ACC Georgia Chapter

Gayle Davies

YPI College Education Director Receives Emory Top Award

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During his time in the School of Medicine, Alan Amedi prioritized service and leadership while maintaining a demanding academic load and engaging in research and scholarship. Now, he’s been named the graduate student recipient of the Marion Luther Brittain Award, considered the highest honor presented to an Emory University student.

“I’m so grateful for everyone who has taken a chance on me. I want to pay it forward and give others the opportunities that I was given,” says Amedi. “I love seeing other students succeed and reach their goals.”

As a first-generation, low-income student, Amedi feared medical school was a distant dream, despite inspiration from his uncle who served as a medic during war, attending to and saving the lives of Kurds amid persecution and violence. Through mentorship from Heval Kelli, a physician and refugee himself (as well as a former Emory resident and cardiology fellow), Amedi saw there was a realistic, if difficult, path to medical school. After graduating from Georgia State University, Amedi worked for two years to support his family and fund his application process to medical school.

This fall, Amedi will head west to begin his residency in general surgery at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, California.

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State AED Update:
 Georgia’s Win from Start to Finish

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The ACC Georgia Chapter spearheaded legislation to establish sudden cardiac emergency response plans and require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all public schools, K-12. Read below GA ACC’s success in expanding the state’s AED laws to include all Georgia students beyond those in high school.

Quote from Dr. Kim:
“I truly think this will represent model legislation for the rest of the country,” said Dr. Jonathan Kim. “Not many states have these laws in place, and this is really something we can all be proud of.”

On Tuesday, April 23, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 874, which mandates automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all public schools. 

READ: ACC HeartPAC Update
Spotlight on AED Access Legislation

Look Out For RUC Surveys on PCI, LAA Services

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In the coming weeks, you may be randomly selected to complete a survey for the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). Survey participants will be asked to estimate the typical time, intensity and complexity of their work and the Relative Value Unit (RVU) for the procedure in comparison to a list of reference services with established RVUs. Feedback from these surveys are used to create AMA recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This cycle, the PCI family of codes is being surveyed, following the recent addition of intravascular lithotripsy, as well as the existing code for percutaneous transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA). Learn more about the RUC process here and contact Matthew Minnella (mminnella@acc.org.com) with any questions.

Matt Minnella
Pronouns: he, him, his
Associate Director
Medicare Payment Policy
American College of Cardiology
202-375-6232 (o)
www.acc.org

YPI Changes Lives

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by Abdallah Al-Obaidi

When I was 6, my family fled Iraq, seeking refuge in Jordan. For eight long years, we lived there as non-citizens, devoid of health insurance and struggling with financial hardships. In 2013, our journey led us to the United States, where I yearned for an opportunity to carve out a better future for myself while extending a helping hand to others.

My tenure at Emory University saw me evolve to become a medical interpreter and an EMT. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of language barriers and the importance of understanding medical treatment, I felt compelled to delve deeper into the field of medicine. However, as a first-generation American and the first aspiring doctor in my family, I faced a daunting path with no clear starting point. Undeterred, I reached out to local doctors in the Atlanta community, seeking guidance and mentorship. Despite sending out numerous emails, I received no response—until Dr. Kelli, graciously, broke the silence and introduced me to Young Physician Initiative (YPI).

My involvement with YPI was transformative. Through hands-on experiences, I gained invaluable insights and skills. From designing “The Road to Medicine” flyer to assisting in organizing a doctor-for-a-day conference in Georgia, I found myself immersed in a wealth of knowledge and connected to a network of physicians, all thanks to YPI.

Today, as I embark on my fourth year of medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine, I’ve initiated the YPI program here, now in its third year. Together, we’re planning the second doctor-for-a-day conference in Boston, aiming to empower students from underserved backgrounds, much like myself, who lack familial ties to the medical profession.

Through YPI, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact mentorship and community support can have on aspiring healthcare professionals. As I continue on my journey, I remain committed to paying forward the guidance and opportunities that have shaped my path.

Congratulations to GA Chapter members that have been appointed to ACC Committees.

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Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology Committee
Joshua Rosenblum, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr

Cardiac Surgery Committee
Michael Halkos, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr.
Allison Ward, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr.

Cardiovascular Committee
Puja Mehta, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr.
Amy Simone, PA-C, Chair Elect: 1 yr.
Kyle Fortman, MBA, PA-C, Member: 3 yr.

Critical Care Section Committee
Steven Hollenberg, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr

Education Standards Committee
Priya Kohli, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr

Health Affairs Committee
J. Jeffrey Marshall, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr

Lifelong Learning Committee
Patricia Keegan, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr

Membership Committee
Anekwe Onwuanyi, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr

NCDR Clinical Committee
Vinod Thourani, MD, FACC, Member: 3 yr

NCDR EP Registry Committee
Faisal Merchant, MD, FACC, Chair Elect: 1 yr

Women in Cardiology Committee
Gina Lundberg, MD, FACC, Chair: 1 yr

AED’s Legislation Passes Appropriations Committee: On to the Rules Committee

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At the House Health Appropriations Committee hearing, H.B. 874 passed the committee unanimously. Dr. Jonathan Kim did an excellent job representing the GA ACC as Chairperson of our Sudden Cardiac Arrest Committee which places AED’s in all Georgia Schools (K-12, see video below). Thank you to House Health Committee Chairman, Rep. Lee Hawkins, for his support. The bill now moves to the House rules committee.

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