Today, I am concluding a chapter in my career at the SAC. The presidency was an opportunity that I accepted with humility and responsibility, and it allowed me to try to give back some of what I received from this unique organization. Our society is moving forward, with a clear ethical commitment, to improving the cardiovascular health of the population. This final letter, as president, aims to establish an institutional record of our work and, at the same time, delineate a trajectory for those who will continue this task.
ABOUT THE SAC: MISSION AND PURPOSE
The SAC exists to promote excellence in cardiology in Argentina: to train competent professionals; to generate and adapt guidelines to the local context; and to advocates for health policies that facilitate access to quality care. Our mission is based on education, research, clinical quality, and the defense of cardiovascular health as a right for all Argentines. The vision that guides us is a health system that combines evidence, innovation, and regional solidarity to reduce the burden of heart disease.
The objective established for the present year was to adapt and professionalize our organization to ensure its sustainability and maximize the impact of its actions, avoiding personalism that could lead to mistakes that jeopardize that mission and vision, as well as its sustainability. To that end, we worked on agreements and strategic issues after several meetings with the leaders who will succeed me over the next three years. We developed a strategic plan that considered all organizational aspects within the current context.
Governance and ethics
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We have strengthened our transparency, accountability, and conflict of interest management practices with active committees and regular reports to our members.
Education and training
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We have developed the legal, organizational, and institutional foundations for the SAC University Institute, now called the SAC Continuing Education Institute and, in the future, the SAC University Institute.
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We have promoted the growth of regional and national conferences, synchronized the actions of the councils with districts nationwide, organized symposiums in different provinces and neighboring countries, and included doctors, nurses, and technicians.
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We have updated educational programs and clinical guidelines adapted to our local context and expanded continuing medical education with a practical, regional focus covering the entire spectrum of human resources in the health system.
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We have prioritized our beloved Argentine Journal of Cardiology, the foundation of our organization, for education and research, investing in consulting and trained human resources.
Research and data
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We have professionalized the research area nationwide and opened it up to generate registries that are representative of the national reality.
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We have provided counsel and promoted quality research among all SAC members.
Quality and standards
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We have promoted the implementation of evidence-based clinical practice tools, with efforts to standardize procedures and improve patient outcomes.
Collaborations and advocacy
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We have strengthened alliances with hospitals, universities, and other scientific societies, both nationally and internationally. These alliances have influenced health policies to benefit patients and communities. We developed a forum with 23 core and historical societies of Argentine medicine. This forum has become a valuable tool for assessing the healthcare system and its human resources, while also generating ideas and proposals to improve a system to which we all belong.
Representativeness and diversity
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We have incorporated a diverse range of voices from various regions, generations, and specialties within cardiology, with more open participation mechanisms.
Communication and institutional memory
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We have consolidated clear and accessible information channels and a memory of projects and lessons learned for future administrations.
Communication and technological innovation
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We have initiated processes to improve digital platforms, data collection tools, and effective communication with partners and patients in the area of global communication.
Investment in infrastructure
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We carried out an enhancement of the central building while preserving its historical value, and initiated renovations to enable the establishment of the SAC University Institute and the SAC Museum, as well as the architectural integration with the Argentine Cardiology Foundation, as previously agreed with its authorities.
Succession and legacy
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We have prepared the next generation of leaders by providing mentoring, knowledge transfer, and strategic project continuity plans. To this end, we created the SAC Members Area, which offers training and leadership workshops.
CHALLENGES AND OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE
The Argentine healthcare system is undergoing one of the most critical periods in its history, facing significant challenges:
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Heterogeneity of the country: the geographical and cultural differences and fragmentation of the healthcare system, influence the implementation of guidelines and programs.
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Sustainability: ensuring resources for long-term projects, maintaining educational quality, and sustaining research initiatives in the face of fluctuating budgets.
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Implementation of innovations: adoption of new therapies, technologies, and tools necessitates investment of time, evidence, and training.
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Scope and equity: ensuring that the benefits of modern cardiology reach regions with less access and vulnerable populations.
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Impact measurement: defining clear success indicators and periodically evaluating them to demonstrate the value of initiatives.
My aspiration is for the SAC to continue being a responsible driver of innovation while maintaining scientific integrity and staying close to patients' needs. The strategic plan is a key tool for ensuring its continuity.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my colleagues who shared this journey with me, as well as to all SAC members from across the country and from the institution's various areas, councils, and districts.
I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable work of the SAC staff, who adapted to a very demanding work dynamic and new parameters for action.
Finally, the enormous commitment and team spirit of the Board of Directors were essential to achieving our goals. All decisions were made through responsible discussion and many hours of dedicated work.
I invite each member to continue participating with enthusiasm, rigor, and empathy. The SAC thrives on collective commitment: let us continue to promote quality research, continuing education, and the defense of cardiovascular health as a universal right.
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