Overview

Your Career Journey Starts Here

In the early stages of your CT surgery career, one of the most important things you can do is partner with an organization that will help you broaden your skills, connect with peers and mentors, and take care of your health and wellbeing. These are the fundamentals of career development that will help you  

  • land the job you want,
  • deliver the highest quality of patient care,
  • develop leadership skills and increase your visibility within your practice setting among your peers,
  • make smart, strategic career decisions, and
  • connect and network with other surgeons.  

STS has what it takes to be that partner. Here you’ll find extensive professional development programs offering a wide variety of learning opportunities - from finding your first job and receiving fellowship awards to leading in the OR and becoming a voice on Capitol Hill where together we advocate for quality improvement and patient safety.  

STS’s resources and activities are developed and designed by surgeons for surgeons. At STS, you can find the support you need to thrive starting today and continuing through your CT surgery career. 

Join STS as a Surgeon Member for career-enhancing resources, complimentary subscriptions to The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and other publications, advocacy efforts, discounts on the STS Annual Meeting, and more. If you're not already a member, apply today.

Education

STS offers a variety of high-quality, timely, and relevant opportunities for in-person and online learning. These include conferences, webinars, e-learning modules, and online courses. Some of these opportunities are available for free; others require purchase. STS members receive discounts on programs offered for purchase.  

Early Career Journey Webinar Series

The quarterly STS Early Career Journey Webinar Series provides fundamental information for successful career development in an out of the operating room. Surgeons from academic, private practice and hospital settings share practical information and personal insights on a broad range of topics from how to negotiate a contract and manage one’s finances to coping with second victim syndrome and supporting one’s OR team. These learning opportunities will help early careerists land the job they want, deliver the highest quality patient care, develop leadership skills, make smart strategic career decision, and connect and network with other surgeons. 

Early Career Journey: Pathway to STS Involvement and Leadership (June 6, 2024)
Free for STS members, $30 for nonmembers

View recordings of these past events:

Blogs and Publications

The Career Development Blog features posts written by early career STS members on topics relating to the specific career needs of surgeons in the first years of practice. Read selections from the blog and other STS publications for latest news, events, networking, and education opportunities for early careerists.

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changing jobs
Cardiothoracic surgeons often are faced with desirable opportunities to change institutions. Melanie Edwards, MD, a member of the STS Career Development Communications Task Force explains, it's important to take your time weighing the pros and cons. The worst thing you can do is get swept up in the moment and make a decision too quickly. 
4 min read
Melanie Edwards, MD
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retirement planning
There are many profound changes and considerations during the early stages of your career. Planning for retirement is one that needs your time and attention now. 
4 min read
Olugbenga Okusanya, MD

A new and exciting space, The Hub will be the center of activity for programs, sessions, networking, and mentoring specifically for cardiothoracic surgery trainees and early surgeons.  Use the following schedule to plan to connect with your colleagues and refresh during the meeting:

"STS celebrates its 60th Annual Meeting"
The Hub will make its first appearance at STS 2024

Saturday, January 27
Juice Shots Available
9 - 9:45 a.m.

Early Career Insights with Dr. Leah Backhus, sponsored by AstraZeneca
9:10 - 9:40 a.m. 
Small Theater

STS Trainee Luncheon
11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Large Theater

Leaders in CT surgery, including members of the STS Board of Directors, Workforces, and Task Forces, will be seated with trainees to discuss topics of interest to residents. Discussion topics include subspecialty training, dedicated research time, interventional and catheter-based skills during training, gaps in diversity, training paradigms, the current job market, and addressing non-clinical training needs. Attendance is limited to trainees (residents, fellows, medical students, LTTF scholars) and invited faculty. 

Sunday, January 28
Ask the Experts: How I Succeeded as an Early Career Surgeon
7 - 8 a.m. 
Large Theater

Listen to a panel discussion from your colleagues who found success early in their careers. 

Moderators:
Dr. Brian Mitzman – University of Utah
Dr. Jessica Rove – University of Colorado

Panelists:
Dr. Amy Fiedler – University of California San Francisco
Dr. Stephanie Worrell – University of Arizona
Dr. Reilly Hobbs – University of Utah/Primary Children's Hospital
Dr. Derek Serna-Gallegos – University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Dr. Olugbenga Okusanya – Thomas Jefferson University

Juice Shots Available
9:45 - 10:30 a.m.

Early Career Journey Roundtables
9:55 - 10:30 a.m.
Large Theater

Early career surgeons and trainees have the opportunity to meet in an informal setting with STS leaders, who will offer insight into topics relevant to their career stages. Early career surgeons and trainees are on a unique journey, and seasoned surgeons will provide high-value information and an opportunity to meet and network with leaders in the specialty. 
(The roundtables listed below will be held concurrently.) 

STS: Your Career Journey Partner
This roundtable discussion will focus on how STS is a surgeon’s partner throughout one’s career journey, including how to become a more active and involved member; tap into award and fellowship opportunities; engage in STS’s resources, avenues of support, and advocacy opportunities; and make the most of the STS Annual Meeting. 

Trade Secrets for a Successful Career Journey
This roundtable discussion will focus on how surgeons can set themselves up for success early in their career journey, including how to navigate a job transition, negotiate a contract, get the most out of being a mentor or mentee, best manage one’s time, lead an OR team, and network with peers and colleagues. 

TSRA Luncheon
11:30 a.m. -12:45 p.m.
Large Theater

Join fellow trainees for the TSRA Luncheon moderated by TSRA President, Dr. David Blitzer. The program will include TSRA Awards, an update on TSDA activities, and a "State of the Workforce," including the job market and policy changes impacting trainees. 

Monday, January 29
STS Trainee Symposium: Professionalism Puzzles You May Encounter During Residency: How to Piece Together a Resolution
7:15 - 8:45 a.m.
Large Theater
Continental breakfast will be served 

This session showcases challenging situations that occur in medical practice regarding professionalism using real and hypothetical scenarios. 

Moderators: 
Dr. Elizabeth Dexter – Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Amber Duda – University of Nebraska Medical Center

Presentations:
Dr. Pauline Go — Penn State College of Medicine - Proper Use of Social Media for Surgeons
Dr. Clauden Louis – BayCare Medical Systems – Named in a Malpractice Lawsuit? Keep Calm, Consult with a Malpractice Lawyer, and Learn On
Dr. Aundrea Oliver – East Carolina Heart Institute at East Carolina University – Harassment in Residency
Dr. Sean A. Jordon – University of Tennessee Medical Center – A Co-Residents Substance Abuse is Affecting Their Work – What Now?  
Dr. Melanie Edwards – Trinity Health Care – Financial Planning During Training and the Transition from Training to Practice

Presentations of Thoracic Surgery Foundation Research Award Recipients
9:30 - 10 a.m.
Large Theater

A highlight of research being conducted by cardiothoracic surgeon and trainee recipients of a TSF Research Award. 

Juice Shots Available 
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Early Career Journey Roundtable: My Approach to Wellness
10:40 - 11:15 a.m.
Large Theater
Coffee will be served

Early career surgeons and trainees have an opportunity to meet in an informal setting with STS leaders who will provide insight into topics relevant to their career stage. Early career surgeons and trainees are on a unique journey, and seasoned surgeons will provide high value information and an opportunity to meet and network with leaders in the specialty.

This roundtable discussion will focus on achieving personal and professional wellness, how to avoid burnout, advice on personal self-care, and tips for achieving financial stability. 

Mock Oral Exams
Saturday, Jan. 27, 9 - 9:45 a.m.
Sunday, Jan. 28, 6:30 - 7 a.m. and 9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
Monday, Jan. 29, 12 - 1:15 p.m.

This program is designed to help decrease the stress of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) exam by allowing trainees to prepare for and practice with the oral exam format. Registrants will receive access to a collection of online modules and resources that provide an overview of effective oral exam test-taking strategies, the anatomy of an oral exam, mock oral exam dos and don’ts; and an in-person session with a mock examiner (including small group of other trainees) who will present case scenarios, pose questions, and provide individualized verbal and written feedback to each participant. Limited spots are available, and priority will be given to cardiothoracic surgery residents who are registered for the Annual Meeting and scheduled to take the ABTS oral examination in June 2024. 

STS Mentorship Program
STS Mentorship Program mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet up in the Networking Lounge. The STS Annual Meeting is an excellent opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet face-to-face with their program partners during breaks, meals, or any other time that works best for both parties. 

Painting with a Purpose
While in The Hub, tap into your creative side and contribute to Painting with a Purpose by adding your personal touch to a mural that will be completed through meeting-goers’ collected efforts and donated to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Galveston, TX, after the meeting.

Jan 17, 2024
5 min read

Podcast Episodes

STS offers a variety of podcasts that feature surgeons and other professionals discuss topics to that will help optimize your performance in and out of the OR.

Same Surgeon, Different Light Podcast

Same Surgeon, Different Light: Drs. Fatima G. Wilder and Asishana A. Osho

Two first-year faculty at Boston hospitals share their upbringings, early career challenges, and aspirations for the cardiothoracic surgery profession.

Listen to the Episode

Dr. Susan Moffatt-Bruce discusses burnout

Strategies for Surgeons to Prevent Burnout

An expert panel discusses strategies to avoid burnout, a significant concern among cardiothoracic surgeons. 

Listen to the Episode

The Resilient Surgeon #BeYourBestSelf

The Resilient Surgeon: Dr. Christopher Barnes

A deep dive into the impact of sleep deprivation on leadership performance and behavior, as well as its effects on interpersonal relationships. 

Listen to the Episode

Mentorship

Designed for STS members at any career level, the Mentorship Program connects professionals seeking career advice and other guidance. Early career surgeons can request mentorship from a more seasoned professional–as well as apply to mentor a trainee seeking guidance. Provide your contact information and notate your practice type and areas of interest (e.g., practice building, clinical research, contract negotiations) to assist in creating the best mentor/mentee match.

Find a mentor     Become a mentor

Fellowships, Awards, and Scholarships

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), the charitable arm of STS, provides research awards and grants aimed at developing the skills of early career surgeons, both as surgeon-scientists and health policy leaders, as well as scholarships for trainees and early career surgeons to attend various STS in-person events. 

TSF logo and photo of Dr. Doug Mathisen

TSF/STS Douglas Mathisen Traveling Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery

Up to $20,000 to support the continuing education of early career general thoracic surgeons to travel domestically or internationally in order to learn a new technique, adapt new technology, and collaborate between investigators. 

Learn More

TSF logo and photo of Dr. Robert Replogle

Robert L. Replogle Traveling Fellowship Award

Up to $10,000 for early career congenital heart surgeons committed to the treatment of congenital heart disease to travel to another institution for the purpose of learning a novel technique, adapting innovative technology, and/or fostering collaboration.

Learn More

TSF logo and photo of Dr. Nina Braunwald

Nina Starr Braunwald Research Award

Up to $85,000 per year for up to two years to support the work of an early-career woman cardiac surgeon (within five years of first faculty appointment).

Learn More

Ethics Forum Scholarships

The Cardiothoracic Ethics Forum, a joint STS and AATS project, offers scholarships in amounts up to $10,000 for cardiothoracic surgeons to obtain formal training in biomedical ethics.

Learn More

Advocacy Scholarships

These scholarships cover reasonable travel and meal expenses associated with attendance at an STS Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC.

Learn More

Health Policy Scholarship

STS and the American College of Surgeons offer an annual scholarship to subsidize attendance and participation in the Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Learn More

Social Media Outreach

Connect with the Workforce on Career Development members on X (formerly Twitter) @CTSurgCareers, and join quarterly TweetChats, during which Society leaders discuss early career issues in an open social media forum. Check out a slideshare recapping the conversation from the latest TweetChat on Negotiating for Early Career Surgeons moderated by Dr. Olugbenga Okusanya. 

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contract negotiations
Negotiating Contracts TweetChat Slideshare

 

Note: The opinions expressed in this X/Twitter feed are those of its contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Videos

Watch videos for focused discussions on topics that range from clinical scenarios to lively debates and roundtable discussions.

Young Professors: Insights and Tips for Early and Mid-Career Faculty

A discussion: how to balance clinical work with the scholarly activities that are necessary for promotion in a modern academic medicine environment.

Watch Video

 How Cardiothoracic Surgeons Are Reimbursed

8 in 8 Series: How Cardiothoracic Surgeons Are Reimbursed

 A look at the basics of surgeon salary and compensation, plus two types of reimbursement models.

Watch the Video

Finding Your First Job in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Finding Your First Job in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Tips on making a good impression during an interview, making sure that the job is a great fit, how to find the best career resources, and how to engage and maintain good mentors.

Watch the Video