August 31, 2022
It is the final countdown to NACCT 2022 in San Francisco and thus my term as president. Therefore, this will be my final message. I have been your virtual AACT President, and I hope I have maintained and moved the AACT forward in the real world. COVID-19 forced AACT to awaken and adapt to the reality we all live in. I think it is important for AACT to be conscious and conscientious clinicians and scientists who are guided by science in our actions and see the value in the diversity of our professional and life experiences.
I have many people to thank, because this job cannot be done alone. First, I must thank Jessica Konrath, our Executive Director. Our partnership has grown over the last two years and a continued partnership with our executive management team will be essential to our future success.
I have leaned on AACT’s immediate past-president, Mark Kostic, and worked closely with AACT’s president-elect, Chris Hoyte. The Executive Committee of Jeanna Marraffa, Jill Theobald and Shawn Varney dedicated countless hours to AACT. So many people have been involved in the production of NACCT such as Jon Cole, Annie Arens, Rana Biary, Brandon Wills, Christine Murphy and countless others. I am grateful for your commitment to the Academy and I appreciate your dedication to our members. Our Board of Trustees is truly a special group with many talents and ideas. They attended frequent virtual mini-meetings and in-person meetings. They have served and will continue to serve on many critical committees. There are numerous people behind the scenes working to ensure our membership is educated, funded, and mentored.
You, our members, volunteer so much time participating in AACT Sections, committees, webinars and NACCT. For example, Ken McMartin has served for twelve years as the Chair of the Research Grant committee, the Scientific Liaison Committee and the Board of Trustees. Thank you for your service Ken.
Like Ken, it is YOUR fusion of efforts that allows AACT to continue to grow and reciprocate to membership and externally. You are the rate-limiting step, that has yet to show limits.
Lastly, and most importantly, I must thank my wife and family. They have involuntarily sacrificed and shared their time with me, so I could do what was necessary for AACT. I will always be grateful of their love and support.
I look forward to seeing you at NACCT. Don’t forget to come to the Membership Meeting and Fellows Ceremony to welcome your new President, Chris Hoyte in person.
Respectfully,
Kirk Cumpston, DO
President, AACT