To Members of the Heart Failure Society of America:

Our Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) at the Gaylord National Harbor in Washington D.C, beginning Friday, September 30, through Monday, October 3, is rapidly approaching. As my term as HFSA President concludes following that meeting, I would like to share with you a few reflections from this past year. 
 
Much of my focus, and that of the Board of Directors, has been on you, our members, and how to ensure that HFSA membership provides you value. As described in my President’s Message in Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF) last month, we feel it is critical that HFSA membership affords you opportunities that help advance and bring more fulfillment to your career.

While the offerings to achieve those goals are too many to recount in full here, I would highlight several notable examples including our committees and task forces that allow you to hone leadership skills; the Heart Failure Research Network to enhance investigative skills; and educational opportunities, including the JCF platform, AHFTC Board Certification Review course, and the Optimal Medical Therapy in Heart Failure (OMT-HF) Certificate Program.

Perhaps the highest value component of membership, however, is that you are welcomed into a large, collegial, multidisciplinary community of like-minded professionals. I’m confident that the warmth and vibrancy of our community will be experienced by all those attending the ASM. 

Another focus this past year has been on the concerning trend that fewer people are applying to Advanced Heart Failure/Transplant Cardiology (AHFTC) fellowships with each match cycle. This was the topic of my July JCF President’s Message entitled “The Next Generation.” Incoming board-certified fellows are an important part of the future of our specialty and recruiting the best and brightest will contribute to the development of a cadre of future heart failure leaders. Undoubtedly, the root cause of this trend is multifaceted. The HFSA is committed to understanding such factors and working to change them. We will convene a Task Force to tackle this topic head on and provide leadership in this space, just as we did in helping organize fellowship programs with the matching process in conjunction with the National Resident Matching Program.

Along these lines, this year I had the privilege of hosting two focus groups of young professionals, including cardiology and advanced heart failure fellows, over Zoom, to glean their insights about this trend in AHFTC applicants. One theme I took away from these discussions was that, for many trainees, an early exposure to our field, whether that be rounding on an advanced HF service or working on a research project focused on heart failure or a related topic, was pivotal in their decision to pursue AHFTC training.

The experiences described above are a reminder to all of us who are more advanced in our careers about the impact we can have on our trainees. As such, one easy opportunity that remains today is to “take your trainee to ASM,” even if virtually, to allow them to experience the beauty of our discipline. I know that the residents and fellows at my home institution have been very excited by that opportunity, and I’m confident yours will be as well.

The experiences described above are a reminder to all of us who are more advanced in our careers about the impact we can have on our trainees. As such, one easy opportunity that remains today is to “take your trainee to ASM,” even if virtually, to allow them to experience the beauty of our discipline. I know that the residents and fellows at my home institution have been very excited by that opportunity and I’m confident yours will be as well. 

Speaking of ASM, I would like to thank Drs. David Lanfear (Chair), Rob DiDomenico, Daniel Garry, Cheryl Westlake (Co-Chairs), the rest of the members of the ASM Program Committee, and HFSA staff for the countless hours they have spent preparing the array of educational and social opportunities that will make this ASM a must-attend event. The robust numbers of participants already registered affirms the buzz that has been created as our community looks forward to again convening in person. For those of you who fall into the “Next Generation” category, be sure to stop by the Professionals-in-Training Lounge (affectionally known as “The PIT”) for great content tailored to those who are early in their careers.  

Now, at the end of my tenure, I can’t help but turn my attention towards speculating about the future of the HFSA. As recounted in my final JCF Message “An Echo from the Past and a Look Towards the Future,” it was striking to me that the four main goals outlined by prior HFSA leadership in a 2012 Strategic Plan (i.e., membership, education, communications, and advocacy) remained central to the discussions the Board and I had this year. While predictions are always fraught with uncertainty, I am very confident that the HFSA of the future will continue to be an organization in which multidisciplinary professionals work together in a collegial and collaborative manner to significantly reduce the burden of heart failure.

Serving as President of the HFSA has been a true privilege. I look forward to seeing you in DC!

Mark H. Drazner, MD, MSc, FHFSA
HFSA President 2021-2022