16th Annual Scientific Meeting - Heart Failure Society of America

President’s Message
On behalf of the Executive
Council and the Program
Committee of the Heart Failure
Society of America it is my
pleasure to welcome you to the
15th Annual Scientific Meeting.
Last year, my comments at
this Opening Session focused
on the quality and diversity of
the program developed by the
Program Co-Chairs and their
hard-working colleagues on
the Program Committee. I also
noted that for the first time,
we added a third Co-Chair,
Barbara Riegel, to invigorate the
program for nurses, a critical
constituency with an expanding
role in the management of heart failure patients. I would like to be
able to say that this was a timely change, but many would consider it
long-overdue.
I’m sure everyone would agree that heart failure is an exciting field,
characterized by remarkable scientific advances and innovative
therapies. The optimal management of heart failure requires extensive
collaboration among professionals. We have seen the roles of advanced
practice nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, exercise physiologists,
rehabilitation specialists, and social workers burgeon with very positive
results. This kind of collaboration is critical to our mission and to the
lives of our patients. It is my hope that HFSA will support and continue
to propagate this collaboration among these disciplines.
For me, this meeting marks the end of my two-year term as HFSA
President. As President, we saw a rapidly changing environment and
were forced to make some tough changes to our organization.
Last year, we commenced a strategic planning initiative. The resulting
document, which was published in the February 2012 issue of the
Journal of Cardiac Failure, outlined a number of goals intended to
guide and measure the organization’s future success. A few years
ago, recognizing the growing interest in and importance of heart
failure, HFSA took the lead in pushing for a new subspecialty in
Advanced Heart Failure and Transplantation, with its own certification
examination. There was a great interest in this, and HFSA conducted
several very well attended preparation courses. The pass rate was
very high for those that took these courses, and our meetings now
incorporate sessions devoted to maintenance of certification.
Having created this new subspecialty, we have also commenced
an extremely important initiative to advocate for appropriate
reimbursement for consultations performed by heart failure specialists.
At present, consultations by heart failure specialists are not reimbursed
if the patient has previously been seen by a cardiologist. We are
working actively to overcome this hurdle, which we believe will
greatly benefit both heart failure patients and practitioners.
1. Advocacy
Goal: HFSA is recognized as the primary advocate for heart failure
practitioners and patients.
2. Membership
Goal: HFSA will increase its membership by 10% per year for 3 years
from all disciplines working in the area of heart failure.
3. Education
Goal: HFSA is recognized for its innovative approaches to educating
and information dissemination on heart failure, targeting healthcare
professionals and patients.
4. Communications
Goal: HFSA has increased awareness and recognition of the value of
its services both within its membership and with external audiences.
5. Collaboration:
Goal: In the past HFSA has been seen by some as an organization
that eschews collaboration. In the past two years, I have seen
and encouraged a change to more openness in working with other
organizations that share our goals and interests. Recent examples
include reciprocal participation in meetings of organizations such as
the AAHFN, ACC, AHA, and HRS. We have also jointly developed
guidelines, performance measures, and topic-specific white papers.
Similarly, we have worked collaboratively to ensure availability and
appropriate use of new devices
Recruitment of a CEO:
Obviously, this is an ambitious agenda, and to implement it we
are delighted to have recruited a CEO to oversee and support it. I’m
delighted to introduce Michele Blair, who has assumed this position
and will join us on the podium at the opening plenary session of our
meeting. Michelle has a long record of administering organizations in
the medical field. She arrived in March of 2012 and has proven to be
a quick learner.
I wish my successor, Tom Force, the best. Having worked closely with
Tom over the last two years, I am confident that HFSA will continue to
be in good hands.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Program Committee, led by
Lynne Stevenson, Steve Hauser, and Barbara Riegel. Whether you are
a clinician or researcher, physician, nurse, or pharmacist, or a trainee,
this program will cover topics that will be useful in your practice and
work.
Importantly, we view our meeting’s success not only by the knowledge
gained, but also by the enjoyment that attendees have in gaining it. We
hope you find this year’s program to be informative and rewarding. As
always we welcome and encourage your feedback.
I hope you enjoy Seattle, leave energized, and take home new
ideas that will enhance your professional goals and continue you
involvement with HFSA.
HFSA’s Five-Year Goals
Barry M. Massie, MD
This strategic plan outlined 5 specific goals that represent anticipated
President, Heart Failure Society of America 2011-12
outcomes intended to guide and measure the organization’s future
success.
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