ACC's new Cardio Safe initiative, launching this fall, will help cardiologists and cardiovascular professionals address patient- and visitor-initiated mistreatment while fostering safer, more respectful and psychologically secure clinical care environments.

Twenty-five years ago, cardiovascular leaders faced a very different landscape. Independent cardiology practices were flourishing, fee-for-service reimbursement dominated, and consolidation, digital transformation and payment reform had yet to reshape the specialty.