The Methodist Hospitals in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana held a terrific Cardiovascular Symposium this year. More than 120 members and clinicians from the Chicago-area and Northwest Indiana attended this program in Schererville, Indiana. ACC's Indiana Chapter President Raymond E. Dusman Jr., MD, FACC, gave the keynote address highlighting the support of the ACC in approaching MACRA.

The lineup of cardiology "rock stars" at the symposium included Andre K. Artis, MD, FACC, who introduced "PAD as the new CAD" and Clyde W. Yancy, MD, MACC, who challenged attendees to apply best practices to our ever-growing heart failure population. Furthermore, George L Bakris, MD, made cardio-renal syndrome come alive, and Olga Kislitsina, MD, a visiting physician from Russia, brought an international flair to the program. The overarching take-away from the program was that it all starts with prevention. Many other important topics were discussed and brought a snippet of ACC.18 into the region!

This article was authored by Constance A. Adams, MS, RN, CCNS, CCRN, clinical and quality director of the Heart & Vascular Institute at Methodist Hospitals in Gary and Merrillville, IN.