ACC Announces New Fuster Prevention Forum

The ACC is proud to introduce the Fuster Prevention Forum, an exclusive educational experience honoring the legacy of Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC. This innovative program will equip clinicians with practical tools and frameworks to educate children, parents and educators on nutrition, physical activity and emotional well-being.

Chaired by Pamela Bowe Morris, MD, FACC, and Edward T. A. Fry, MD, MACC, the Forum aims to foster skills and confidence to develop sustainable, community-based prevention initiatives and build a collaborative network of clinicians committed to advancing a culture of prevention in schools and communities.

The inaugural cohort will convene for a two-day training at ACC's Heart House in Washington, DC, June 12 to 13, 2026, followed by a webinar three to six months later to review progress and share best practices. Participants who complete the course will be recognized as Experts in Primordial Prevention and return to their communities equipped with curriculum materials, digital content and practical toolkits to implement change.

ACC Partners with OpenEvidence to Advance AI in Cardiovascular Care

The ACC and OpenEvidence have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate the integration of cardiovascular clinical guidance into point-of-care decision-making. By combining ACC's leadership in cardiovascular science with OpenEvidence's generative AI technology, clinicians will gain rapid access to trusted, evidence-based content to support shared decision-making.

"At the American College of Cardiology, our mission is to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart care for all because patients deserve care that's not only informed by the latest scientific evidence, but also delivered with confidence and compassion," said ACC CEO Cathleen C. Gates. "Our collaboration with OpenEvidence will allow us to responsibly integrate AI into clinical workflows, ensuring that patients benefit from timely, evidence-based care without compromising safety, transparency or the trusted judgment of their clinicians."

OpenEvidence CEO Daniel Nadler, PhD, added: "Clinicians across every specialty rely on the work of the ACC to guide evidence-based care. We're thrilled to partner with the organization that defines the foundation for cardiovascular practice, bringing their trusted expertise to the point of care through responsible, generative AI."

The partnership will include an expert work group to identify high-impact areas and knowledge gaps, development of supplemental materials, as well as the launch of an ACC/OpenEvidence AI Resource Center and podcast series. Attendees at ACC's Annual Scientific Session can explore these innovations at the ACC Future Hub.

Dinesh Kalra, MD, FACC, Named Next BOG Chair-Elect

Congratulations to Dinesh Kalra, MD, FACC, for being named the next chair-elect of the ACC Board of Governors (BOG). Kalra, who is currently ACC governor for Kentucky, will assume his role in April 2026, following ACC.26 in New Orleans, and will assume the role of BOG Chair from 2027 to 2028 after Renuka Jain, MD, FACC.

Kalra is an international expert in multimodality cardiac imaging, as well as preventive cardiology and lipidology. He is board-certified in cardiology, echocardiography, CT, CMR, lipidology and nuclear cardiology. In addition to his roles at the UofL Medical Center and School of Medicine, Kalra serves as vice chair for quality in the Department of Medicine and is on the Board of Directors, is chair of the Quality Assurance Committee for Cardiology, and serves as the director of the Heart Board for the Cardiovascular Service Line at UofL Hospital. He also holds an endowed chair position in the Jewish Hospital Cardiovascular Innovation Institute.

"The ACC has been my professional home since my training over 20 years ago, guiding my growth in clinical practice, advocacy, leadership and personal development," says Kalra. "Serving as chair of the BOG is both a tremendous honor and a profound responsibility. I see it as an opportunity to give back to an organization that exemplifies what we strive for as clinicians – to lead with purpose, vision, collaboration and compassion, advancing cardiovascular health for all."

Innovation, Strategy and Leadership Take Center Stage at Fall CV Transforum

The MedAxiom Fall CV Transforum brought together cardiovascular leaders from across the country to tackle some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the specialty today.

Kicking off with an in-depth look at the current state of cardiovascular care, general sessions explored how programs can adapt to growing patient volumes, workforce shortages and rapidly advancing technologies. Keynote sessions emphasized actionable insights on transforming care delivery, from rethinking the cardiovascular workforce model to embracing value-based care strategies that drive both clinical and operational excellence.

Throughout the meeting, expert panels, breakout groups and leadership discussions highlighted the importance of data-driven strategy and innovation in driving sustainable growth. Attendees heard real-world examples of health systems leveraging analytics to improve patient outcomes and streamline performance, while thought leaders examined the evolving role of artificial intelligence, digital health and new care models in advancing cardiovascular practice. The focus on collaboration and continuous improvement reinforced MedAxiom's mission to empower organizations to thrive amid ongoing change.

As cardiovascular care continues to evolve, sessions underscored that transformation is not optional – it's essential. The latest chapter in the ACC and MedAxiom Care Transformation Initiative, "Broadening the Team-Based Care Model: A Transformational Approach to Cardiovascular Care Delivery," offers a timely next step for teams seeking to put these lessons into practice. The workbook provides a practical framework for building collaborative, high-performing care teams grounded in clear roles, communication and performance excellence. Download the paper.

Access previous chapters on AI and ambulatory surgery centers, respectively.

Sustaining Community Health in Chicago

Building on the momentum of the ACC's Chicago Community Health Fair earlier this year, the Illinois Chapter has launched a monthly program at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center and is looking to expand to other areas of Chicago as opportunities allow.

"Guided by the principles of health equity, this initiative is designed to strengthen community ties, improve cardiovascular health literacy and promote healthier behaviors," said Nausheen Akhter, MD, FACC.

The inaugural session supported by dedicated ACC Illinois Chapter Social Justice Committee volunteers included blood pressure screenings, a group exercise class led by exercise physiologist Nana Anim Asante-Apeatu, MSc, and a health literacy and hypertension talk delivered by Alana Lewis, MD, FACC. Attendees came away with CardioSmart resources and other tools and were encouraged to return with friends and family in future months.

"Through sustained, community-based initiatives, we aim to empower patients, foster trust with cardiovascular health professional and address the health disparities faced by underserved populations in Illinois," said Akhter.

By creating a consistent presence in the community, the Chapter aims to establish a sustainable model that delivers long-term impact and builds on the goals set during the Chicago Fair. Looking ahead, ACC will continue its commitment to health equity with the New Orleans Community Health Fair on March 22, held the Saturday leading up to ACC.26. Living in New Orleans? Help spread the word. More information is available at ACC.org/HealthFair.

Rising Impact: JACC: CardioOncology's Influence Grows

JACC: CardioOncology has marked a significant milestone, with its latest reported Impact Factor rising to 13.4 and ranked in the top 10. This updated impact factor underscores the journal's rapidly growing influence in the intersecting fields of cardiology and oncology and reflects its role as a key platform for high-impact, multidisciplinary research in cardio-oncology. Read the latest issue at JACC.org.

Clinical Topics: Prevention

Keywords: Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications, Awards and Prizes, United States Food and Drug Administration, Cardio-oncology, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Leadership, Primary Prevention