Interview with Dr. Richard A. Chazal

Interview with Dr. Richard A. Chazal, Past President American College of Cardiology, conducted on 18 March 2017 by Dr. Kirsten Westphal

Patient care remains the heart of the matter

Looking back on his year as ACC president, Richard A. Chazal, MD, shares his top presidential priorities and how they have influenced the ACC, as well as his hopes for the future.

What do you consider the highlights of this year’s ACC?

Science and engagement. Pivotal findings were presented at the ACC.17 Late Breaking Clinical Trial Sessions in Washington DC. The quality of the science and the organisation of presentations organised by Scientific Sessions Chair Jeff Kuvin and Vice Chair Andy Kates was outstanding. The engagement of members from different segments of ACC (FIT’s and senior members) and from around the world was stimulating and educational.

What were the most surprising results? And why?

There was some surprise at the lack of mortality benefit from the intensive LDL-cholesterol lowering therapy with the PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab in the FOURIER trial, likely linked to a low overall mortality.

What do you consider the most important issues in cardiology today? How can ACC help to push these forward?

It is crucial to utilise new treatments and technologies in a responsible and cost effective manner and to avoid disparities in care across patient populations. ACC is striving to help by looking carefully at evidence and increasingly evaluating costs as well (per our Strategic Plan). The College and its leaders continue to focus on effective implementation of ACC’s Strategic Plan, which is centred on the key areas of purposeful education, transformation of care, member value and engagement, and population health.

ACC’s ultimate goal is to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health – and I believe the College has a duty to not only focus on this mission, but to ensure that patient care remains at the center of all that we do as an organisation and as professionals.

What would you like your legacy as ACC President to be?

Hopefully any legacy left from my presidency would reflect efforts to operationalise the linear plans put in place by ACC, rather than any personal agenda while keeping the importance of patient care as the prime driver.

Do you have something special on your mind you want to share with your fellow Cardiologists?

Today is perhaps the most challenging and exciting time ever to be in the cardiovascular field. The opportunity to leverage rapidly evolving science toward the goal of helping our fellow man is a complicated puzzle with great reward that makes this the best job possible!

How has the College expanded its educational mission worldwide?

Increasing bi-directional engagement of fellow practitioners around the world for bi-directional learning has grown exponentially over the past decade. Doing so through our International Chapters (via cardiology societies in the various countries) has been crucial to this engagement.

It is my hope that the ACC continues to grow as a vehicle for serving cardiovascular professionals as the work to achieve the highest quality of care for patients.



Posted on 19 March, 201717 March, 2021