Dr. C. Michael Valentine New American College of Cardiology President

Valentine is a senior cardiologist at the Stroobants Cardiovascular Center of Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he specialized in cardiac catheterization and intervention, device placement and arrhythmia therapy, clinical quality, leadership and practice development. He first became involved with the ACC in 1993 and has worked his way up through the leadership ranks, including previously serving on the Advocacy Committee, as Virginia Chapter governor, as Board of Governors chair, treasurer and on the Board of Trustees.

During his year as president, Valentine said he will attempt to achieve several critical goals of the College, including guiding the Board of Trustees in delivering and executing the College's next five-year Strategic Plan, leading the Board in successfully completing the 2018 Strategic Priorities and working with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Selection Committee in choosing the next great staff leader for the College. Valentine is also passionate about advancing member and staff leadership development, partnerships with sister society members and ACC's International teams around the globe.

"The ACC has an immensely talented Board and the most dedicated staff of any medical association in the country, now led by Interim CEO Cathy Gates," he said. "We have developed new Core Values together that will help us focus on driving strategy and innovation to meet some major challenges and achieve our new Vision."

Valentine said he is very excited for the opportunities that come with the College's new diversity initiative in shaping how the College will look in the very near future.

Valentine received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Valentine completed his medical residency and fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Emory University in Atlanta. After fellowship, Valentine joined private practice in Virginia in 1990. The group ultimately developed into an advanced system, participating in over 90 clinical trials and leading quality and advocacy efforts in the Commonwealth. It became one of the early integrated practice models in the U.S., joining Centra Health in 2005.

"Being ACC President is a tremendous honor and privilege, not only for me, but for our group practice and health system at Centra," he said. "This recognizes the importance and responsibility of community systems to lead with the highest quality care and clinical research. It also encourages grassroots members who work at the local chapter level to further advance the Mission of the College."

Dr. Valentine is married to the Honorable Shannon Valentine, Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia and former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, with whom he has three adult children: Catherine, Jack and Brooke.  

Other ACC officers for 2018-2019 are Board of Governors' Chair Andrew P. Miller, MD, FACC; Vice President Richard J. Kovacs, MD, FACC; and Treasurer Howard T. Walpole Jr., MD, MBA, FACC.

The American College of Cardiology is the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team. The mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College operates national registries to measure and improve care, offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions, provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet stringent qualifications. For more, visit acc.org.

SOURCE American College of Cardiology