions."

The theme will resonate throughout national leadership and into our state chapters not only in 2009, but as a long-term theme for the College. Programming will be held that will strengthen the patient-physician relationship with both short- and long-term strategies, including greater promotion of our patient portal, CardioSmart.org. The College also will work with lawmakers to implement policies that encourage patient empowerment.

The College believes that the pathway to quality is through the patient. If we make sure that patients remain the focus during health care reform efforts, high-quality care will be the natural result.

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