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Partnership with Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia

 

ACC Past President and one of the Founders of the Florida Chapter C. Richard Conti, MD, MACC said:

All cardiovascular specialists need the company, the talents, the insights,

and the contributions of other human beings to grow and develop productively.

As we work with our own colleagues and other medical organizations in the United States,

it is obvious that it is just as important to develop relationships with cardiovascular specialists abroad.



2026 preceptorship banner

SPAIN  INTERNATIONAL CLINCAL EXPERIENCE

SEC PRECEPTORSHIP

 

The FCACC-SEC Preceptorship is an international clinical experience that aims to have Florida Chapter Members: FACCs, Associate Fellows, CVTeam Members (NP, RN, PharmD, PA), who are currently in practice (private/academic/hospital-based), learn about the health system in Spain. They will get in-depth presentations and observe the latest technologies and therapies in the hospital setting. The experience is built to foster camaraderie with colleagues in Spain and to appreciate the differences and similarities in practice. Members who join the delegation also form meaningful friendships with their Florida colleagues through exploration of the vibrant culture and cities that are included in the itinerary.

 

Details to know before committing to the program:

  • You need not speak Spanish; all hospitals are expecting English speakers.
  • The Chapter Office coordinates the program and will offer suggestions regarding hotel stays and other logistics. Onsite coordination of the itinerary is also provided. Members book their own hotel, air, and train travel.
  • The program has a limited number of slots. 
  • Spouses/guests are welcome at several of the dining events.
  • There is time built into the agenda to sightsee. If you want additional time to explore, it is suggested to build time into the front or back end of the schedule below.
  • Booking your hotel sleeping rooms early is highly encouraged, especially if you wish to stay at the Headquarters Hotels (see below for hotel details).

SAMPLE PRECEPTORSHIP SCHEDULE

Day 1

US-MADRID
Arrive in Madrid, Spain
Note: flights are overnight

Explore the city of Madrid


Day 2

 

 

MADRID

Morning/Afternoon
Explore the city of Madrid 

Evening
Group Dinner (guests invited)

Day 3

MADRID
Morning
Delegation travels to the Casa del Corazón for educational event and meeting of SEC Leadership.

Afternoon
Enjoy the city at your leisure

Evening
Delegate reception

Day 4

MADRID - SECOND CITY
Morning
Delegation travels to Madrid Hospital for Clinical Experiences

Afternoon
Delegation travels to second city via high-speed train AVE; check in to hotels

Evening
Delegation Dinner

Day 5

SECOND CITY
Morning
Delegation travels to Hospital for Clinical Experiences

Afternoon/Evening
Enjoy the city at your leisure

Formal programming concludes


Day 6

SECOND CITY - DEPARTURES
Travel to other destinations/Back to US


Financial Responsibilities

FCACC Provides:

  • Reception, Two Dinners
  • Travel to and from hospitals and Casa del Corazón
  • Travel stipend upon completion of Chapter's online reimbursement form

 

FCACC Members Responsible For:

  • All flights
  • Hotel reservations
  • Train to and from Seville
  • Other meals and incidentals

QUESTIONS? Email Jennifer Ray Beckman: jennifer@accfl.org

The FCACC and the Sociedad  Espanola de Cardiologia (SEC) are a part of the American College of Cardiology’s International Exchange program. The SEC-FCACC relationship was formed through a desire of both organizations to develop long-term relationships between cardiovascular professionals in the United States and Spain.

Spain Preceptorship 2026

Cardio on Air

FCACC joined our SEC colleagues to record a session of Cardio On Air: Outpatient Management of Chronic Cardiovascular Patients. The session focused on secondary cardiovascular prevention using automated monitoring systems, new therapies for advanced heart failure, and the comprehensive management of the cardio-oncology patient. Click on the image or here to listen.


Participants (left to right)

Sociedad  Espanola de Cardiologia (SEC)

Blanca Fabre Estremera, MD

Enrique Santas Olmeda, MD

Ignacio Fernández Lozano, MD - SEC President

FCACC

Mario Lopez, MD, FACC - International Committee Chair

David Kenigsberg, MD, FACC - FCACC President

Rhea Sancassani, MD, FACC - Women Cardiologists Committee Chair

Andrew Sephien, MD - FIT Committee Vice-Chair




cardio on air screenshot

Click here to view the 2025 presentation


We made the paper!photo of newspaper article

Thoughts on the Preceptorship Experience

"The clinical experience was extremely rich and comprehensive. Certainly it was a great privilege to be able to learn from several truly Spanish Masters of Cardiology and Science. I cannot wait to return to my Spanish colleagues and share the joy of learning." ~Octavio Cosme, MD, FACC 

"The FCACC-SEC exchange program is a unique opportunity to peek behind the barriers that separate healthcare systems and observe how things differ, and also how much we have in common. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in thinking about their own practice habits and how to improve them."  ~David Winchester, MD, FACC

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to visit the SEC and spend time with the congenital cardiologists (both pediatric and adult) at the Hospital General Universitario Gregario Maranon in Madrid. I learned about the Spanish medical system, and the many similarities and differences to ours. I had the opportunity to see how they are taking advantage of 3D printing to effectively improve congenital cardiac care. I am sure that we will see the work they are doing in their labs impact clinical outcomes in the next decade." ~Arwa Saidi, MEd, MBBCH, FAAP, FACC REVISTA ESPAÑOLA DE CARDIOLOGÍA is the official publication of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and is a bilingual international peer-reviewed journal dealing with cardiovascular medicine. Please visit
http://www.revespcardiol.org/en/# 
for REVISTA ESPAÑOLA DE CARDIOLOGÍA content.




Florida Chapter, American College of Cardiology
3208 E. Colonial Drive, Suite 264

Orlando, FL 32803

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