In addition to integrating Veradigm's technology and analytic capabilities with the ACC's PINNACLE Registry and Diabetes Collaborative Registry, the partnership will leverage Veradigm's large specialist and primary care provider network on Allscripts and Practice Fusion electronic medical records to bring ACC's clinical guidelines, decision pathways and wealth of provider and patient engagement tools to the point of care.

"Veradigm's focus on leveraging holistically integrated, rapidly available, point-of-care data combined with innovative analytics, reporting and seamless provider workflow interventions fits squarely with ACC's vision of a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes," says Stephanie Reisinger, Veradigm vice president and general manager.

"We believe our aligned visions and missions, combined with our collective world-class technology platforms and scientific leadership, make this the most powerful partnership in chronic disease management."

The partnership will expand and enhance the value for patients, providers, health plans, researchers and other stakeholders across the health care ecosystem, while maintaining all the benefits of current participation in the PINNACLE Registry and Diabetes Collaborative Registry.

Specifically, patients will have greater opportunities to participate in research studies and have increased access to evidence-based medicine and tools, while providers can expect clinical workflow solutions to be deployed more seamlessly at the point-of-care.

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Leaders from the ACC, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Heart Failure Society of America and American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) recognize that some cardiologists who had intended to remain certified somehow missed ABIM communications around the new process and did not meet the deadline.

In a joint letter to their respective members sent this month, the groups and ABIM outline opportunities for those cardiologists to bring their certification into good standing as soon as possible.

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Other features include imaging vignettes, a global health report on building a strong network of female cardiovascular clinician scientists in Africa, a closer look at mental health considerations among clinicians and a perspective on art and medicine.

Go to JACC.org/CaseReports for the full issue and to sign up for content alerts when new issues are posted. Also, click here to read last month's Cardiology interview with Grapsa.

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Led by Chairs Andrew M. Freeman, MD, FACC, Pamela Bowe Morris, MD, FACC, and Carl E. Orringer, MD, FACC, the course featured experts in prevention, spanning the entire cardiovascular care team. Innovative sessions ranged from "Eat This Not That: Cliff Notes in Prevention" to "Calm the Chaos: Managing CV Disease and Stress With Mindfulness and Medication."

Additionally, clinicians walked away with important take-home tips for talking to patients about smoking, diet, lipid management and hypertension. Faculty also didn't shy away from recent controversies around nutrition and recent blood pressure guidelines, instead addressing them head on in interactive discussion sessions.

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In 2016, the College established its Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion to address the low proportion of women and other underrepresented cardiovascular professionals entering the profession.

This initiative has expanded to harness the power of the diversity of ACC's members to advance patient care, spur innovation, and improve health equity among individual patients and populations through a five-year diversity and inclusion strategic plan.

"ACC's Diversity and Inclusion Initiative has been phenomenally successful over the last few years in changing the face of the College: every activity is now conducted using diversity and inclusion principles; leadership and faculty have been diversified; and cardiologists are engaged in seeking a level playing field for a more diverse workforce," says Pamela S. Douglas, MD, MACC, chair of ACC's Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.

"However, much remains to be done and the appointment of our first-ever Director of Diversity and Inclusion is exactly what we need to take these efforts to the next level."

In her new role, Parekh will use her expertise and experiences to identify and explore barriers to entry into the field of cardiology; develop diversity- and inclusion-related educational services and projects; and lead and coordinate the diversity and inclusion efforts of both staff and members across the College.

"Given the rapidly changing demographics in the U.S., ensuring health equity will be even more critical in the upcoming years," Parekh says.

"I am deeply committed to principles of inclusion, cross cultural understanding and community involvement, and I am honored to be able to work with the ACC's members in using the College's diversity and inclusion principles to realize ACC's vision of 'a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes' for all."

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