by
Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor | March 14, 2017
From the March 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
The ACC is heavily engaged in the process, working to make certain that it provides real value. Importantly, the ACC has grown over the years and now encompasses a significant membership outside of the U.S. The College receives about half of journal submissions and attendees to our annual Scientific Session from outside of the U.S.! These are highly skilled practitioners, often providing care with limited resources, so there’s a lot we can learn from them.
HCB News: What are the biggest challenges facing your members today?
RC: Many things are changing rapidly — from health care reform, to technology, to requirements for certification. Thus, dealing with so many changes at the same time is daunting. Our members are faced with modified reimbursement processes, an evolution to team-based care and the need for development of new skills, and thus, need support. The College is endeavoring to focus on where we can bring value that will serve in patients’ best interests.
HCB News: Any concerns or relief regarding the change in government leadership?
RC: Any change is both exciting and challenging. We’re currently facing some natural uncertainty regarding policy and direction. The ACC is a party, if you will, of the patient. We will continue to explore opportunities to engage with government leaders to make things better for patients. But we also realize we’re not a political organization. Our fundamental principles are based on care for patients.
HCB News: Are there any new developments either within the ACC or within cardiology that you care to discuss?
RC: There’s a long list. We have opportunities to leverage a huge volume of new science. This includes interventional valve techniques that are less invasive than prior surgical procedures. There are very exciting new drug compounds available for heart failure. Drugs to deal with elevated cholesterol levels may help reduce the burden of heart disease by reducing heart attacks. One of the benefits of having a large international footprint is the opportunity to leverage information, studies and developments happening outside of the country.
HCB News: Can you offer any predictions on where the ACC and cardiology will be a decade from now?
RC: I think there’s likely to be ongoing evolutionary changes, with continued globalization and continued developments in technology and science. There will be an increasing focus on data and data metrics. In the next decade personalized medicine will grow. The ACC will continue to be an institution providing members with the chance to realize opportunities that allow them to do things bigger than they could have imagined toward the goal of improvement in patient care. I’m thankful for the opportunities ACC has provided to me.
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