I was honored today to kick off the 2012 Leadership Forum in conjunction with the Cardiovascular Care Summit in Las Vegas. This is always an exciting opportunity to meet with new ACC leaders and not only introduce them to the ACC, but to get to know them on a personal level.

The packed agenda included a call to leadership by ACC CEO Jack Lewin, MD, who said great leaders have clarity and courage. He urged incoming leaders to establish direction, align people, motivate workforces and focus on dramatic and long-term change, while also playing a management role in terms of planning/budgeting, organizing staff and meeting short-term goals. ACC President David Holmes, Jr., MD, FACC; President-Elect William Zoghbi, MD, FACC; and Vice President John Gordon Harold, MD, MACC, also eloquently shared their thoughts on the topic "What is Your ACC Legacy? Standing on the Shoulders of Giants." All three leaders spoke of their leadership mentors, their own hopes for the College and advice for the future. Reinvigorating science and education, transforming technologies and establishing digital strategies and improving communications were among the priorities all three ACC leaders noted as priorities for the future. A tall order, but definitely doable!

Attendees also had the great honor of hearing Major General Hammond speak on "A Call to Duty: Leadership Lessons from the Front." Another session focused on navigating the increasing quagmire of educational requirements, including Maintenance of Certification, Maintenance of Licensure, imaging accreditation and Board certification. I can’t stress the importance for ACC leaders, both new and old, to understand these programs in order to prepare personally, but also be able to help our colleagues successfully comply and stay current with the exponential growth of new information.

In addition to the learning session, breakout groups throughout the day introduced new leaders to their roles on the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors and ACC Councils. In addition, Chapter Executives, Training Directors, Fellows in Training and current Governors and Trustees had opportunities to strategize and identify priorities for the next year. Several Fellows in Training participated in a special poster contest, the winner of which will be presenting at ACC.12. Incoming BOG Chair Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC, and I also recognized several ACC Chapters that excelled throughout 2011 in the areas of Education, Membership and Community, Advocacy and Quality. Overall winners in each area included Colorado (Education), California (Membership and Community), Maryland (Advocacy) and Wisconsin (James T. Dove Quality Award). I applaud the amazing efforts of these Chapters and am excited to see how their respective activities will translate to larger programs at the national level.

This is an exciting time to be a leader of the ACC. We are charting a new global future for cardiovascular care and new and emerging leaders are critical to us all being successful. Now is the time, in the words of Dr. Holmes, to take the gloves off, never take “no” for an answer, and simply “Go for it!”

The Cardiovascular Care Summit began with a special payer roundtable on Thursday evening following the close of the Leadership Forum. Check out the Summit agenda here.