American College of Cardiology
The American College of Cardiology in 2012
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| Type | Nonprofit medical association |
|---|---|
| Established | 1949 |
| Location |
Washington, D.C., United States 38°54′25.24″N 77°3′6.56″W / 38.9070111°N 77.0518222°W |
| Website | ACC Homepage |
The American College of Cardiology (ACC), based in Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit medical association established in 1949. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet its qualifications. Education is a core component of the College, which also states it is active in the formulation of health policy and a supporter of cardiovascular research.
The American College of Cardiology was chartered and incorporated as a teaching institution in 1949, and established its headquarters, called Heart House, in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1977. In 2006, the College relocated to Washington, D.C.'s West End neighborhood.
Past papers for the institution are held at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.
The ACC is governed by its officers, including the President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees. Members of the Board of Governors serve as grassroots liaisons between the local chapters and the College’s national headquarters. The President serves a one-year term.
The table below shows the presidents of the ACC since 1989.
The ACC has approximately 40,000 members, including physicians, registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, doctors of pharmacology and practice administrators, specializing in cardiovascular care. Becoming a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), Associate Fellow (AACC) or Affiliate member is based on training, specialty board certification, scientific and professional accomplishments and duration of active participation in a cardiovascular related field. At least 75 percent of professional activities must be devoted to the field of cardiovascular disease. Those achieving highest distinction in the field are awarded the title Master of the American College of Cardiology (MACC), a title bestowed upon a maximum of three practicing cardiologists each year.
The ACC maintains 51 chapters in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Chapters are legally distinct entities from national ACC and do not share budgets or staffing. However, as of 2008, national members automatically become members of a local chapter.
As early as the 1980s, the ACC partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) to develop the first clinical practice guidelines for cardiovascular practice. In the 1990s, the ACC used the guidelines to lay the groundwork for studies documenting discrepancies best and actual cardiovascular practices. The ACC works with national organizations such as the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to continually develop and update these guidelines.
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