Medical professionals from all over the world have arrived in sunny San Diego, CA, for the ACC’s Annual Scientific Session and Expo (ACC.15).

Emphasizing a mantra of “more learning, less lecturing,” this year’s conference places a greater focus on innovation and more experiential learning opportunities for attendees. With various new interactive and innovative learning environments that include interviews, panel discussions, debates, moderated forums and small group talks, patient/physician role-playing, competitions, and volunteer audience panelists, this year’s meeting is easily the best Annual Scientific Session we’ve put together thus far.

However, creating a learning experience as large and complex as ACC.15 takes a lot of time, planning, preparation, dedication and the occasional sleepless night! A sincere thanks to ACC.15 Chair Athena Poppas, MD, FACC, and ACC.15 Co-Chair Jeff Kuvin, MD, FACC, for their leadership, creativity and passion. Together they, working with ACC leaders and staff, have shaped a program that includes unprecedented input from across the College’s membership, as well as from other societies and partners. As a result, ACC.15 is truly a culmination of things familiar, augmented and new, providing visitors with a wholly unique experience across its three days of programming.

Over the course of the next three days, ACC.15 will feature 11 clinical learning pathways, ranging in topics from acute coronary syndromes and congenital heart disease, to non-invasive imaging, stable ischemic heart disease and vascular medicine. After making its debut at last year’s conference, the ACC’s “intensive” format has not only returned, but expanded to cover critical care cardiology, cardio-oncology, practice management and leadership, and sports cardiology. A brand new track will also focus on the future of cardiology and provide a glimpse at where we might be 20 years from now in terms of technological advancement, changes in education and health care, prospective research and the use of genetics. (Check the ACC.15 app for details.)

Of course, ACC.15 is also about the latest in cardiovascular research. This year’s late-breaking clinical trials (LBCT) will undoubtedly provide some important insights and potential breakthroughs for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease (read more on the LBCT buzz on the ACC in Touch Blog and via MedPage Today). In person networking is also a vital component of the meeting. While we are working toward making digital opportunities better every day, they cannot fully replace the personal, interactive environment of an ACC Annual Scientific Session.

Over the next three days, as ACC.15 provides opportunities to learn of the most recent advances in our field, connect with colleagues, and share best practices in cardiovascular care, I challenge us all to take a step away from the daily challenges we face and think more broadly of the leadership role we can play collectively to make a difference in the lives of our patients and the communities we serve.

Enjoy the meeting (and follow along @ACC_2015 and use #ACC15)

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