President's Message

May 2021

Dear FCACC Chapter Members:

The legislative session in Tallahassee wrapped up last week and there were many, many bills that dealt with health care. Our amazing lobbyist, Marnie George and her team went to hearings, attended committee meetings and represented us to lawmakers and other medical organizations. We consistently strove to ensure laws were positive for patients and practices. A rundown of what passed and the administrative challenges to the new regulations that will replace CON can be found at our website here.

Speaking of advocacy, an outstanding and vital way that we can assure our voices are heard in the house of medicine is to join our ACC Delegation to the Florida Medical Association. The FMA House of Delegates will be held July 30-August 1 in Orlando in conjunction with their annual meeting. If you would like to join some members of the Advocacy Committee and be a delegate representing the FCACC, please email Jennifer Ray Beckman at jennifer@accfl.org. The chapter will pay for the nights of July 30 and 31 at the conference hotel and give you a $200 travel stipend (you will register on your own). You may only represent one entity at the House of Delegates, so if you have committed for your county society you may not be one of our representatives. In addition you must be a member of the FMA. This is a terrific meeting and a great opportunity to caucus with your colleagues, advocate for our patients, and help to make a difference for our profession. Please consider joining our delegation. Let’s show the house of medicine that the cardiologists are united and engaged in advocating for our profession. 

Our flagship annual meeting - Where Science Meets Patient Care - will be a live, in-person experience this August 13-15 at Disney’s Yacht Club. While we may be spaced and served food instead of helping ourselves per whatever the CDC guidelines recommend, we will be together! I predict this will be a highlight of our year - to once again be learning, networking and having fun together. Click here to register and get your hotel room - at this time we have limited seating so sign up today.

This month we are thanking Tami Jungklaus, APRN, AACC, for her three years as our CVTeam Liaison - her leadership tenure saw new educational offerings and expanded advocacy roles for the team. Thank you Tami and welcome to Monica Sanford, ACNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, our new CVTeam Liaison from Pensacola. Looking forward to more from our team as always.

With summer coming I hope each of you takes time to enjoy this glorious month of May weather.

David Perloff, MD, FCACC

President, Florida Chapter ACC