I am truly honored to serve as the new president of the ACC. I am excited to work alongside all of you over the coming year as we advance the College’s strategic priorities and continue our shared Mission to transform cardiovascular care for all.

I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Immediate Past President Christopher M. Kramer, MD, MACC, for his leadership and vision over the past year. Under his guidance, the College continued to innovate, collaborate and lead at a pivotal time for our profession. I am equally grateful to our outgoing members of the Board of Trustees – Cathleen Biga, MSN, MACC; Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, FACC; and David E. Winchester, MD, MS, FACC – for their dedication and service to ACC and its members.

Our March Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting, held in conjunction with ACC.26 in New Orleans, reflected the same energy and momentum that defined an extraordinary Annual Scientific Session. Thanks to remarkable teamwork, collaboration, creativity and innovation across the College, ACC.26 was truly a meeting to remember. Together, we welcomed nearly 250 new Fellows and Associates and celebrated our 2026 Distinguished Awardees during Convocation; raised nearly $55K as part of Giving Day thanks to a $25K matching gift from ACC member and donor, Harvey J. White Jr., MD, FACC; and created countless opportunities for learning and connection, whether in session rooms, the Lounge & Learn or across the Expo Hall. We even found homes for four puppies along the way.

ACC.26 also exceeded or met nearly all of our attendance and revenue goals, featured an impressive number of simultaneous publications across the JACC Journals, and gave back to the New Orleans community through a day‑long Health Fair with free screenings, heart‑healthy education and activities. The meeting also provided a vibrant forum for discussion and debate around new ACC/AHA clinical guidelines, late‑breaking science and the real‑world implementation of AI in cardiovascular care – and so much more.

Speaking of AI, the BOT received an update from the AI Implementation Task Force, where progress continues across multiple fronts. More updates will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, I encourage you to explore the revamped AI Resource Center on ACC.org, review the new AI Prompt Guide developed with MedAxiom as part of the broader Care Transformation Initiative, and listen to the new AI‑Enabled Clinician Podcast.

Clinical guidelines were also front and center during our discussions. The Board received an update on recent accomplishments, including the release of the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guideline and the launch of the new CVD Risk Estimator Plus App, which replaces the ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus. The app incorporates the AHA PREVENT equations, which are central to both the new High Blood Pressure and Dyslipidemia guidelines for assessing and calculating cardiovascular risk. The Board also approved processes for Guideline surveillance and reaffirmation that will be implemented by the Joint ACC/AHA Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines and facilitate timely updates of the Guidelines.

We also heard from the Revenue Security Task Force, which is making progress in refining concepts, assessing feasibility and mission alignment, and advancing selected initiatives toward development. One project, designed to make it easier for international hospitals and health systems to participate in ACC’s Global Quality Solutions program, is already in the market with promising early interest in new data collection options.

As we look ahead to our May meeting, the Board remains focused on optimizing governance and enhancing member engagement and value, whether through our Member Sections, Chapters or philanthropic efforts through the ACC Foundation. Membership growth will be a priority for me this year. Partnership and collaboration will also be central themes of my presidency. We cannot transform cardiovascular care in siloes. It will take all of us, working together alongside other cardiovascular societies, government and industry partners to address the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Too many lives are being lost, and we are leading at a pivotal moment in history, with the technology and resources needed to drive meaningful change.

Thank you for all that you do for your patients, your communities and the College. I look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Keywords: Leadership