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.
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.
Medical Advisory Board Recruitment Period Opens
The Adult Congenital Heart Association is currently recruiting Medical Advisory Board (MAB) members. The term for this round of MAB members will begin on January 1, 2020, and run for three years.
ACHA Announces Funding of Organization’s Inaugural Research Grants
The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) has funded six research grants to advance the science of congenital heart disease (CHD) in adults. With the advent of this new ACHA program, the organization aims to improve the lives of CHD patients and future generations in partnership with medical professionals.
“If it were not for medical research and innovation, adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) would not exist as a field,” says Jamil Aboulhosn, MD, FACC, FSCAI, ACHA Medical Advisory Board Chair, noting that in the textbooks of the early 20th century, there was barely a mention of CHD. “There are so many questions that are still unasked and unanswered in this field and it is imperative that we do our part to move things forward, and that can only happen through research and innovation.”