4700. Implementation Science: Best Practices For Health Equity in Cardiovascular Medicine

Translating evidence-based practices and research into practical clinical settings comes with challenges, and successfully overcoming these obstacles is vital for enhancing healthcare delivery and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Implementation science has emerged as a dynamic field dedicated to developing robust methods that seamlessly integrate evidence-based practices, interventions, and health policies into healthcare and public health frameworks. The primary objective of implementation science is to improve population health outcomes by ensuring that successful interventions are both effective and adaptable to the unique contexts of diverse healthcare settings. This session will feature presentations on principles and concepts of implementation science, followed by case studies and best practices.

Speakers

Phillip D. Levy, MPH, MD, FACC (Moderator)

Demetria M. (McNeal) Bolden, MBA, PhD

Khadijah Breathett, MD, MS, FACC

4701. Small Focus, Big Impact: Residents Advancing Health Equity in Their Communities Through the ACC Internal Medicine (IM) Cardiology Program's Community Demonstration Projects

In 2024, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) launched the Community Demonstration Projects (CDP), a pilot program through the Internal Medicine (IM) Cardiology Program. The purpose of CDPs are to provide opportunities to program participants to implement health equity focused, community-based initiatives, and the experience from these projects is meant to strengthen those individuals' cardiology fellowship application and research experience. During this session, the principal investigators will discuss social determinants of health in the community, project design and interventions, and lessons learned. Audience members will have an opportunity to learn about designing programs to address social determinants of health and gaps in care in their community.

Speakers

Melvin Echols, MD, FACC (Moderator)

Akwasi Aduboffour, MD

Alaukika Agarwal, MD

Alexandra Millhuff, DO

4702. Building the Bridge to Better Health: Enhancing Cardiovascular Care Through Community Care Extenders

Improving cardiovascular health outcomes in underserved populations hinges on the ability of healthcare practitioners to effectively engage with communities through innovative approaches that position communities as essential experts, active stakeholders, and collaborative partners. This panel discussion will highlight the pivotal role of care extenders, such as community health workers, in delivering culturally sensitive education tailored to the specific needs of the community, helping individuals navigate the complex healthcare landscape, and fostering collaboration among community members and health and social services organizations. Panelists will explore opportunities to integrate care extenders into existing and future programs through the framework of the Rural Cardiovascular Health Initiative (RCHI), a collaboration between ACC and the JF Maddox Foundation, to improve cardiovascular outcomes in rural New Mexico.

Speakers

Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, FACC (Moderator)

Annette Ansong, MD, FACC

Laura Gryder, BAsc

Mayra Lovas MPh, MS

Sarah Slone, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CCRN, FACC

Thad Waites, MD, MACC

4703. Improving Heart Health For All: Designing Clinical Trials to Eliminate Gaps in Cardiovascular Outcomes

Clinical research is a cornerstone in developing therapies and devices, informing guidelines, improving heart health, patient outcomes, and patient safety, and expanding availability of treatments to patient populations. A crucial component to ensure data from clinical trials will result in improved patient outcomes is a diverse patient population that considers demographics, such as gender, age, race, ethnicity, and more. This session will feature clinical trials experts discussing the importance of diverse patient populations on patient outcomes and best practices in recruiting individuals from a variety of communities.

Speakers

Megan Coylewright, MD, MPH, FACC (Moderator)

Wayne Batchelor, MD, FACC

Leslie Cho, MD, FACC

Brototo Deb, MD

Nosheen Reza, MD, MS, FACC

4704. Partnerships to Save Lives: Collaborations Among Medical Societies and Organizations to Advance Equity

Achieving ACC's vision of a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes requires collaborations and partnerships with multiple organizations, including CV specialty societies medical and public health organizations. Building on existing efforts, as well as forging new relationships, ACC works to advance health equity with multiple cardiovascular organizations. Featured in this session will be leaders from the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), Association of American Indians (AAIP), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This session will feature a panel discussion about efforts to advance health equity between ACC and other organizations.

Speakers

Mary Norine Walsh, MD, MACC (Moderator)

Katrice Cain, MA (AAMC)

Shannon Haffey, MHSA (AMA)

Barbara Hutchinson, MD, PhD, FACC (ABC)

Blair Matheson, MD (AAIP)

William McDade, MD, PhD (ACGME)

Robert Roswell, MD, FACC (ACC Health Equity Committee)

4705. Championing Communities of Health: A Cross-Industry Panel Discussion on Community Education, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Screening Programs

ACC's Strategic Plan prioritizes health equity as a crucial part of the College's future. Without addressing inequities in all aspects of care, including community education, prevention, and screening, and community-based programs that address social determinants of health, it will be impossible to build a future where cardiovascular disease is no longer the #1 killer worldwide. Tackling these challenges requires cross-sector collaboration and commitment. This panel discussion will focus specifically on ACC's Health Equity strategy and priorities, the role both ACC and its partners play in improving patient outcomes, and insights from collaborators in the Life Sciences industry.

Speakers

Paul Douglass, MD, MACC (Moderator)

Alison Bailey, MD, FACC

Leandro Boer, MD, PhD
Amgen

Melvin Echols, MD, FACC

JoAnne Foody, MD, FACC
Johnson & Johnson

Kendra Grubb, MD, MHA, MSc, FACC
Medtronic

Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC

James Min, MD, MSCCT
Cleerly

Alanna Morris, MD, MSc, FACC
Bayer

Trish Solliday, MBA
Boston Scientific

4706. Lived Experiences at the Center of Care: A Patient Engagement Panel Discussion

With a growing focus on community-based programs to address social determinants of health, cardiovascular education and prevention, and screening services, the lived experiences of patients are critical factors in the success of these efforts. How patients interact with healthcare delivery models and providers can impact trust, medication adherence, and outcomes. This session will focus on patients' lived experiences in cardiovascular care with insights from experts and providers who experienced adverse health outcomes in their lives.

Speakers

Melanie S. Sulistio, MD, FACC (Moderator)

Margaret Barnett, NP, FACC

Melvin Echols, MD, FACC

Eugenia Gianos, MD, FACC

Tyler J. Gluckman, MD, FACC

Mayra E. Guerrero, MD, FACC

4707. Roadmaps to Equity: Personal Journeys and Future Opportunities For the New Generation of Leaders in Health Equity

As ACC implements its Health Equity Strategy and launches the Health Equity Committee, there is a need to continue to expand the field of health equity advocates to create, and sustain, a culture of health equity in cardiovascular medicine. To that end, this session will feature a panel discussion with experts and leaders came sharing their personal experiences in health equity advocacy, the importance of growing the next generation of health equity experts and advocates, and opportunities to get involved in existing health equity programs.

Speakers

Andrew P. Miller, MD, FACC (Moderator)

Nausheen Akhter, MD, FACC

Jill A. Patton, RN, MSN, CRNP, AACC

Sarah T. Plummer, MD, FACC

Kadijah F. Porter, MD, MS

Eugene Yang, MD, MS, FACC