Live, Scientific Annual Meetings Essential to Lifelong Learning

The unique aspects of interactions and experiences at annual live meetings like the ACC's Annual Scientific Session may be an essential part of lifelong learning, according to a recent review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

While some questions remain as to the longevity and importance of large-scale, live meetings, Andrew M. Kates, MD, FACC, chair of ACC's 68th Annual Scientific Session and Expo (ACC.19), et al., discuss the ways these conferences have contributed to the field of cardiovascular medicine, scientific community and professional societies. They note that live annual meetings offer attendees a variety of integrated experiences such as late-breaking science, focused research presentations, a variety of educational programming, and opportunities to network with colleagues and interact with industry.

"To engage and interact with colleagues, discuss late-breaking science in real time, learn in a myriad of educational formats from internationally recognized content experts, and inspire cardiovascular specialists throughout the span of their career are just some of the reasons that live scientific meetings will continue to be an important tool in the lifelong learning tool box," the authors write.

Attendees of ACC.19 in New Orleans from March 16-19, 2019 will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of a large-scale live meeting first-hand. Advance registration closes Feb. 6, 2019. Late-Breaking Clinical Trial submissions are due no later than Dec. 5. Learn more at accscientificsession.acc.org.

Groundbreaking JACC Series Examines Top Eight CV Risk Factors

An innovative eight-week Cardiovascular Health Promotion Series published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) provides health care professionals with an in-depth examination of the eight risk factors and behaviors that contribute most to cardiovascular disease development.

Highlighting the importance of a preventive approach rather than a focus on the treatment of symptoms, each state-of-the-art review assesses the pathophysiological effects of each risk factor, personal and social contributors, key factors that help end risk-related behavior and competencies for providers. The series addresses diet, tobacco, cholesterol, blood pressure, psychological health, weight, physical activity and blood sugar. Visit JACC.org/Collection/FocusSeminar for links to each paper in the series.

Researchers who like this series and want to see their own research in print, can join JACC Editor-In-Chief Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, on Nov. 29 at 9:30 a.m. ET, to learn techniques and strategies for publishing in high-impact journals like JACC. During this free webinar, Fuster will share his expertise in working with researchers and authors throughout the research publishing cycle; uncover strategies for developing papers for premium publications; and discuss the opportunities journals present to broadly disseminate findings.

ACC Advocacy in Action

Sometimes it takes months or even years to impact health policy, other times it can be a matter of weeks. Coming on the heels of the ACC's 2018 Legislative Conference in September, a final congressional sign-on letter addressing prior authorization burdens, led by Reps. Phil Roe, MD, (R-TN) and Ami Bera, MD, (D-CA) was sent to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with a total of 103 signatures.

Prior to Legislative Conference, the letter had 55 signatures, but through meetings on Capitol Hill, ACC members managed to pick up 48 more. Additionally, the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Avct of 2017 (H.R. 3592) picked up four cosponsors since the conference concluded.

The College has also led stakeholders in submitting a sign-on letter to leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the Act. The College continues to work with the bill sponsors to identify additional opportunities to move the legislation forward.

Click here to read last month's article on the conference and view the photo gallery.

ACC State Chapters Championing Diversity and Inclusion

As the College moves forward with efforts to increase diversity and inclusion within the cardiovascular profession, the ACC's Board of Governors and State Chapters are out in front. Among the most recent examples:

• The ACC Ohio Chapter revamped their leadership nominations process to encourage participation in their Chapter Board and FIT Council from a diverse group of individuals.
• The ACC New York Chapter has created a chapter-based Diversity and Inclusion Task Force charged with assessing diversity and inclusion among Chapter members, as well as finding new ways to engage with potential fellowship applicants about careers in cardiology.

The Louisiana Chapter, working with ACC's Academic Cardiology Section and the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, has developed a Young Scholars Program targeting high school and college students to learn more about cardiovascular education and research. Participants are paired with an FIT or Early Career mentor, receive webinar-based didactics, and will be able to attend ACC.19 in New Orleans.

These are but a few of the activities underway. Multiple chapters have initiated efforts to better understand actual or perceived barriers to professional well-being, as well as continue to find ways through Women in Cardiology (WIC) Section activities to encourage greater involvement among women both in the profession as a whole, as well as in positions of leadership.

"As we hold ourselves to accountable execution, we can expect a more diverse board and council representation, and a greater ability to support a diverse but highly competent cadre of members to succeed at higher levels within the College," wrote Pamela S. Douglas, MD, MACC, chair of the ACC Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, Andrew Miller, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Board of Governors (BOG) and Akshay Khandelwal, MD, FACC, chair-elect of the ACC BOG, in a recent JACC Leadership Page. "It is time for us to take action. We need all members to help fill in our gaps, confront inequities, and contribute to solutions. Share. Lead. Engage."

Strategic Communications Plan for Diversity and Inclusion Earns Award

This past year, as the ACC launched its strategy around diversity and inclusion, the College has been busy galvanizing interest, attention and support for this important initiative in many ways, including executing an integrated communications plan focused on traditional print, digital and social media. These efforts were recently recognized with a Gold 2018 MarCom Award from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals.

ACC members are encouraged to continue to engage around this critical topic on Twitter by tagging your photos and posts with #TheFaceOfCardiology. Read more about ACC's Diversity and Inclusion efforts at ACC.org/Diversity.

American College of Cardiology Launches Global Dyslipidemia Initiative

As part of ongoing efforts to bring the latest education and research to cardiovascular professionals in countries and regions around the world, the ACC is launching a series of train-the-trainer programs in four key countries in Latin America, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. The first program launched last month during the ACC Middle East Conference.

The dyslipidemia train-the-trainer program is a customized, comprehensive initiative sponsored by Amgen for improving care for the dyslipidemia patient in critical regions around the world. The ACC's dyslipidemia train-the-trainer program aims to raise awareness at a global level of evidence-based therapies available for high-risk heart disease patients, support evolving guidelines of care for the comprehensive management of dyslipidemia outside the U.S. and to facilitate practice change among clinician communities.

At the Middle East train-the-trainer symposium, trainers in Saudi Arabia participated in a one-day course where they reviewed key teaching concepts of the proposed curriculum as well as participated in interactive case-based writing activities. In return, they must teach a 90-minute training session using the framework and content provided in the kickoff course at their respective institutions. The program has the potential to reach thousands of clinicians in each region and support their efforts to improve care for their patients.