The ESC worked closely with the European Heart Network, the European commission and European Section of WHO to draft the charter, and organisations signing up to it pledge to adopt policies designed to improve cardiovascular health. “Our hopes are that the charter will make people observant, informed and active and that our children can live without fear of heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease in a heart healthy environment,” said Fox.
As its second major objective, the ESC is exploring options for becoming the certification and revalidation body for European cardiologists. “Allowing the ESC to become the absolute body for cardiologists would have many advantages,” said Fox, “and would allow us to ensure adherence to guidelines as part of the revalidation process. It would also provide quality assurance for cardiologists crossing national borders.”
For the next 12 months the ESC has two further projects.
First, Fox announced the formation of a research foundation whose aim is to facilitate cardiovascular research throughout Europe. “The idea is to promote and support research across boundaries incorporating the best from the different countries of Europe,” he said. Fox also announced that
John Camm has agreed to be director of this foundation, which will be an ESC body but legally independent.
During the Opening Ceremony Professor
Paul Hugenholtz (Netherlands), who is widely recognised as the founder of the modern ESC, was made the society’s first Honorary President.
In the European Heritage Lecture
Shlomo Stern (Bikur Holim Hospital, Jerusalem) highlighted the life and work of
Otto Klein (1891-1968) a neglected and overlooked pioneer of invasive cardiology who undertook right-heart catheterisation in 1930.
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Pictured left, more than 300 cardiology professionals have been elected Fellows of the ESC this year in recognition of their distinguished achievements. After yesterday’s Opening Ceremony, they joined President Kim Fox, FESC, and President-Elect Roberto Ferrari, FESC, in the VIP area to celebrate their formal affiliation into the Fellows family.More than 300 cardiology professionals have been elected Fellows of the ESC this year |