News
Volunteer Spotlight: Stephen Back, MD
How did you learn about ACHA?
I was born in 1974 with single ventricle, transposition of the great arteries and coarctation of the aorta. I had four surgeries during my childhood, which included the Fontan procedure in 1985. I had done remarkably well until early in 2013 when my wife, Jacqui, had voiced her concerns that she had seen a decline in my health.
Medical Leaders of ACHA Initiate Worldwide COVID-19 Study in Adults with CHD
After seeing that there were no clear and concise data regarding patients with CHD and COVID-19 available across the world, ACHA’s medical leadership led the way in the creation of a dedicated database that medical providers will be using in the United States and abroad.
CMS Approves Unique Subspecialty Code for ACHD
Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved "Adult Congenital Heart Disease Specialists" as a unique subspecialty and designated an ACHD subspecialty code. This is a critical step to ACHD program building and improving access around the country to high-quality ACHD care. The unique distinction for ACHD allows ACHD cardiologists to be recognized by CMS—and hence other insurance companies—as a distinct subspecialty and different from general (adult) cardiology and pediatric cardiology. Without this distinct code, ACHD cardiologists are evaluated and measured the same as general cardiologists and therefore outcome data and quality metrics and measures do not fully represent the patient population or the field of ACHD.
To Continue Our Mission, We Need You
Dear ACHA Members and Supporters,
I hope this letter finds you safe and in good health during this unprecedented time.
Over the past weeks, ACHA has remained a leader and committed to keeping the CHD community informed. More than 17,000 of you have watched our free webinars addressing COVID-19 or have accessed our COVID-19 FAQ. Through our network of ACHA ACHD accredited centers, and the dedicated leadership of our Medical Advisory Board, ACHA is uniquely positioned to gather information as this situation continues to evolve, and that is what we will strive to do. That is our commitment to you.
ACHA Announces Newest Medical Advisory Board Members
The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) has announced the newest additions to the organization’s Medical Advisory Board (MAB), joining dozens of other medical providers specializing in the field of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care. ACHA MAB members play a crucial role in offering expert opinions on research and medical developments in ACHD and the needs of the ACHD population (approximately 1.4 million Americans) to assure that organizational policies meet the highest standards of scientific need and accuracy.
COVID-19 Response Update
ACHA Members and Supporters,
We all can agree these are indeed exceptional times for our CHD family, our nation and our global community. While so much is unknown, I hope all of you are actively engaging in the necessary recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many states and municipalities to help keep you and your family healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 and Adult Congenital Heart Association Events
The Adult Congenital Heart Association is actively monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The safety of our members and supporters is of utmost importance to us. For that reason, ACHA will continue to monitor COVID-19 and assess the status of our events.
ACHA ACHD Accreditation Found to Improve Patient Survival While Waiting for Heart Transplant
ACHA ACHD Program Accreditation continues to develop and grow with 34 fully accredited programs and several more initiating and completing the process. Programs of all sizes—with widespread geographic locations and various care models—have met the criteria to become fully accredited. The ACHA Accreditation Program was designed and developed by providers and patients to meet the needs of the ACHD patient population and improve the quality of care delivered throughout the United States.
ACHA to Recognize Evan Michael Zahn, MD, for Contributions to Congenital Interventional Cardiology
The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) has announced Evan Michael Zahn, MD, professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Guerin Family Congenital Heart Program in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, as its honoree for the organization’s Los Angeles Benefit on November 2. Dr. Zahn will be honored for his contributions to the field of adult congenital cardiology during a fundraiser from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Propagator, part of Firestone Walker Brewing Company, in Marina Del Rey.
ACHD National Registry Survey Responses Needed
Development of a patient-driven adult congenital heart disease national registry is in progress and your feedback is needed on surveys that will be used to assess patient reported outcomes on overall health and well-being.