Douglas, Pamela S.

Nissen, Steven

Pepine, Carl J.

Wolk, Michael J.

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Journal of the American College of Cardiology Vol. 44, No. 5, 2004
© 2004 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation ISSN 0735-1097/04/$30.00
Published by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2004.07.020CC NEWS
resident’s Page: Cardiology Without Borders:
mbracing a Healthy Global Association
ichael J. Wolk, MD, FACC
resident, American College of Cardiology
amela S. Douglas, MD, FACC*
resident-Elect, American College of Cardiology
teven Nissen, MD, FACC*
ice President, American College of Cardiology
arl J. Pepine, MD, FACC*
mmediate Past President, American College of Cardiologyj
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sardiovascular disease takes place in a border-free world.
ur challenge at the American College of Cardiology is to
old patient care above the artificial barriers raised by
eopolitical issues. We are committed to actively gleaning—
nd sharing—the best practices and leading research from
he world’s brightest CV physicians.
Through the miracle of digital communication, we can
lmost instantaneously collaborate with colleagues in Paris,
rance, as easily as in Paris, Texas. We can avail ourselves of
reative CV solutions employed in cities and countries many
ime zones away, improving our personal practices with our
ocal patients. Embracing this impressive global CV net-
ork lends richness to ACC practice guidelines while it
ontinually elevates our discussions and decisions.
Fundamentally, our goal as global ACC members is to
rovide excellent patient care. Cardiovascular disease is
ssentially the same throughout the world. Where there
re minor variances in individuals, we find a priceless
pportunity to learn. Expanding—rather than contract-
ng— our experience base helps us as individuals to realize
ur best potential as practitioners.
The ACC has always had an international perspective. In
act, more than 10% of our members reside outside the U.S.
linical and educational contributions from our interna-
ional members continue to be highly prized and eagerly
ntegrated into College thinking. Fostering international
ialogue and encouraging a free flow of information have
ecome priorities for the ACC and its president.
Keeping our eyes on the globe, however, has been a
hallenge since the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on Septem-
er 11, 2001. Our world changed that day, and we are still
djusting to its new demands. Concerns about travel to the
.S. have escalated. In addition to the usual aggravations of
lane travel—long waits, questionable food, cramped seats,
*Throughout his Presidential year, Dr. Wolk will present ideas important to
mollege members, in collaboration with key ACC leaders and staff.et lag, and other inconveniences we used to joke about—we
ow have the underlying potential of terrorism.
Nonetheless, we continue to see so many of our interna-
ional colleagues at U.S. meetings, either as delegates or as
resenters and faculty. The added burdens regarding visas
nd the assembling of documents now mandated for entry
nto the U.S. do not deter our international colleagues. In
act, they are adamant about joining their compatriots in the
.S. to share their unique skill sets. American fellow
ardiologists are equally vociferous about wanting their
nternational brothers and sisters to be an integral part of
ur meetings. We realize how much we would miss without
he expert scientific presentations and the casual hallway
conferences” offered by CV specialists from every conti-
ent. This tapestry of talk generates fresh ideas for research
s well as practice strategies.
On behalf of our international members, the ACC is
dvocating for streamlined entrance into the U.S. for our
redentialed medical professionals. Our strong Annual Sci-
ntific Session department is addressing frustrations over
equirements that members be fingerprinted in their home
ountries before being permitted to enter the U.S. The
ollege wants to reassure our international members that
e are proactively working to ease this issue through
ntervention with the State Department.
In coming years, we may need to find better ways to be a
ommunity. This transition may need to occur not only
ecause of what is happening in the geopolitical sphere but
lso because of changes in continuing medical education
equirements throughout the world. Other methods of
ffectively disseminating information from all parts of the
orld community of cardiology will be explored. To this
nd, we have empowered a task force to examine the ACC’s
lobal programming and communication. The task force
urrently is studying the conversion of information pre-
ented in meetings into more accessible formats for all
embers, both domestic and international. The College
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1138 Wolk JACC Vol. 44, No. 5, 2004
President’s Page September 1, 2004:1137–8lso is cataloging contributions from researchers around the
orld and discussing ways to nurture communication be-
ween our major meetings and to improve scientific and
linical exchange across borders. We invite international
embers to share suggestions and concerns with the ACC’s
resident on an ongoing basis.
We also appeal to our international membership commu-
ity to continue to add to the global cardiology care
nowledge base. In recent trips to Italy, Britain, Germany,
pain, France, and Japan, for example, the presidential team
earned about educational topics that would intrigue cardi-
logists around the world, and we identified several out-
tanding cardiologists who will participate in future College
eetings.
As a result of those meetings, the College uplinked Italy
nd Germany to our electronic educational portal, Cardio-
ource, in order to enable global distribution of important
V content from those countries. The ACC plans to
nhance its international work, and leadership currently is
eeting with international CV leaders to design the new
aradigm. For example, we are working with public health
eaders, from the Minister of Health in China to the Prime
inister of Thailand, to pinpoint CV concerns indigenous
o those areas. We also are involving more of our interna-
ional members in ACC activities such as participating on
ur international committee, becoming abstract peer re-
iewers, and chairing sessions.In determining best patient-care practices, we recognize
ey scientific contributions made by ACC members outside
he U.S. Indeed, many important CV scientific discoveries
ave been made away from U.S. shores. The Journal of the
merican College of Cardiology has benefited greatly from our
nternational colleagues’ commitment to research. Every
ssue of this twice-monthly publication counts more than
0% of its contributed articles from international research-
rs. Generously sharing our knowledge dramatically im-
roves patient care wherever we call home.
Global science depends on our collective good will,
ooperation, and dedication. We value our professional
elationships with our colleagues around the world. As
V specialists and members of the ACC, we cement our
nternational fellowship. We must focus on things that
ring us together rather than issues that pull us apart. We
annot let our feelings about world events divert us from
ur true calling. We must reject geopolitical pressures
hat seek to undermine our ability to function as the
reeminent body for cardiology in the world. Indeed, the
ission of the College is based upon our CV common
round. Our perspective is scientific and educational—
ot political. We strongly affirm our universal commit-
ent to patient care.
end correspondence to: Dr. Michael J. Wolk, 520 East 72nd
treet, New York, New York 10021.


President's page: Cardiology without borders: Embracing a healthy global association 

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President's page: Cardiology without borders: Embracing a healthy global association

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