One of the most incredible aspects of the cardiovascular community is that despite distance, demographic, geographic or socioeconomic differences of our regions, practice types, or experience – we are connected. We share and are united in a mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health. The work of this mission begins in the ACC State Chapters.

This past year the chapters have been busy doing a lot of work and there were some incredible wins in the states, including smoke-free legislation in states like West Virginia and Indiana, as well as an ongoing fight for tort reform in Michigan, Washington and Ohio. In many states like Pennsylvania, Delaware, DC, Maryland and Virginia, Chapters collaborated for their annual meetings – leading to a more connected regional ACC. Million Hearts meetings popped up around the country this year – with partnerships in Kentucky, Arkansas, Colorado, Mississippi and West Virginia and many others.

The Board of Governors (BOG) themselves accomplished quite a bit this year, including instigating the updated methodology around appropriate use criteria, assisting in the launch of the Million Hearts Campaign particularly at the state level and increasing opportunities for early career and fellows-in-training at ACC.13 and beyond. The BOG is gathered today in the city by the bay for a day-long meeting full of brainstorming and planning ahead of ACC.13’s kick off tomorrow.

However, the Chapters fun is just getting started at ACC.13. All Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs or Public Health cardiovascular professionals are invited to attend a special breakout session which includes free lunch this Sunday, March 10 from 12 – 2 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) in the San Francisco Marriott Marquis in room Golden Gate C1. RSVP here. Also, there is a ACC Political Action Committee sponsored reception for domestic Fellows-in-Training and the BOG that same day, March 10 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PT in the Moscone Center West Building Faculty Lounge in the second floor lobby.

Winston Churchill said that “the farther backward you can look the farther forward you can see.” Looking back at the accomplishments of the states this year, I can see a very bright future ahead. Cheers to a great meeting and a wonderful new “ACC year” for ACC Chapters!

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