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September 21, 2012
 
 
“Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.”
– Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
 
Dear Colleagues:
 
Passion is like the color red – bold, daring and inspiring. I do believe that in life, purpose may point us in the right direction but it is passion that drives and propels us. This year I have seen so much passion in my encounters with each of you – my BOG colleagues. Passion is what we heard from Minnesota Governor Uma Valeti at our first Steering committee meeting in Chicago when he argued that with the appropriate use criteria language change was absolutely necessary. I saw passion in the BOG meeting two weeks ago. Now, I am in Beverly Hills at the California Chapter meeting with ACC President William Zoghbi, California ACC President Bill Bommer, Southern California Chapter Governor John Gordon, former California President George Smith, our very own senior vice president of advocacy Jim Fasules,  ACC President-Elect John Harold and Past President David Holmes. I’ve also run into Paul Teirstein who is passionate about the practice of cardiology and fellows in training. Anthony Robbins said “passion is the genesis of genius” and each of these people are truly genius.
 
Speaking of moving in purpose and passion, last week was a busy one for ACC leaders in Washington, D.C. In addition to the Legislative Conference, several government agencies held a series of meetings that explored medical device postmarket surveillance systems. Throughout the week, ACC members including Massachusetts Governor Fred Resnic, Past President Ralph Brindis and Council on Clinical Quality Chair Joseph Drozda, offered personal and professional experiences and shared ways in which the NCDR is leading the way in innovation. Be sure to read more about the meetings and check out highlights from Legislative Conference. Slides from the September BOG meeting are also available.
 
The College was also rewarded this week for its passion for wellness. The College yesterday was named one of Greater Washington’s Healthiest Employers by the Washington Business Journal, for its exceptional employee wellness program started in 2009 entitled Ready Set Go: Taking Care of You! It’s such a joy to see ACC staff practicing what we all preach – focusing on heart-healthy living and overall wellness. Congratulations, ACC staff!
 
In other news, a great article ran in the Redding Pilot on the important life-saving work of the ACC Connecticut Chapter and President Gilead Lancaster. The article highlights the chapter’s passionate advocacy work aimed at ensuring all high school students be trained in CPR and the use of an AED before graduation. Stories like these are inspiring because they highlight how ACC members can make a difference on a local level – and in turn impact many lives.
 
Also this week, the Global Cardiovascular Disease Taskforce (of which the ACC is a part) jointly released a health policy statement urging timely global action to curb preventable deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD). The taskforce is calling on government and the CV community to accelerate the progress on the commitments made last year at the NCD summit and support the 10 evidence-based targets, including the top four exposure targets on physical activity, tobacco, dietary salt intake and hypertension/blood pressure. A write-up on CardioSource.org explains the statement and the goals for 2025 in more detail so be sure to log on and read more.
 
Another bit of ACC staff-related news: the search to find ACC’s next chief executive officer (CEO) presses on. Korn/Ferry International, a leading global executive recruitment and talent management firm, is working with the search committee to find the perfect fit. The goal is to have a new CEO in place by the upcoming ACC.13 and TCT@ACC-i2 in San Francisco. If you know someone who would be a good fit for the job, refer them here.
 
On another note, meeting the goals that each chapter set this year can reap rewards now that applications for Chapter Recognition Awards are being accepted. Chapters can be recognized in four categories: Education, Science and Quality (Jim Dove Award), Advocacy and Membership/Community. Applications are due to Lianna Collinge by Nov. 1. This is sure to uncover Chapter passions.
 
Author T. Alan Armstrong said: “If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it and let it become you and you will find great things happen for you, to you and because of you.”  If that does not resonate with you, the Italian Movie Maker, Federico Fellini’s description of passion is hard to argue with and is certainly something to remember, “There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life.” My wish for all of you this weekend is that you indulge and revel in your passions.
 
 
Have a great weekend, 
 
Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC
Chair Board of Governors

PS: Bring your passion to New York! Seating is limited for the upcoming New York CV Symposium held Dec. 7 – 9 and directed by ValentinFuster, MD, PhD, MACC. BOG members receive reduced tuition to this event and advance registration ends Oct. 11. Hope to see you there!

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PINNACLE Corner 
 
Join us for the final webinar in the PINNACLE series
“Let Data Do the Talking: Effectively Using Tools for Quality and Cost Improvement,” featuring Richard J. Kovacs, MD, FACC, and John S. Rumsfeld, MD, PhD, FACC.
 
An Introduction to NCDR:  Myths and Realities
Tuesday, September 25th
7:00 – 8:00 pm Eastern Time
 
• Hear an overview of the NCDR suite of registries
• Learn how NCDR outcomes reports can be used for quality improvement
• Understand how NCDR registries can support value-based purchasing for physicians and hospitals
• Opportunity for  Q&A
 
ACTION ITEMS
Legislative Conference Attendee? We Want Your Feedback!
The ACC is looking for feedback on this year’s Legislative Conference in order to make the 2013 event even better. Click here to provide feedback on visits with legislators as well as the conference sessions. Also, be sure to complete and return the Capitol Hill visit report form. The forms, found in the Briefing Materials section of the Legislative conference website, help the College follow up with congressional members and their staff. A sample thank you letter is also available. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Ellis.
 
Committee nominations in progress through October 31st. As a Governor or Chapter Executive, you know the skills and achievements of the members in your state better than anyone.  Nominate them for leadership roles at the College. The President-Elect and leadership look to chapter and state involvement as a stepping stone for national involvement.  The Governors’ voices in nominations are vital to filling the committee positions with the best people.  We encourage you to apply or nominate a colleague for committee membership to help lead the College and its activities. The ACC cannot be the remarkable group we are today without your involvement. All College members are encouraged to nominate and apply. Nominations and applications are due by October 31, 2012.

 
View committees with openings to apply and/or nominate for a Committee position. Contact Marthea Wilson if you have questions, 202-375-6230 or mwilson@acc.org.
 
The State of the State reports are due November 1st. Be sure to get yours in on time as they will be presented to the Board of Trustees, prior to the January Leadership Forum.  


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UPCOMING BOG MEETINGS & EVENTS
 
SAVE THE DATE!
2013 Leadership Forum & BOG Meeting
Heart House & Park Hyatt, Washington, DC
Friday, January 25 & Saturday, January 26
Details to follow
 
ACC.13 BOG Meeting
March 8th, 2012
BOG-BOT Town hall to be held in the morning
BOG Meeting in the afternoon, followed by a reception 
 
Leadership Hotel
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
55 4th Street  San Francisco,
CA 94103
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
 
News on EPIC EHR Data Flow to PINNACLE
The ACC recently devised a method for data to flow directly from an Epic EHR to PINNACLE Registry® using “out of the box” Epic capabilities (i.e. no customization required). At the end of each month, a site will create a report containing the PINNACLE data and transmit this directly to the College. The ACC is looking to expand this project to a limited set of alpha sites. To join this project or for more information, contact Jason Kreuter.
 
 
World Heart Day is Just Around the Corner
In order to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease during this year’s World Heart Day, the ACC’s CardioSmart® initiative has teamed up with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s The Heart Truth® Campaign, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Million Hearts™ initiative, and healthfinder.gov for a special women’s heart health Twitter Chat. During the chat, ACC’s CardioSmart Editor Joanne Foody, MD, FACC, and other experts will be on hand to discuss heart health, dispel myths and answer questions from participants joining the conversation from across the world. The chat will take place on Sept. 28 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. To Join the conversation, follow @CardioSmart, search #HeartChat and use the #HeartChat hashtag for any questions or comments.
 
 
Lifelong Learning in the Digital Age in New JACC President’s Page
A new lifelong learning portal, personalized education tools, and the future of CV education are the focus on the September edition of the President’s Page in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). ACC President William Zoghbi, MD, FACC and ACC senior vice president for lifelong learning, Mary Ellen Beliveau, come together to highlight how ACC’s lifelong learning strategies are bringing continued education for CV professionals into the 21st century.

Save on Medical Liability Coverage
The American College of Cardiology has a new partnership that will help physicians save money on medical liability coverage. Founded by doctors for doctors, The Doctors Company offers ACC members a unique combination of coverage features, aggressive claims defense, superior protection, and unrivaled rewards, including the Tribute® Plan, a groundbreaking financial benefit that rewards members for their loyalty and commitment to outstanding patient care.
 
As an ACC member, you already have the reputation of being committed to only the highest standards of cardiovascular care. As a result, you are eligible to SAVE on your coverage through our partnership with The Doctors Company:
 
•Save five percent on your premium for being an ACC member with a favorable claims history
•Receive a claims-free credit based on practice location
•Save five percent for participating in the PINNACLE Registry®•Save five percent for maintaining board certification
Visit www.CardioSource.org/TheDoctorsCompany to get a no-obligation quote today! 
 
 
BOG STEERING COMMITTEE
The next BOG Steering Committee will meet in person on Tuesday, September 25th 8-9pm EST. If you have any items you would like to discuss, or would like to present a 10-minute "Report from the Front," let us hear from you!  Please contact any of the BOG Steering Members or Jayne Jordan at jjordan@acc.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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