It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to read this issue of the Journal of the Saudi Heart Association. In the last message, I have talked about the successful SHA21, which was held last 8–11 February 2010 at the King Faisal Hall, Intercontinental Hotel. Since then two momentous events that the Saudi Heart Association had hosted along with the American College of Cardiology has occurred.
First, is the ACC/SHA Cardiology Symposium that was held on 14–15 April 2010 at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Jeddah. This two day event consisted of 8 sessions that had topics about General Cardiology, Cardiac Imaging, Cardiac Ischemia, Aortic Valve Disease, Mitral Valve and Heart Failure. The highlight of this symposium was the session regarding the Late Breaking Clinical Trials from Atlanta: ACC 2010. This is the first ACC/SHA symposium and marks the first of a series that we intend to do with the ACC.
Secondly, we have conducted the first Coronary computerized tomography Course (CTA ACC Level II Certification) last 26–30 May 2010 at our very own SHA Headquarters. We have invited distinguished experts representing the American College of Cardiology: Dr. Moaz Al Mallah, Dr. M. Desai and Dr. Allen Taylor. The total number of participants for this course was 32 candidates who where certified. This is the first time that this course was offered, not only outside United States, but it is the first outside the Heart House of the ACC. This will also be a first of a series where in CT, MR, Echocardiography courses and certifications will be offered in collaborations with international certifying bodies.
Both events have received positive feedbacks from the participants, invited guests and even from our own team members.
This entire year has been a transitional year for the Saudi Heart Association. We have been more upfront with pursuing our goals and visions with regards to collaborating with major international heart associations. We have 10 joint sessions of the Saudi Heart Association with international association meeting all over the world, thereby promoting SHA internationally.
The successes and achievements that we have attained in the first 6 months of 2010 are the result of the dedication, skill and passion of the leadership that our team has been practicing. When I speak of team leadership, I mean more than just those whose names you may see regularly. Our leadership is made up of over 50 people – members of the Board of Directors, working groups’ heads and members, liaisons to external organizations and administrative staff. We come from different backgrounds and yet we work harmoniously to keep this association running. I assure you that an immense number of hours are spent by our team, each year, to advance our profession – thus leading to organizing more collaboration with international heart associations. Despite the barriers, we continually make things happen, no matter what we will face.
I hope you gain more knowledge about the cardiovascular field upon reading the submitted articles by our members. Allow me to thank all of you who are actively participating and supporting the Journal of the Saudi Heart Association.