Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Tripucka
In honor of Volunteer Month, we're sharing Jennifer Tripucka's recent Heart Happenings Spotlight. She's a member of our community who contributes in numerous ways, including blogging and fundraising on her social media accounts. Learn more about Jennifer and her support of ACHA in this Q&A.
An Important ACHA National Conference Update
After much analysis and discussion, ACHA has made the final decision to transition our ACHA 9th National Conference to a virtual event. We thank you for remaining patient as we rescheduled our event twice throughout the last two years with consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety of our attendees at the forefront.
The two years of postponements have also allowed us to reflect on other considerations beyond the pandemic that have impacted this decision as well. The simple truth is that much has changed – within ACHA and within our country – since 2018 when we first announced this conference and started planning. While we know the National Conference has been a staple of ACHA that has made our organization unique from its earliest days, there are now many other programs at ACHA that make us one of a kind as well and enable us to reach more of the CHD population in an effective manner.
Applications Now Available for ACHA's Newest Research Grants
Since launching our emerging research program in 2019, ACHA has invested $300,000 to fund 10 investigations at ACHD centers across the country. We are excited to build upon our commitment to unlocking new discoveries for our patient population, and are thrilled to announce today that grant applications for ACHA’s 2022 Research Awards are now available!
As we announced in 2018, research is a part of our strategic plan with this overall goal: Fund research to improve the lives of CHD patients and future generations in partnership with medical professionals. We remain committed to funding adult CHD research and are dedicated to providing research funds in 2022 and beyond so that we can continue to support the critical research for all adult CHD patients and their family members.
ACHA Adds Five New Members to its Medical Advisory Board
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 nearly 2 million adults with CHD in the United States to assure that organizational policies meet the highest standards of scientific need and accuracy.
2021 ACHA Volunteer Award Winners
For the second year in a row, we are proud to announce the ACHA annual award recipients! Nominees in the following four categories were submitted by ACHA staff and board members: Fundraiser of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Influencer of the Year, and Organizational Partner of the Year. Once all nominees were submitted, the ACHA Emeritus Board reviewed the nominations and chose the winner for each category.
ACHA ACHD Accreditation Year-End Update
As 2021 winds down, we reflect back on the accomplishments of the ACHA ACHD Accreditation Program this year. Despite the pandemic, ACHA has continued to move programs forward in the process through virtual site visits and providing valuable feedback to further enhance patient care. We are thrilled to report there are currently 44 programs caring for more than 77,000 patients in a total of 27 states and counting.
ACHA’s Role in an ACHD Milestone: Board Certification
Due to successes in treating congenital heart disease (CHD) in childhood, more children with CHD are surviving to adulthood—resulting in more adults with CHD than children in the United States. The number of adults with CHD continues to grow every year.
From its inception more than 20 years ago, the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) knew our members struggled to find appropriate cardiology care. In 2001, ACHA first endorsed the creation of specialized adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) training.
A Tribute to Dr. Gary Webb, Longtime ACHA Supporter and ACHD Pioneer
We mourn the recent loss of Gary D. Webb, MD, an internationally recognized leader in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), and avid ACHA supporter and champion for the patient voice. Dr. Webb provided leadership and advice for more than two decades as a valued member of both the ACHA Medical Advisory Board and ACHA Emeritus Medical Advisory Board.
Board of Directors Recruitment Period Opens
The Adult Congenital Heart Association is currently recruiting highly-qualified candidates to serve on the ACHA Board of Directors (BOD). To learn more about the roles, responsibilities and qualifications for our BOD, please click here.
Volunteer Spotlight: Ted Wagner
A Q&A with the Captain of TEAM BEN HEART WARRIORS and Southern California Walk for 1 in 100 Supporter