–The two US blood pressure societies want to become ‘a single force multiplier in the fight against hypertension’
The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) are officially exploring a merger. In a message sent to ASH members, ASH president John Bisognano (University of Rochester) said that “for the past several months” the two groups have ” been actively exploring opportunities to consolidate complementary strengths and combine material assets to become a single force multiplier in the fight against hypertension.”
The two groups “have reached an understanding and signed a joint agreement to formally explore this consolidation” and are now performing due diligence. “Upon its completion an agreement will be finalized that would result in the American Society of Hypertension merging into the American Heart Association, Inc. — pending action by the AHA Board of Directors and by the ASH Board of Directors on behalf of the ASH Members.”
Under the proposed terms ASH members “will consolidate within the AHA membership and relevant ASH programming will continue within AHA operations.” The two groups are already preparing for a joint hypertension scientific meeting in 2017. “This meeting will bring the strengths of both organizations together under one roof, and I anticipate will be the first truly comprehensive meeting of this sort with a unique richness in both clinical and the basic sciences,” wrote Bisognano.
I have asked for commentary and perspective from the AHA and leading hypertension experts. This story will be updated as necessary.
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