CLCD Message from the Chair

Laxmi Mehta, MD, FAHA

The Council on Clinical Cardiology (CLCD) brings together a community of cardiovascular professionals who are passionate about advancing clinical excellence, scientific discovery, professional development, advocacy, and lifelong learning. Given the broad scope of CLCD, professionals across various cardiovascular specialties may find numerous areas of interest. The CLCD Council offers you opportunities to influence science, enhance care, and build meaningful connections both within the council and your local communities.

It is an honor and privilege to serve as Chair of CLCD. I bring twenty years of experience in cardiology, with a focus on preventive care and women's cardiovascular health, while also advancing the field of clinician wellbeing. My involvement with AHA began in high school with the Heart Walk following my father's heart attack and continued during my fellowship with the early days of the Go Red Movement. These experiences led me to formally join the AHA as a Professional Member and volunteer.

Cardiology today spans a wide range of clinical specialties and research interests—and CLCD reflects that richness. Our strength lies in our members: clinicians, researchers, educators, administrators, early-career professionals, and fellows in training all working together to improve outcomes for patients and advance science across the field of cardiovascular medicine. We have an incredible array of committees focused on clinical areas like heart failure, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, cardio-oncology, acute cardiac care, sports cardiology, pharmacology, among others. In addition, our women in cardiology, early-career and fellows-in-training committees provide support for professional development.

Our collective impact shows in the guidelines, scientific statements, scientific sessions and outreach efforts we spearhead. We also continue to build meaningful programs like our outreach to high school students and our support of young investigators through recognition and mentoring. As Chair, I’m particularly focused on increasing meaningful opportunities for collaboration, connection, and leadership. Whether you are interested in contributing to clinical practice guidelines, writing a scientific statement, mentoring future leaders, or shaping educational content for national meetings, CLCD provides the opportunities and partnerships to make it possible.

Thank you for the incredible work you do every day, and for being part of this vibrant community of trainees, clinicians, educators, and researchers. I look forward to what we will accomplish—together in the coming years.

Laxmi Mehta, MD, FAHA
Chair, Council on Clinical Cardiology (CLCD)