Program Description: This program will discuss and define access issues in minority communities and the social determinants of health that impact these issues. We will walk through guideline development/updates from the very early stages of scientific research that influences these updates, specifically focusing on the 2022 ACC/AHA/HFSA Guideline for Heart Failure. The information provided will describe the importance of AA’s participation in clinical trials and identify strategies to increase enrollment.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this program, participants will:

1. Have an increased knowledge of efficiency and safety of guideline directed medical therapies.
2. Understand the impact of access barriers for people of color.
3. Understand the importance, need and impact for minority participation in clinical trials and receive strategies to increase enrollment of this population.

Target Audience: All healthcare professionals involved in delivery of cardiovascular care, internists, advanced practice practitioners, cardiologists, family practitioners, pharmacists and healthcare administrators.

Faculty:

Melvin R. Echols, MD, FACC, FASPC
Associate Professor of Medicine
Department of Cardiology
Program Director, Cardiovascular Fellowship Program
Outpatient Cardiology Director, Camp Creek Comprehensive Clinic
Morehouse School of Medicine
Salary, Royalty, or Honoraria – American Diabetes Association
Consulting Fees (e.g., advisory boards) – Abbott
Supported/Contracted Research – Novartis

Jayne Morgan, MD
Cardiologist and Executive Director, Covid Task Force
Piedmont Healthcare Corporation
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine
The Morehouse School of Medicine
Owner and Creator, Stairwell Chronicles (science based news)

Wallace Johnson, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Medical Director, Center for Aortic Disease
IM Cardiology Subsection Chair, National Medical Association

Anekwe Onwuanyi, MD
President, Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc.
Professor of Medicine/Chief of Cardiology
Morehouse School of Medicine
Advanced Heart Failure Consultant
Medical Director, Heart Failure Program
Grady Health System

Onyedika Ilonze, MD, MPH, FACC, FHFSA
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology)
Indiana University School of Medicine

Khadijah Breathett, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FHFSA
Associate Professor of Medicine, Tenured
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute
Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant
Regenstrief Institute Affiliated Scientist
Indiana University

Keith C. Ferdinand, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA, FASPC
Chair, Access to Care Initiative, Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc.
Professor of Medicine
Gerald S. Berenson Endowed Chair in Preventive Cardiology
Tulane University School of Medicine

Christabel Elinsa Nyange, MD MPH
Fellow, Cardiovascular Disease
Morehouse School of Medicine

Sabra C. Lewsey, MD, MPH, FACC
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant
Johns Hopkins University SOM

ABC Planning Committee:

Tierra Dillenburg
Senior Manager
CME/CE Administration & Special Projects
Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc.

L. Neicey Johnson, BSN, Esq.
Senior Director of Programs
Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc.

Summary of Individual Disclosures:

Dr. Melvin Echols has disclosed the following financial relationships:
Salary, Royalty, or Honoraria: American Diabetes Association
Consultant: Abbott
Supported/Contracted Research: Novartis

Dr. Jayne Morgan has disclosed the following financial relationships:
Consultant: Moderna and Novartis

Dr. Onyedika Ilonze has disclosed the following financial relationships:
Speakers Bureau: Bristol Myers Squibb (Non branded education)

Dr. Keith Ferdinand has disclosed the following financial relationships:
Consultant: Amgen, Novartis, Lilly, Medtronic and Janssen

All relevant financial relationships and potential conflicts of interest have been mitigated.

Faculty, planners, and moderators for this educational activity not listed in the Summary of Individual Disclosures above have no relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) Credit Designation Statement: ABC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.