Dear Colleagues, As we give thanks this Holiday season for the people, opportunities, and possessions in our lives, please join me in thanking our colleagues across the state for the contributions they made to the IL-ACC and the cardiovascular profession in Illinois.  Thank you and have a happy Thanksgiving holiday. 2009 CCA Symposium a Huge Success   The 2nd Annual Illinois ACC Chapter CCA Symposium was held in October at the Lindner Conference Center in Downers Grove and has proved to be a continued success. Sixty Registered Nurses, Advanced Practice Nurses, Physician Assistants, and Physicians gathered to hear local known experts present on various cardiovascular topics. A big thank-you to the speakers for volunteering their time, expertise, and first-rate presentations: Dr. Maria Rosa Costanzo, Dr. Diane Wallis, Dr. Sarah Johnson, Dr. Edwin McGee, Dr. Liviu Klein, and Dr. Parag Patel. The CCA Symposium was a primary action item of the Illinois ACC Chapter, and this year’s program was no exception. Shared goals and enthusiasm by the Chapter in promoting educational opportunities for CCA members helped ensure the event's success. I would also like to thank Julie Kozlowski, APRN; Nancy Schawabauer, APRN; Lynn Steckel, APRN; Dr. Darryl Gumm; and Dr. Vera Rigolin for bringing their ideas and enthusiasm as part of the Symposium Planning Committee—Bravo! Julie Benson, MSN, APRN Cardiac Care Representative, Illinois ACC Chapter CCA Symposium Program Director ACC Launches PINNACLE Network to help Cardiology Practices Back to Top As part of the American College of Cardiology's commitment to helping practices not only survive, but also thrive, in today's challenging health care environment, the College has launched the new PINNACLE Network™. This first-ever, registry-based cardiovascular network is designed to provide practices with the tools they need to promote practice innovations and achieve clinical excellence. The PINNACLE Network™ immediately addresses the rapidly shifting business environment that private cardiovascular practices face with a wealth of management and financial management tools.  It also builds a foundation for innovative, registry-based systems to reward practices for the high quality care that they provide.  Specifically, the PINNACLE Network builds on the College's commitment, experience and leadership in cardiovascular care and forms a one-stop shop for: Practice management tools Workflow and workforce solutions Educational and advocacy resources Health IT tools Risk management strategies for lowering medical liability costs The PINNACLE Registry – formerly the IC3 Program For more information and registration, please visit www.pinnaclenetwork.org. Please feel free to forward this to your colleagues and partners. Contact pinnacle@acc.org with any questions. Renew Your ACC Membership for 2010 Today Back to Top If you have not paid your 2010 ACC dues, The IL-ACC Board of Councilors encourages you to renew today to maintain your valuable ACC and IL-ACC Chapter benefits.  These benefits include: Member rates for ACC's upcoming Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as other vital ACC and IL-ACC educational programs Access and discounts to ACC products are all dependent upon a current membership status Uninterrupted receipt of JACC Access to Cardiosource Local and regional chapter activities that are designed to benefit you directly Important national and statewide advocacy alerts that enable you to act quickly in order to protect the cardiovascular profession This is a critical time for cardiology in the changing healthcare environment and your identification with the ACC and IL-ACC has never been more important.  The ACC is your professional advocate and works hard to represent your needs with lawmakers. The specialized information and resources about advocacy, education, and recent scientific advances are available through ACC and the Chapter. The ACC and the Illinois ACC Chapter’s efforts all rest on your annual dues payment. To pay your 2010 ACC dues, please go to www.acc.org/dues for the secure online dues payment page. To pay your dues over the phone please contact the ACC Resource Center toll-free at (800) 253-4636, ext. 5603 or directly at (202) 375-6000. To contact the Resource Center via email, please send a message to resource@acc.org.   ACC’s CMS 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Summary Back to Top The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule includes policies that significantly reduce payments for cardiovascular-related services. Substantial changes in coding will occur in 2010 for myocardial perfusion/SPECT imaging, coronary computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Click here for a high-level summary of the policy proposals included in the rule. The College is working to help you understand all of your options. Online tools are available to assist in preparing for the cuts, including a practice impact calculator and frequently-asked questions about changes to consultation codes. Additional resources on the rule: Cardiovascular Business magazine View two CVN videos about fighting for patient access Learn more about practice alignment and integration models with Evolving Models of CV Practice Online. Content will be available by Nov. 30. Order now at (800) 253-4636, ext. 5603 More information on this issue and other healthcare-related issues will be coming as the national debate moves forward. Your assistance and action will be required to continue to put pressure on lawmakers to do the right thing and protect the cardiovascular profession, your patients, and your practice. Mark Your Calendars Today for Illinois ACC Chapter’s 2010 Events! Back to Top 2010 Practice Management Symposium Optimizing Patient Care in a Changing Health Care Environment May 14, 2010 University Club of Chicago 76 E Monroe St Chicago, IL 60603 Mark your calendars now to join cardiovascular professionals from across Illinois at the IL-ACC Practice Managment Symposium on May 14, 2010. IL-ACC Chapter’s Annual Scientific Reception March 10, 2010 Intercontinental Hotel Chicago 505 North Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL, 60611 This annual tradition is for all members of the Illinois ACC Chapter. This year will again feature a poster competition comprised of presentations by local Fellows-In-Training. The winner of the competition will be awarded the 2010 Illinois Chapter of the American College of Cardiology Poster of the Year Award. We hope to see you there for an evening of education, networking, and enjoyment with your colleagues. The IL-ACC Chapter looks forward to seeing you at both events in 2010 Best regards, Jerome Hines, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C. Governor, Illinois Chapter of the ACC