Indiana-ACC Newsletter, March 2025

Dear Indiana-ACC Colleague,

As my three-year term as your Indiana-ACC Chapter President draws to a close on March 31, 2025, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the privilege of serving you. These years have brought the joy of collaborating with remarkable cardiologists, cardiovascular team members, and fellows in training across our state as we worked together to fulfill our vital mission: transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all Hoosiers.

I must acknowledge several individuals who have been instrumental to our chapter's success. Emily Keltner, MA, our outgoing CV team state representative, has been an exceptional partner in leadership. The unwavering support of our board members, past president Donald Westerhuasen, MD, FACC, and our dedicated volunteers has been crucial to our achievements. I want also to recognize Gwen Goldfarb, our chapter executive, who manages all chapter activities and is a strong advocate for our members and the chapter.

As I pass the torch to our incoming president, Parin Patel, MD, FACC, and as Emily passes the torch to our incoming CV team state representative Angela Raymer, MBA, I am confident that the chapter will continue to thrive under their capable leadership. Thank you for the friendship and collaboration we've shared in service to the Indiana-ACC.

Indiana-ACC Legislative Day

The Indiana-ACC recently held its annual Legislative Day on February 13th in Indianapolis, where members advocated for issues impacting clinicians and patients across the state. We joined with Tobacco-Free Indiana to raise awareness about the harms of tobacco and advocated for an increase in the cigarette tax, and Julie Clary, MD, FACC, addressed the forum about these important issues.

In addition to the cigarette tax, among the key issues addressed during the Legislative Day were prior authorization and non-compete agreements. Members of the Indiana-ACC provided insights, enabling legislators to make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of patients and the efficient delivery of high-quality care.

By building strong relationships with state lawmakers, the Indiana-ACC continues to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and regulations that affect the cardiovascular community. This proactive approach ensures that the voices of our members and patients are heard.

See talking points and photos here.

Take Action: Ban Non-Competes for ALL Physicians in Indiana

We need your help supporting key legislation that would ban non-compete agreements for ALL physicians in Indiana. Non-competes can adversely affect our patients and their care, and the consolidation of large hospitals has only exacerbated the problem. In underrepresented minority groups and in rural areas, where there are fewer cardiologists, the departure of a cardiologist can lead to reduced patient access and quality of care. Additionally, they limit competition, leading to increased costs for patients and decreased quality of care. 

Senate Bill 475 has garnered bi-partisan support and passed overwhelmingly in the Senate. We now need your help to make sure it passes the House.

State of the State

Each year, ACC Chapters compile a State of the State report. You can read Indiana-ACC's full State of the State report for the American College of Cardiology here. One highlight from this past year was that the Indiana-ACC public health and advocacy committees wrote and sponsored two resolutions both of which passed at the Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) convention on September 6-8th and became part of the 2025 agenda for the organization. The resolutions focused on seeking out and supporting legislation in Indiana to remove non-competes for subspecialists and to raise awareness for enhanced CV risk among the South Asian population. Having stronger ties to ISMA will allow Indiana-ACC to be more impactful on the advocacy front both in the current and future legislative sessions.

ABMS Denies House of Cardiology's Application to Create the American Board of CV Medicine

The American Board of Medical Specialties has denied the application put forth by the ACC, American Heart Association (AHA), the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) to create a new, independent American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCVM).

"We are deeply disappointed with the American Board of Medical Specialties' decision not to approve the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine as a new, independent board for cardiology," said ABCVM Chair Jeffrey Kuvin, MD. "We feel strongly that the ABCVM met all the criteria required for a new Board, including aligning with the rigorous, recently updated ABMS 'Standards for Continuing Certification' and garnering widespread support from the cardiovascular community." Read more.

Contact Us

If Gwen Goldfarb, our chapter executive, or I can be of assistance to you, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Vijay

You're invited!

Multi-Chapter Meet & Greet

5:00-6:30 pm Central Time

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta

2106 S. Indiana Ave.

Chicago, IL 60616

Take a moment to unwind during ACC.25 and connect with your cardiology peers! Join members and leaders from the Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio Chapters for an evening of networking and camaraderie. Don’t miss this opportunity to foster collaborations and enjoy insightful conversations.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Special thanks to ZOLL.

Save the Date!

2025 Indiana-ACC Annual Meeting

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Marriott Indianapolis North

REGISTER NOW

Join Voices for Cardiovascular Research

JACC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are teaming up to give cardiovascular (CV) clinicians a voice in shaping national health care and research priorities. Provide your feedback in a brief survey to identify critical questions surrounding FDA-regulated products—drugs, biologics, devices, food, and tobacco—that influence your practice. Help shape the evidence landscape for cardiovascular care, by providing your feedback by April 14! Act now.

Call For Submissions: Featured Impact Speaker at ACC’s 75th Anniversary Gala 

Have you participated in one of ACC’s leadership development programs? Do you have a great story to share about how it impacted you? Submit your story for a chance to be the featured impact speaker at ACC’s 75th Anniversary Gala on Friday, March 28 at the Field Museum in Chicago, IL. As the featured impact speaker, you’ll share the stage with ACC leaders, renowned cardiologists and key supporters from across the cardiovascular community. To be considered, record a short video that showcases your story. The chosen impact speaker will receive a complimentary seat at the Gala and travel expenses up to $1,500. Submissions are due by Monday, Feb. 10. Learn more.  

ACC.25 Crowd-Sourced Session: Private Equity in Cardiology – Can Clinicians and Patients Thrive Here? 

You asked, we listened! Based on ACC member and ACC.25 attendee input, ACC.25, taking place March 29-31, in Chicago, IL, will feature a dynamic session exploring the growing role of private equity in cardiology and its impact on clinicians and patient care. Led by ACC President Cathleen Biga, MS, FACC, and Edward T.A. Fry, MD, MACC, this session brings together top experts to provide key insights into the history of private equity in cardiology, the pros and cons of private equity involvement, and impacts on patient outcomes. Don’t miss this essential conversation on one of the most pressing issues in cardiovascular care today taking place Monday, March 31 at 1 p.m. CT. Add it to your calendar. Plus, don’t miss out on Advance Registration rates before they’re gone. The last day for the reduced rates is Feb. 12.

JACC Leadership Page: Clinical Guidance: Empowering the Profession  

A new JACC Leadership Page by ACC President Cathleen Biga, MSN, FACC; Ana Barac, MD, PhD, FACC; and Nicole Bhave, MD, FACC, provides an overview of the types of clinical guidance developed by the College, including clinical guidelines, and highlights ongoing efforts to optimize processes, embrace innovative formats and leverage new technologies to enhance content delivery and ensure the ACC “stays ahead of the curve.” Read more. Visit the HeartTalk With Cathie page to listen to the December presidential discussion about the power of clinical guidance.  

WATCH NOW: New ACC Leadership Brief Highlight January BOT Key Takeaways  

ACC President Cathleen Biga, MSN, FACC, highlights key discussion topics from the recent January Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting in Washington, DC. Top insights include member engagement efforts, strategic plan metrics, sustaining the College’s 75th year legacy, and more. The ACC Leadership Brief video series keeps you connected following each BOT meeting. Watch now

JACC Journal Club: TRILUMINATE and TRISCEND II Results 

The JACC Journal Club invites you to a virtual discussion, Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 5:30 p.m. ET, on the 1-year results of the TRILUMINATE and TRISCEND II pivotal trials. Study investigators Gilbert Tang, MD, MSc, MBA, FACC, and Suzanne Arnold, MD, join guest discussants Paul Fiorilli, MD, FACC, and Sajjad Sabir, MD, for an engaging conversation on what their results mean for the future of tricuspid valve interventions. Register here and get caught up on the latest science with the JACC transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions special focus issue. 

CardioSmart is the ACC’s dedicated home for patient tools and resources, including infographics, shared decision-making aids, and more. Find information on specific clinical conditions, health lifestyle choices and more at CardioSmart.org.