American Cardiology College - Georgia Chapter

Message from the President

Robert N. Vincent, MD, FACC

Robert N. Vincent, MD, FACC
biography

I am excited and privileged to assume the role of President of the GA Chapter of the ACC, taking over from Dr. Joe Wilson. 2010 promises to be another year of change in the practice of medicine. 2 years ago when we met it was just after the election of Mr. Obama. Last year at this meeting, healthcare reform was on everyone’s minds, but the feeling was that nothing would pass. That was wrong. This year we will be meeting after the mid-term elections. A lot of predictions are being made, but in reality no one knows what will happen or what it will mean.

We are in a time of uncertainty. The only thing we know for sure is that our current system is said (by all) to be unsustainable and that change is necessary.

The American College of Cardiology (with our state participation) continues to lobby on behalf of patient care and your ability to provide it. At the same time we continue to move forward with CME events such as our annual meeting to make sure you have the tools that you need to stay cutting edge in the delivery of cardiovascular care.

We are happy to be back at the Ritz Carlton, Lake Oconee again this year. Those of you who have been with us before realize the uniqueness of this setting, the special environment we enjoy here and the quality of the program. The program committee has listened to your comments from previous years and has, I believe, put together an exceptional educational program for 2010.

Our goals for the weekend:

Provide information that is relevant and practical to the care of our patients.

To create a forum for dialog between fellow members regarding practice issues we face each day.

Develop communication between our members and our friends in industry.

Understand the changing face of healthcare, what ACC is doing nationally and what we might be doing locally and state wide.

Relax with family and friends.

This year the topic of the Friday Symposium is: “Essentials of Practice Management for Physicians”. This is a timely topic as it appears that most physicians in Georgia are either aligning or have aligned with a hospital system. Dr. Ralph Brindis, President of ACC National will be joining us for the symposium as well as the entire meeting as will many other experts on this topic. I urge you to join us this year and learn what is happening at the national level and what we need to be doing as a chapter.

As Dr. Wilson concluded last year in his Message from the President:

“The current political environment is moving to diminish our role as the physician in the profession of cardiac medicine. We as physicians and as a professional society must always focus on our patients. Now with that patient focus, we must speak loudly to all in Washington. Our ability to care for our patients is at stake. We convene here to further our knowledge in the care of cardiac patients and to stand together as an advocate for our patients.

Individually, we care for patients.
Collectively, we can influence the system.”

This is as true today as it was a year ago. I want to welcome each of you to our Chapter’s Annual Meeting and I hope to see as many of you as the Ritz can hold. Traditionally, we run out of rooms, so I encourage those of you who plan to attend to register early.”

Robert N. Vincent M.D.; C.M., FACC
President, Georgia Chapter of the ACC

ACC Distinguished Awards

Message from the President

CMS on the 2010 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule