Update from the CEO, Michele Blair

Dear HFSA Member,

Having recently completed three years of service to the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), I am privileged to continue in my role as your Chief Executive Officer.  We’ve made many positive changes and initiated new programs, and we are actively advocating on behalf of heart failure specialists and patients.

These are exciting times in the heart failure field, with many new therapies under study and several either approved or forthcoming to the FDA.  The 19th Annual Scientific Meeting is sure to be a success with new sessions and innovative programs added to the schedule.  Please note that the meeting has moved up by a day and a half, so please make plans to arrive to the meeting on Friday, September 25th.

HFSA has created a task force to better understand and improve the quality of care, and has increased its efforts to assist patients and improve existing gaps in the system of care.  We will be hosting a Patient Day Health Fair on Saturday, September 26 during the Annual Meeting.  In the collaborative spirit on which our organization is built, we’ve formed many new relationships with other cardiology and patient focused associations as well as those in the primary care setting.

The HFSA Board Review course (held during even-numbered years and intended for board exam preparation) continues to receive exemplary ratings.  Attendees gave us glowing feedback after the board certification exam, insisting they would not have passed without our course.   We now have 822 board certified physicians, and with 61 certified heart failure fellowship programs in the US, that number will continue to grow.  The HFSA Comprehensive Review course, held in the odd-numbered years, typically attracts a multi-disciplinary audience with a majority of attendees being nurses and pharmacists.  This year, the Comprehensive Review course will be held in Tampa, Florida on October 22-25, and we encourage you to attend.

Finally, HFSA is pleased to welcome and introduce several new staff members to its organization.  All of our employees bring a wealth of non-profit association experience and unique skills from their prior career roles, and we look forward to their shared passion and commitment towards working with HFSA to advance knowledge and training in the field of heart failure.

Jaime Abreu
Executive Vice President, CME and Educational Programs

Jaime has taken on the role previously handled by Bart Galle.  Jaime works on all educational program planning, including the Annual Meeting and Review Courses, speaker management and responsibilities related to our CME accreditation.  Jaime is staffing the Education committee.

Patrice Guzman
Senior Manager, Programs and Patient Advocacy

Patrice is filling a brand new position at HFSA to manage new programs related to patient advocacy, quality care and fundraising. Her role calls for improving outcomes for patients through dissemination of information and innovative approaches to educating patients on heart failure.  Patrice is responsible for grant writing and managing community outreach programs.  Patrice is staffing the Development and Nursing committees, and will be taking over the Research committee.

Lauren Harley
Associate Manager, CME and Educational Programs

Lauren has been promoted from Executive Assistant to a new position to assist Jaime Abreu in the planning and organizational responsibilities in this very busy department.  Lauren also staffs important committees including Nominations committee and the Lifelong Achievement committee.

Nelea Johnson
Executive Assistant

Nelea has an impressive history working in a healthcare association setting.  She has taken on the challenging position of scheduling, committee preparation and minutes and office management.

Anna Leong
Publications Manager

Anna is serving dual roles as Managing Editor of the Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF) and managing all aspects of HFSA’s website and social media.  Anna assisted in the transition of the new Editor in Chief in  January, 2015, and  Paul J. Hauptman, MD, has assumed full duties as the current Editor in Chief. Anna is staffing the Guidelines and Publications committees.

Patrick McGary
Chief Operating Officer

Patrick has come on staff to take on a newly developed and integral role in system development and management, enhancing organizational sustainability, membership development and continuous improvement of operating procedures.  He is working with exhibitors and vendors on the Annual Meeting and staffing the Early Career and Membership committees, among many other responsibilities.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in HFSA.  We look forward to seeing you in Washington, DC this September for the 19th Annual HFSA Scientific Meeting!

Michele Blair, CEO