The activity generated by the Areas and Councils of our SAC is wonderful. I would like to mention only some of them, since it would be impossible (and I apologize) to mention in this letter the enormous work done by all our members.

After the success of the Imaging Congress, the First Argentine Congress on Prevention, Cardiometabolism and Hypertension was held during the first week of June, with more than 800 participants and an excellent scientific program. During the North Suburban Area, Bahía Blanca and San Luis Conferences, we signed an academic and scientific collaboration agreement with the National University of Villa Mercedes and Ramón Carrillo Hospital of San Luis. Six residents of our biennial course, selected by the best average grades, belonging to different provinces of our country, are currently engaged in rotations at medical centers in Buenos Aires. Additionally, in September, a young cardiologist will undertake a two-week rotation at Mount Sinai Hospital. Another will participate in an agreement between the Argentine Chapter of the ACC and the New York Chapter, which we share with the ACC. All of this is made possible by funding from the SAC.

We have launched a new logo and branding manual that has refreshed our image across all media, increasing our visibility. Our new website is more dynamic and user-friendly, offering a more comprehensive virtual experience of our SAC, thanks to the efforts of the Instructional Resources Area (ARI) over several months.

In addition, we have launched our SAC Educational Institute, which will plan and synchronize all our educational activities, with the aim of providing and ensuring quality education to our members, colleagues and all health professionals. Webinars, courses, face-to-face and virtual conferences complement all scientific activities.

The Consensus Statement on Cardiogenic Shock, the Latin-Shock registry, the first Latin American registry on cardiogenic shock in acute myocardial infarction with the participation of several Latin American countries, and two position papers on Hypertensive Emergencies in the Elderly and Stress Management were published. Our younger cardiologists will be participating in the Young Corner of the European Congress, where they will have the opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge with colleagues from around the world.

Our Argentine Journal of Cardiology is 90 years old. We are working hard to become an indexed journal next year (and we are very confident that we will achieve this goal).

Our 50_th Argentine Congress of Cardiology is fast approaching. This event that will unite us all and has a history that will serve as an inspiration for continuous improvement. his is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of those who have played a leading role in the writing of our history and of profound respect for those who preceded us and built our current SAC. The presidents of our sister societies in Latin America, the European Society of Cardiology, the ACC and the AHA will share this moment with us. Furthermore, we are honored to announce that Dr. Valentín Fuster will be delivering the opening lecture.

We are very excited about all of this… but we also have some concerns…

We are concerned about a health care system that is underfunded, fragmented and unequal.

We are concerned about the arbitrary cuts to university funding, given that 80% of our cardiologists are trained in public universities.

We are concerned because 80% of our residents and 60% of our cardiologists, with an average of 7 years of specialization after the residency program, are considering emigration. Similarly, 40% of specialists are considering leaving medicine because of the state of the health care system.

We are concerned that 52% of cardiologists have insecure employment and 82% are dissatisfied with their remuneration in relation to their workload.

We are concerned that 76% of cardiologists have observed a decrease in the frequency of their patients attending outpatient clinics for monitoring visits.

We are concerned that 75% of cardiologists and physicians in other specialties are experiencing burnout, whether professional or job-related.

We patients and physicians are in bad shape.

Fifty-six scientific societies and all of cardiology united (societies, associations, and colleges are seeking to be included in discussions regarding the reorganization of the healthcare system and the negotiation of reimbursement for our work. It is a difficult task when there are interlocutors who hear but are not listening, or who only defend their sectorial interests. However, we are committed to pursuing this objective and will continue to do so. We will have a prime-time slot at our Congress to address these issues, and we invite you to participate and commit to changing this reality.

Finally, I encourage you to continue to nurture our spirit in the face of adversity. Resilience is the antidote to depression, and the only way to change is to want to change, for which we must all unite for the common good. All the work you do from SAC is an example of that. Thank you all.