As the world is dynamically changing, health care workers create solutions and adapt to new platforms for clinical care, research and education. Heart failure clinicians have embraced opportunities to enhance modalities of care such as telemedicine and virtual visits, while still continuing to serve on the front-lines providing patient care in clinics, ED, acute care, intensive care or transplant units. We continue to teach our trainees at bedside rounds donned in PPE, as well as in virtual classrooms, and reach out to colleagues and community through webinars and interviews. We continue to ask questions, analyze data and publish research, present at virtual scientific meetings and symposia and disseminate information vital for scientists, clinicians and patients.
HFSA has continued to produce valuable offerings for you during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the new HFSA Learning Center that launched in early 2020, a Journal of Cardiac Failure issue dedicated largely to COVID-19 research, podcasts for both providers and patients, a weekly eNewsletter featuring heart failure news, and the COVID-19 resource center. HFSA is committed more than ever to provide support for our heart failure community, synergize collaboration, create an enhanced platform for news, education, communication and research.
The Annual Scientific Meeting is going Virtual and BIG!
The new HFSA Annual Scientific Meeting 2020 will be held virtually on October 2-5 and will combine many of our favorite ASM elements with new and exciting features that only a virtual platform can offer. We are strategizing for this to be a very unique virtual meeting, with integrated technology solutions offering different, diverse, useful and cutting-edge content to our attendees and members.
HFSA Virtual ASM 2020 will include many of the core elements of the popular traditional in-person Annual Scientific Meeting with some exciting twists that the virtual approach allows. These innovations include new ways to deliver critical education, connect attendees, announce new research and trials, all while providing a fun and interactive experience for attendees. Registrants will be able to participate in the meeting live as well as have access to On-Demand content after the meeting. We will announce more details about HFSA Virtual ASM 2020 in the coming weeks and registration will begin in June. We are also excited about the opportunity for our international colleagues to participate in this year’s Virtual ASM.
As we finalize the details of the virtual experience, we are passionate about expanding our educational offerings, broadening our reach, enhancing our platform to showcase cutting edge science and information, facilitate networking and collaboration, and keeping you connected.
The ASM Program Committee is hard at work conceptualizing fun and innovative ways to boost learning and drive engagement and networking at the meeting. I encourage you to check the HFSA Virtual ASM 2020 website and take a moment to share your thoughts and ideas through this feedback form!
HFSA Virtual Board Certification Review 2020
Calling on all heart failure specialists who need to board certify and clinicians who would like to get a comprehensive review in advanced heart failure and cardiac transplantation!
The HFSA Virtual Board Certification Review 2020 has also moved to a virtual platform and will feature a mix of innovative formats and presentations. The day-by-day agenda and program details are now available online. The course will include an OnDemand webinar series, livestream content, Q&A sessions, enduring content, and the ability to chat with peers and faculty. This course has become critical to many physicians seeking to prepare for the ABIM Certification in October and we believe the move to virtual will allow us to broaden our reach even further.
HFSA Learning Center
The new HFSA Learning Center launched in April. The Learning Center offers a comprehensive experience for learners and will allow users to manage their professional development and access educational content tailored to their needs. The 2019 HFSA Comprehensive Heart Failure Review Course was recently added to the Learning Center, offering valuable CME and MOC credits to clinicians who were unable to attend the course live in October 2019. Visit the HFSA Learning Center to explore the catalogue.
Journal of Cardiac Failure
The Journal of Cardiac Failure June 2020 issue will feature several papers on COVID-19 research, including a statement from HFSA, Virtual Visits for Care of Patients with Heart Failure in the Era of COVID-19. These papers provide critical data on COVID-19’s effects on heart failure and how clinicians can best manage their business in these times.
Nominations, Membership and Leadership Roles
Currently, HFSA is accepting nominations for two very important nursing awards: The Nursing Research Leadership Award and the Nursing Clinical Excellence Leadership Award. We can all name an extraordinary nurse who is a member of the heart failure care team. Please take a moment to honor the work of someone you know by nominating them for an award. More information about the two awards is available here.
Please don’t forget to renew your membership and update your membership profile at our new membership portal. Our new membership system allows you to enter areas of interest along with your specifications. These new features will allow us to better match opportunities to your interests and expertise.
I encourage you to stay active with HFSA during these challenging times. Explore leadership opportunities, engage with HFSA through social media, make sure that you are closely reading HFSA emails packed with critical information to HFSA members, and above all, make sure that your membership is up to date. Reach out to HFSA staff if you want more information on any of these topics.
I wish you the best as we continue to strategize to provide the best care for our patients, drive science and innovation and provide a home for our heart failure community. Please continue to stay safe and stay strong!
Best Regards,
Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FHFSA
HFSA President
@BiykemB