The CV Team Section newsletter highlights the achievements of one CV Team member. This month features Constance A. Adams, MS, RN, CCNS, CCRN, the clinical quality director for the Heart & Vascular Institute at Methodist Hospitals, Inc. in Gary, IN, who is actively involved with heart failure and chest pain programs.

1. How did you get started in health care?
   There were a couple things that introduced me to health care. First, my mom was a nurse and I was always impressed with her professionalism. I also have a family member with a congenital heart defect, who had many open-heart surgeries in the late '70's, early '80's at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the heart team.
2. Where did your career in cardiology begin?
   My cardiology career started with Purdue University Northwest and St. Catherine's Hospital in East Chicago.
3. What cardiology specialty do you practice in and what patient population do you serve?
   I am the clinical quality director for the Heart & Vascular Institute at Methodist Hospitals, Inc. Gary, IN, and am actively involved with the heart failure and chest pain programs. I am an advanced practice nurse but my current responsibilities are primarily administrative.
4. How long have you been a member of the ACC?
   I have been an ACC member since 2011.
5. What has been your involvement with the ACC and/or CV Team Member Section?
   Initially, my involvement with the ACC was attending the Annual Scientific Session to earn continuing medical education/continuing nursing education credits, which provided my first exposure to the CV Team members. I met so many people who were doing phenomenal things in their organizations that I wanted to do more and know more about how to fully appreciate the services of the College. I work in a two-hospital safety-net system. Knowing that the College provides educational and networking opportunities, I feel as if we are part of a much larger organization.
6. Are you currently active on any committees or hold any leadership positions at the ACC or in other professional organizations?
   I am a member of the CV Team Section Communication Work Group. I am also a member of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses' Patient Education Committee.
7. What are your thoughts regarding the impact of the cardiovascular care team on the practice of cardiology?
   This is a great time to be a member of the cardiovascular team. As health care evolves in the current climate, the cardiovascular team continues to expand their responsibilities and contributions to the interdisciplinary team. Cardiovascular team members provide much of the hands-on support for patients, especially as chronic cardiovascular disease management shifts to more of a patient-centric ambulatory setting.
8. Do you have any recommendations on how other Cardiovascular Team members can become more involved in the College?
   I would suggest volunteering for a workgroup. There is also great value to the networking, educational and collaborative opportunities with being a member.