This post was authored by William Zoghbi, MD, MACC, immediate past president of the ACC.

It’s been a busy time for ACC internationally. ACC Vice President Kim Allan Williams, Sr., MD, FACC, recently returned from the Argentine Federation of Cardiology Congress, where he gave the first Dr. Ernesto Paolaso Memorial lecture. Dr. Paolaso was a cardiology luminary who guided the start of interventional cardiology in Argentina, but was sadly killed in a car accident two months ago. This honor given to Dr. Williams exemplifies the deep and meaningful connections that have been built with our Argentina Chapter. Meanwhile, ACC President John Harold is currently across the pond in London (blog post coming soon). As for me, I recently returned from a trip to the Philippines where I attended the highly successful 44th Philippines Heart Association (PHA) Scientific Session and had the privilege of helping to launch the ACC Philippines Chapter. (The ACC how has 7,300 international members and 27 Chapters around the world!)

The PHA is a strong organization, with approximately 1,600 members mostly concentrated in the large cities (the country is an archipelago with over 7,000 islands). Many of the physicians, including nearly all PHA leaders and past presidents, have trained in the U.S., although lately, more training programs (14) have been instituted. Like the ACC, the PHA has councils made up of all the subspecialties in cardiology. Interestingly, the Philippines College of Cardiology is under the PHA (same organization) and takes on their training standards, board examination etc. They are one unit.

I was very impressed with the quality of the PHA’s scientific session and the sophistication, dedication and organization of the PHA itself.  The meeting, which celebrated the PHA’s 60th anniversary, was very well attended. The opening ceremony was very similar to the ACC’s convocation ceremony, with a dais, marching guards, induction of new PHA Fellows and Associate Fellows, award winners and more. I participated in the meeting as a judge for the young investigator award and also attended a past president and a board of director meeting. All of the PHA leaders praised our expanding relationship and were excited about the launch of the new Philippines Chapter.

As for the new chapter – I feel strongly that it will be a winner! The Philippines Chapter has the potential to be one of the College’s most successful and impactful international chapters due to the nature of PHA and its constitution, the U.S. training of the physicians, limited language barriers (nearly the entire population speaks fluent English), and the eagerness of PHA and its leaders to collaborate with the ACC. While at the scientific session, I had the honor of representing the ACC at a reception dedicated to the inauguration of the new chapter. PHA President Saturnino Javier, MD, FACC, provided a historical perspective on the PHA’s relationship with the ACC dating back to the lecture circuit with former ACC President Dr. Elliott Corday.  I also gave a speech highlighting the importance of the chapter and honored the new chapter leadership with a plaque. Following my address, more than 60 physicians went on stage and recited a pledge of cooperation between the ACC and the Philippines Chapter. (Check out a photo I Tweeted here). Dr. Javier was elated as he did not expect so many people to attend.

In brief, I believe our partnership that started decades ago will only grow stronger with the creation of this new chapter. Like the PHA leaders and new chapter members, I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and, as with all of our international chapters, look forward to finding ways to collaborate around innovative ways to close gaps in cardiovascular care, share research and ideas, and improve patient outcomes.

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