ABOUT US - OUR HISTORY

In 1974, seventeen dedicated medical professionals came together to organize the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. (ABC). Through their belief in the need to bring special attention to the adverse impact of cardiovascular disease on African Americans, the ABC has grown to over 600 healthcare and lay professionals. Today at our 34th anniversary, we continue to carry forward the mission and goals of the ABC "17."

1974
ABC founded by Richard Allen Williams and 16 other physicians.

1978
ABC's community health promotion programs were developed by Drs. Elijah Saunders and B. Waine Kong by organizing churches as high blood pressure control centers.

1986
Dr. Elijah Saunders hires B. Waine Kong as ABC's Chief Executive Officer.

1987
ABC holds its first Annual Scientific Session and Dr. Walter M. Booker, Sr. Symposium.

1990
Annual Cardiology Fellows program created during the ABC presidency of Dr. Augustus Grant.

1992
ABC began its regional program series through a grant from Dupont Pharma.

1994
Fellowship programs in Electrophysiology and Interventional Cardiology was created; ABC moves into its new downtown Atlanta offices.

1995
ABC convenes its inaugural Cardiovasular Summit and Congress of the Treatment of Cardiovasular Diseases in African Americans.

The ABC was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

1998
ABC adopted its theme “Children Should Know Their Grandparents so They Can Become GREAT Grandparents Themselves.”

1999
ABC convenes its inaugural Symposium on Cardiovascular Disease in Women and its New Year's Symposium and Celebration; ABC celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

2000
Under the presidential leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Ofili, MD, an endowment for two Centers of Excellence in Epidemiology and Women's Health was established by Bristol-Myers Squibb; ABC's national headquarters relocated to Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Atlanta.

2001
ABC acquires 125 acres of land in southwest Atlanta for its new International Library, Research and Conference Center.

2002
ABC's CME Department becomes third Center of Excellence and is renamed Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development.

2005
NitroMed releases BiDil, the first prescription medicine for African American Patients. The ABC was instrumental in the clinical trials.

2008
The ABC launches the Super Weekends and Spirit of the Hearts Programs.





ABC FOUNDING MEMBERS

Founder
Richard Allen Williams, MD

Boisey O. Barnes MD
Paul Terry Batties, MD
Walter M. Booker, Sr, PhD*
Kermit L. Brown, MD
Charles L. Curry, MD
Major Geer, MD
Richard F. Gillum, MD
L. Julian Haywood, MD
Hannibal E. Howell, MD
Paul M. Jackson, MD
Edith Irby Jones, MD
Alphonzo Jordan, MD
Huerta C. Neals, MD*
Levi S. Perry, MD
Daniel D. Savage, MD, PhD*
Elijah Saunders, MD
(*deceased)