As we celebrate Cardiovascular Professionals Week 2020, we are ecstatic to recognize a number of outstanding professionals as Fellows of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals. These individuals have a demonstrated commitment to staying at the cutting edge of quality care in their specialties, and we know them to go above and beyond the call of duty to impact quality care at their organizations.

Fellowship in the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals is a recognition of professionalism and leadership in cardiovascular service delivery for non-physician professionals, cardiovascular service line directors and administrators. In addition, ACVP Fellows form a community which facilitates communication and advancement in best practices across organizational and regional boundaries.

Thoughts on Fellowship from our Fellows

"Earning fellowship status as a member of ACVP is special to me not only personally but professionally as well," says Fellow Eric Kallstrom, MBA, ACS, RDCS, RCS, FASE, FACVP. "As a leader in noninvasive cardiovascular imaging, obtaining the premiere status of Fellow allows me to further guide my staff with the trusted leadership that they need and be the person that they can go to regarding education, quality, and best noninvasive diagnostic practices."

"ACVP Fellowship is the ultimate recognition of professional achievement for cardiovascular technologists, registered nurses and radiologic technologists working in [cardiology]," says Fellow Christopher Steelman MS, RT(R)(CI), RCIS, FACVP. "This is a special honor for me as I have long admired many of the professionals with whom I will now share the distinction."

ACVP fellowship status also requires continuing involvement in furthering the field of cardiovascular services—by leading educational sessions for other professionals, for example, or advancing quality initiatives and research in quality care. It is crucially important in the rapidly changing field of healthcare—especially true in cardiovascular services—for leaders in the field to promote and foster excellence through fellowship and mentorship.

"The future for professionals in cardiovascular services is bright and constantly evolving," says Fellow Benjamin Ochoa, RCIS, RCS, BS, FACVP. "Those currently active in the profession can attest that the habits and skills required to succeed in this field breed excellence."

Our Inaugural FACVP Fellowship Class

ACVP's Fellowship Committee

Our outstanding inaugural class of Fellows of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals was reviewed and selected by a committee of leaders in ACVP and cardiovascular care at large. They, too, receive the honorary FACVP distinction and are an integral part of this community of leaders in cardiovascular care.

• Georgann Bruski, Senior Vice President of Cardiology, Imaging at Steward Healthcare
• Jon Gardner, Senior Director, Cardiovascular Medicine, St. Elizabeth Medical Center
• Linda Paxton, Director of Cardiovascular Services at Bon Secours Richmond
• Joel Sandler, Program Director at DrFirst

These seventeen individuals are an invaluable resource to all members of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals. All members can access their personal and professional experience and expertise through ACVP's Mentor Match program, our CONNETWORK program, and, of course, the Fellowship program.

If you're not already a member, please consider supporting the cardiovascular profession and joining the Alliance. ACVP's leadership and staff are here to support you, personally, and to further the success and excellence of all cardiovascular professionals.