Heart Rhythm Society Core Ideology & Envisioned Future

Core ideology describes the Society’s consistent identity that transcends all changes related to its relevant environment. It consists of two elements — core purpose — the Society’s reason for being — and core values — essential and enduring principles that guide the organization. Envisioned future conveys a concrete yet unrealized vision for the Society. It consists of a big audacious goal — a clear and compelling catalyst that serves as a focal point for effort — and a vivid description — vibrant and engaging descriptions of what it will be like to achieve the big audacious goal.

Core Ideology

Core Purpose: To improve the health of patients with heart rhythm disorders.

Core Organizational Values:

• Visionary leadership
• Patient-centered
• Member-responsive
• Integrity
• Research, discovery and innovation
• Education
• Excellence

Envisioned Future

Big Audacious Goal: End death and suffering due to heart rhythm disorders.

Vivid Description of the Desired Future:
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) is the universally recognized leader for heart rhythm disorders and is leading a coalition of clinicians, scientists, industry and government. Patients with heart rhythm disorders, as well as the healthcare professionals who treat them, recognize and use the Society as the primary source for current information and connection with others. The Society’s members and non-members benefit significantly from the advocacy, education and research focus of the organization. The HRS strives to constantly anticipate and respond to the evolving dynamics of the needs of the profession. Other organizations recognize the leadership and valuable contributions of the Society and seek to collaborate. The Society is well supported with diversified funding sources to achieve its constantly evolving needs. Members are deeply committed to the Society, passionately supporting its mission through financial contributions, volunteerism and leadership. As a result of the Society’s efforts, there is increased patient screening and access to treatment for heart rhythm disorders and its members are recognized for their experience and expertise in patient care and the number of deaths and amount of suffering due to heart rhythm disorders has diminished.

Society Goals and Objectives

Goal Area: Education

The Society’s educational opportunities targeting healthcare professionals will improve the health of patients with or at risk of heart rhythm disorders.

Objectives:

• Expand and enhance the value of educational programs for the core members: clinicians, allied professionals, trainees, and scientists.
• Expand educational programs to include other groups:  e.g. primary care physicians and cardiologists.
• Increase the Society’s web-based educational curricula.
• Increase collaborative educational programs targeting international communities.
• Expand CME programs consistent with the highest professional standards, with emphasis on quality, measuring competency and outcomes measures.
• Elevate career development programs for non-physician care-providers, EP trainees and early career physicians.
• Ensure appropriate training of clinical trainees to meet the health care needs of the next decade.

Goal Area: Patients and Caregivers

The Society is the recognized leading source of information for patients and their caregivers for heart rhythm disorders.

Objectives:

• Increase and improve public awareness of heart rhythm disorders and treatments.
• Improve access to the Society’s information for patients and caregivers.
• Increase patient access/awareness to qualified experts who treat heart rhythm disorders.
• Increase the utilization and value of the Society’s educational offerings by patients and caregivers.

Goal Area: Health Policy

The Society will ensure patient access to high quality heart rhythm care and advocate for a productive and sustainable work environment for heart rhythm professionals.

Objectives:

• Define quality and set standards for our profession for the delivery of heart rhythm care.
• Ensure an adequate workforce for the treatment of heart rhythm disorders.
• Advocate appropriate reimbursement for heart rhythm disorders.

Goal Area: Research

The Society will be the preeminent organization for promoting research to end death and suffering from heart rhythm disorders.

Objectives:

• Enhance the society’s strategic research agenda. 
• Increase funding to support the society’s research agenda.
• Increase the leadership, presence and visibility of heart rhythm researchers within the Society.
• Increase support for rigorous outcome studies evaluating benefits of emerging technologies and clinical practices.

Goal Area: Fiscal Management

The Society has a fiscally responsible economic model that advances its strategic plan.

Objectives:

• Diversify funding sources and maintain (increase) current funding level.
• Generate new opportunities for the Foundation.
• Enhance the profitability of revenue generating programs.
• Increase reserves.