Colleagues,

 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season. In looking back over the year, here is an overview of what we all accomplished as a Chapter. Let me know how you would like to be involved in 2015!

 

Advocacy: 

• IN ACC Day at the IN Statehouse - supported and testified for patient-centric legislation to require CPR training as a High School graduation requirement and education of Athletic Coaches and Staff regarding risks and signs of Sudden Cardiac Death in athletes. Lobbied to strengthen tobacco-free legislation.  ACC members attended Bill Signing Ceremony with Gov. Mike Pence.

• Based on advocacy efforts, IN ACC has been asked by the State Dept. of Education (who initially opposed the legislation) to help craft the educational materials for SCD education and CPR training.
• ACC Legislative Conference - 18 attendees, including 7 FITs and 7 CVT members.  Chapter sponsored stipends awarded to 11 attendees.  Substantive meetings with both senators and 8 of 9 Representatives discussing SGR, IOASE, Quality improvement, and support of GME.
• ACCPAC contributions by 6.5% of all members (10.1% of all FACC's), up 6% from 2013, netting approximately $25,000.
• Challenge to all IN Chapter Council members to contribute and the get 10 colleagues to contribute to the ACCPAC.

Member Value:

• Well attended Annual Chapter Meeting with broad engagement geographically, by subspecialty, and by membership type.
• ACC Mentoring Program and Leadership Development programs highlighted.
• Regional Chapter meetings to engage members from around the state and to educate potential members about the values of ACC membership.
• Participation in the ACC Councils and Sections promoted.
• MOC activities planned for the upcoming year.

Engagement:

• 766 total members, 466 FACCs
• 26 FITs - from both of the state's two Cardiology Fellowship programs
• 148 CVTs
• 111 ECPs
• Chapter Council includes 9 ECPs, 2 FITs, 1 Cardiovascular Administrator in addition to FACC council members
• Quarterly newsletter
• Three regional Chapter meetings in 2014, and three planned for 2015

Data/Information/Knowledge/Transformation of Care:

• Chapter promotes enrollment in ACC Registries through Annual Meeting presentation and Regional Meetings.
• CardioSmart presentation and exhibit at Annual Chapter Meeting.
• Promotion of the "Heart Care Team" at all levels of the Chapter:  leadership, education, and membership
• Educational stipend support to FITs and CVTs (CCAs) to attend the 2014 Scientific Sessions, Legislative Conference, Leadership Conference, and CV Summit.
• Active Chapter participation by Cardiovascular Administrators.
• Innovative use of technology to enhance Chapter communication and support educational events through the efforts of our very tech-savvy Chapter Executive.

Population Health

• Continue to support Tobacco Free legislation
• Helped pass legislation to require all high school seniors to be trained in CPR as a requirement for graduation.
• Supported and passed legislation to require all high school coaches and athletic trainers to be instructed in the risks and early signs of Sudden Cardiac Death in young athletes.
• IN ACC partnered with AHA in leading the state-wide Mission Lifeline Initiative to standardize and optimize systems of STEMI care.

Purposeful Education:

• Annual Chapter Meeting (5.25 hours Category 1 CME and CNE).
• Regional Symposia on Risk Stratification for Sudden Cardiac Death Post-MI moderated by IN ACC member experts.
• Special Session for Cardiac Care Associates conducted concurrent to the Annual Chapter Meeting.
• Held FIT oral and poster scientific abstract competitions.
• Provide ACC tools to Chapter members to enroll in and to complete MOC requirements.

Happy Holidays, and thank you for being a member of the Indiana-ACC.
  

Kind regards, 

 

Edward T.A. Fry, MD, FACC

Raymond E. Dusman, MD, FACC, Chief Physician Executive of Parkview Health in Fort Wayne, was recently elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) as the ACC Governor for Indiana. Dr. Dusman's term as Governor-Elect will begin March 2015. He will concurrently serve as the President-Elect of the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. He will become Governor/President in March 2016.

 

"Governors/Chapter Presidents are an important part of the ACC, they are a voice for their state's cardiology community and an advocate for their patients at all levels of government and health care. They provide leadership at the state and local level while also bringing attention to the needs of their membership through their work with the national organization," said Patrick T. O'Gara, MD, FACC, President of the American College of Cardiology. "Dr. Dusman will provide a strong voice for Indiana's cardiologists and their patients."

 

In his position as a member of the Board of Governors, Dr. Dusman will join other elected Governors from across the country to facilitate communication between College leaders and their members in the state they represent. Dr. Dusman will provide input from the Indiana cardiology community to the College on issues related to legislative and regulatory concerns, practice needs, and needs to help members improve patient care. 

 

As the Indiana Chapter President, he will also serve as the voice of the Indiana cardiology community when advising local and state government officials, media and other professional organizations on issues related to cardiovascular disease. Dr. Dusman will also work with the Indiana Chapter members to provide education, quality improvement activities, and avenues to influence legislative and regulatory issues affecting the practice of cardiology and quality patient care. 

Kristen Combes has been elected as the next Indiana-ACC Cardiac Care Associate Liaison. Ms. Combes has been a Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner since 2005. She attended Indiana University where she obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing specializing as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and holds a board certification from The American Nurse Credentialing Center. She is licensed in the state of Indiana as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner and is a nine year CCA member with the American College of Cardiology.

 

Her entire career, she has worked in various nursing aspects and roles of cardiovascular medicine. Presently, she practices as a Nurse Practitioner with Indiana University Health Cardiology, at the Avon location which is affiliated with Indiana University Health West Hospital in both an inpatient and clinic setting practicing general cardiology. 

 

 

The Indiana-ACC Annual Meeting held on Saturday, October 18, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown was fantastic!. Take a look at photos here.

 

The meeting line-up was geared towards the entire 

cardiac care team. The day kicked off examining new interventional technologies with Joseph S. Rossi, MD, FACC and Ziad A. Jaradat, MD, FACC. James E. Tisdale, PharmD, BCPS provided insight into the new anticoagulants. Sheree Schroeder, MSN, RN, RDCS, FASE led a breakout session for our CV team members, and C. Michael Valentine, MD, FACC, shared the

 latest from the ACC. A clinical potpourri was up next featuring Cardiac CT: Indications & Advantages of Imaging by Saeed R. Shaikh, MD, FACC and Risk Stratification Post MI for Patients at Risk for Sudden Death by Umang M. Patel, MD, FACC. Michael B. McMains, RPh, JD, rounded out the day with Legal Landmines for Cardiac Care Providers: How to Mitigate Risk. 

 

Save the date of October 10, 2015, for our 19th Annual Meeting!

As Governor of the Indiana Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, I would like to encourage you to join me in the fight to protect the future of cardiovascular care by joining the ACC Political Action Committee (ACCPAC).

 

The ACCPAC is the megaphone through which members are able to advocate on behalf of the communities we serve to ensure that regardless of the site or style of your practice, the ACC is a driving force in the ongoing healthcare debate. 

 

Many of us would prefer to simply practice medicine and leave the politics out of it but the battle over issues such as medical training, research funding, and the practice and delivery of medicine is urgent and ongoing. As cardiovascular caregivers our first responsibility is to the health and welfare of our patients but we must recognize that this fight exists both in our offices and in the halls of Congress.  Now more than ever the ACC must stand up and make our voices heard to protect our patients and the future of our profession.

 

I am asking you to join your voice with other cardiovascular professionals and make a commitment to get engaged TODAY!  Only 6.5% of Indiana members contribute to the PAC, and we need your help to make our voices heard!

 

Joining ACCPAC is quick and easy. Click here or go to www.accpacweb.org to put your contribution to work immediately.  Simply login with your CardioSource access credentials and click Join the PAC.

 

Congress holds the future of cardiology in its hands. It is up to us to shape it.  Join me today, and make YOUR voice heard! 

 

With the 113th Congress drawing to a close, we are faced with our last chance in this Congress to pass a bill to finally repeal the flawed formula for Medicare payments - the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). The current situation presents an unprecedented opportunity for repeal and momentum toward much-needed Medicare stability and reform will be stalled if this opportunity is missed. You and your colleagues have been integral in pushing the process this far.  Join us again in demanding that Congress take this critical opportunity. 

 

Send a letter to your lawmakers urging them to tell their leadership to take the "SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014" (H.R. 4015/ S. 2000) to the floor for a vote before the end of the lame duck session. Learn more. 

 

IN-ACC Heart on the Hill Day
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Indiana Statehouse
Indianapolis, IN

 

IN-ACC 19th Annual Meeting
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

 

ACC Legislative Conference
October 18-20, 2015
Washington, DC

  

 

Mary (Minnow) N. Walsh, MD has been selected to be President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for 2017-2018.  Leading up to her Presidential role, she will serve the College as Vice-President from 2015 to 2016, and as President-Elect from 2016 to 2017.