Make an Impact: Join Our Board
The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) is looking for its next generation of leaders to fill critical positions on our national Board of Directors, the elected group of volunteers who support the work of ACHA and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. The Nominating Committee needs your help in identifying candidates for the Board!
ACHA Releases National Conference Brochure
With just under four months to go until ACHA's 7th National Conference in Chicago, Sept. 5-7, our planning has kicked into high gear! We hope you will register for our event—Translating Quality of Care into Quality of Life—soon, taking advantage of early registration pricing. Learn all about the conference at www.achaheart.org/2014conference.
Announcing ACHA's New Executive Director
Dear ACHA supporters,
On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors, I am very excited to announce the hiring of our new National Executive Director, Glenn Tringali. Glenn’s experience and success in expanding membership, medical education and member support match ACHA’s important mission to improve and extend the lives of those with congenital heart disease.
A Community United: Contact Your Legislators on February 27!
On February 27, 2014, congenital heart disease (CHD) advocates will be reaching out to their lawmakers to ask for three simple things:
- Research
- Data Collection
- Caucus Participation
Leadership Update: A Message from our New Board Chair
I became a member of the congenital heart disease community 32 years ago when our obstetrician said we needed to go immediately to meet with a cardiologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Since then I’ve been a frightened parent, a grateful recipient of highly professional medical advice, a parent in denial regarding the impact of my child’s heart defects, a proud father, a loyal donor, and recipient of the support of ACHA and the adult CHD community.
ACHA National Conference Planning Team Update
We hope you have saved the date for ACHA’s 7th National Conference at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza! We look forward to hosting patients, family members, medical providers and researchers from September 5-7, 2014, for this unique opportunity that allows the entire ACHD community to come together to interact, learn and build hope for the future.
ACHA Announces Interim Director
The Adult Congenital Heart Association welcomes new interim executive director Gail Ober, MSW, LSW, to the organization. Gail brings to ACHA extensive experience in designing and leading organizational development and transformations, including growth, alliances and mergers.
ACHA Leadership Announcement
From Amy Verstappen:
It is with both sadness and pride that I write today to announce my departure from my job as ACHA’s President and CEO. My 52-year-old “backwards heart” has made clear that meeting the tremendous time and energy demands of running ACHA is no longer possible. As I make this life change, I am comforted and inspired by the many ACHA members I have watched negotiate increasing cardiac challenges while living lives full of contentment, activity, and satisfaction. I look forward to this next life stage, in which I can continue to advocate for a better future for congenital heart patients, but with fewer hours, less stress, and more relaxation.
ACHA Announces Medical Fellowship for Specialty Training
The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the long-term health of individuals born with heart defects, announces the creation of the ACHA Actelion Fellowship Award to increase the availability of specialized congenital heart care.
The fellowship, funded by Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., will offer training awards to two institutions in the United States with a commitment to high-quality adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) care. These awards will be used to provide two years of special training for cardiologists wishing to specialize in caring for adults with CHD.
Leadership Update: Addressing the Crisis in Access to ACHD Care
Since 1998, ACHA has spoken out about the crisis in access to ACHD care. Although there are more than 3,000 pediatric cardiologists nationwide, there are currently no more than 100 specially-trained ACHD cardiologists, despite the fact that care guidelines jointly published by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association state that every person born with complex congenital heart disease should receive lifelong care from CHD specialists. Most survivors of complex congenital heart disease have either dropped from cardiac care or are being cared for by cardiologists without training in their special needs.