Letter from President Dmitriy Feldman, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM

Dear Colleagues,

Season’s Greetings! As 2024 draws to a close, I am proud to reflect on an incredible year for the New York Chapter of the ACC. It has been a privilege to serve as your President alongside my co-Governor, Dr. Iyer, during our first year in these roles. Together, we’ve embarked on a journey to strengthen our chapter’s foundation and expand our impact, and your support has made this first year truly remarkable.

One of our primary focuses this year was the restructuring and revitalization of our chapter’s committees. This effort included inviting and encouraging greater member participation and ensuring our committees align with the diverse interests and needs of our membership. We reinvigorated the Early Career & FIT and Quality/Innovation Committees, providing fresh opportunities for early career members and FITs for greater growth and collaboration. Additionally, the Programs Planning Committee underwent significant transformation to expand the planning of future events, with the guidance of a dedicated chair and co-chair. The DE&I Task Force and Women in Cardiology (WIC) Committees also saw expansion, reflecting our chapter’s steadfast commitment to fostering inclusivity and representation. After all, the NYS diversity of our medical workforce is reflective of our socially, ethnically, and culturally diverse greater NY patient population. These changes have laid the groundwork for a more dynamic and engaging chapter, with exciting events planned for 2025 to bring these committees’ visions to life.

This year, I had the pleasure of meeting many of you through signature events such as the 2024 Shark Tank competition and the CVT Symposium. We were incredibly proud to see growing engagement and commitment to research and innovation of our early career and FIT members, presenting their research and novel cardiovascular ideas at the full house Shark Tank competition. These events showcased the incredible talent and dedication within our growing cardiovascular community.

Advocacy remains a cornerstone of our mission. In 2024, we amplified our efforts to address critical issues impacting cardiovascular care. Through our chapter’s participation in the ACC Legislative Conference and other advocacy initiatives, we worked to ensure that the voices of our members and patients were heard, including sustainable medicare payment practices, foster telehealth care transformation, maintain access to CV rehabilitation services, streamline prior authorization practices, increase community access to AEDs. As we move into 2025, we remain committed to championing policies that enhance patient access to CV services, improve clinical outcomes and support our professional workforce.

Looking ahead, I am filled with excitement for what’s to come. Our chapter’s mentorship programs, educational & community events, and advocacy initiatives will continue to grow, offering unparalleled opportunities for professional development and collaboration. I encourage all of you to engage with NYACC’s initiatives and share your ideas to help shape the future of our chapter. After all, this is YOUR chapter, and we need your ideas, passion and energy to bring our healthcare delivery mission into the future!

Thank you for your dedication and contributions to the New York Chapter of ACC. Your energy and commitment are what make our community thrive. Wishing you and your families a joyous holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

 

Warm regards,

Dmitriy N. Feldman, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM

President, New York Chapter of the American College of Cardiology