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Joint venture will fund research, education to eliminate health disparities, transform cardiovascular care

WASHINGTON (Oct. 14, 2020) — The American College of Cardiology and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation are partnering to create the Martin B. Leon Center for Cardiovascular Transformation, a visionary endeavor designed to foster the best ideas, encourage innovative research, and ultimately deliver transformative solutions to some of the biggest cardiovascular care challenges.

The Leon Center is inspired by Martin Leon, MD, FACC, and his legacy of innovation in cardiovascular care. Leon is a distinguished pioneer in interventional cardiology and the founder and director of Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), a leading scientific symposium dedicated to interventional cardiovascular medicine.

“Designed to foster the best ideas, encourage innovative research, and ultimately deliver transformative and global solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing our profession and our patients – the Leon Center will be as transformational as the man for which it is named,” said CRF President and CEO Juan F. Granada, MD. “CRF is excited to work with the ACC on this visionary endeavor that will build on the legacy already created by Dr. Martin Leon. The future of our profession and of our patients will be brighter because of this work together.”

Through the Leon Center’s four pillars, ACC and CRF will offer new advanced fellowships and clinical research grants focused on enhancing the pace of research in order to eradicate health disparities and transform cardiovascular care. The four pillars are:

• Addressing the impact of the pandemic on cardiovascular research and care.
• Programs to impact workforce diversity and team-based care.
• Workshops and forums to promote innovations in cardiovascular care.
• Patient advocacy and patient-centered education and research programs with a focus on underserved populations.

“To improve cardiovascular care and outcomes, we need visionary thinking and bold action. Through our joint work to create the Martin B. Leon Center for Cardiovascular Transformation, the ACC and CRF promise to deliver on that vision.” said ACC President Athena Poppas, MD, FACC. “The biggest challenges require collaborative solutions, and through the Leon Center we are fostering diversity, innovative research and leadership as a springboard to a healthier future.”

For more information on the Leon Center, visit www.leoncenter.org.

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations specializing in interventional cardiology innovation, research, and education. CRF is dedicated to helping doctors improve survival and quality of life for people suffering from heart and vascular disease. For nearly 30 years, CRF has helped pioneer medical advances and educated doctors on the latest treatments for heart disease. CRF is comprised of the CRF Skirball Center for Innovation, CRF Clinical Trials Center, CRF Center for Education, CRF Digital, TCTMD, and Structural Heart: The Journal of the Heart Team. For more information visit. www.crf.org.

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