The ACC’s 2011 Legislative Conference kicked off last night with a full dinner program to benefit the College’s Political Action Committee. ACC President David Holmes, MD, FACC, welcomed the more than 350 attendees to the 20^th annual conference, urging them to take advantage of this time for the cardiovascular community to come together and speak with one voice.

Dr. Holmes was followed by a special tribute to 9/11 victims and U.S. military members. The ACC PAC made a contribution to the Yellow Ribbon Fund that was accepted by Captain Dan Berchinski, who lost both legs in Afghanistan. The Yellow Ribbon Fund is an amazing group dedicated to helping injured service men and women and their families while they are in recovery and it was an honor to have someone who benefited from this group with us.

General Stanley McChrystal closed the evening with a thought-provoking speech on “Plywood Leadership.” General McChrystal talked about the ways that plywood by itself is a cheap, flimsy wood, but put together it is strong and can be used to build just about anything. He reminded the crowd that alone we are like single sheets of plywood, but working together and bringing our own unique strengths we can lead change.

As I participate in a panel this morning on the “State of Cardiology” with Dr. Holmes and ACC BOG Chair-Elect Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC, I am reminded of just how accurate this analogy truly is. As we react to the changing health care environment we need to understand both the national and state issues that impact the care we provide to our patients. It is going to take all of us as individuals coming together to lead the nation in shaping health care policy. Like plywood we also need to remember to be flexible and open to having our ideas torn down or modified as we move forward.

See the video below for discussion of the meeting from Bo Walpole, MD, FACC, ACC PAC Chair, and Jerry Kennett, MD, FACC, ACC Advocacy Committee Chair.