Spring 2024
Celebrating 60 Years as a Global Cardiothoracic Community
Cardiothoracic professionals from around the world came together at the 60th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in San Antonio, Texas, January 27-29, 2024.
More than 3,900 registrants from 57 countries were introduced to groundbreaking scientific research, engaged in hands-on demonstrations of new techniques and products, and reconnected with friends and colleagues.
Elevating Surgeon Wellness in 2024
Surgeons at every stage of their careers face intense pressures, long hours, and high-stakes decision-making, which can significantly impact their mental, physical, and emotional health.
President's Column
As a Michigan native, I have come to appreciate the seasons and how they offer new perspectives. Spring is here with more daylight, warmer temperatures, and trees full of buds ready to burst. I bought my house because of the 100-year-old crabapple trees full of blooms when we first saw it. I hope everyone is finding some renewed energy and fresh ideas this spring.
I recently had the opportunity to attend the General Thoracic Surgical Club (GTSC) meeting to bestow the STS awards for best abstracts...
Looking to the Future Scholars Reunite
Three CT surgeons working together at the Cleveland Clinic have a common history. Each are past recipients of the STS LTTF Scholars.
STS Launches New Valve Surgery Risk Calculators
STS has developed three new Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Calculators to inform heart team decision-making on valve surgery,
STS 2024 Panel Discussion
New research presented in a session titled, "Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism after Pulmonary Resection for Lung Cancer" highlighed findings of a study showing patients with postoperative PE had increased 30-day mortality, reintubation, and readmission rates.
Member News
Stay up to date on your colleagues’ professional achievements and find opportunities for connection, collaboration, mentorship, and more.
STS Past President Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, was selected to serve as the next president and chief academic officer (CAO) of RUSH University and CAO, senior vice president of RUSH. In his role as president and CAO at RUSH University, Dr. Higgins will be responsible for innovation and elevating RUSH as a national leader in healthcare education and research.
Wilson Szeto, MD, has been appointed chief of the division of cardiovascular surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. He also serves as a Julian Johnson II Professor of Surgery, at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and as STS Board secretary.
Lana Schumacher, MD, has been selected as the new director of the Center of Innovation at Tufts Medical Center and associate professor at the Tufts University School of Medicine. Before joining Tufts Medical Center, she served as director of the Robotic Thoracic Surgery MGH Network, assistant professor at Temple University, and director of Thoracic Robotic Surgery at Allegheny Health Network.
Christopher Phillips, MD, cardiovascular surgeon, Ascension Providence Rochester, was named a finalist in the Cardiac Surgery Innovation category of the 2024 Global Cardiovascular Award, presented by Cardiovascular News. He is being honored for his work in CryoNerve Ablation as a component of cERAS for heart surgery patients.
Washington Scene
STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, hosted U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) for a site visit at her medical practice.
TSF Recognizes 2024 Award Recipients
At STS 2024, TSF presented its research, education, leadership, and international surgical outreach awards.
Events & Education
2024 STS Coronary Conference
The 2024 STS Coronary Conference is an innovative international event taking place June 7-8, 2024, in Miami, Florida. This year’s meeting will be focused on the technical aspects of coronary surgery, from anastomotic techniques to the latest, advanced minimally invasive procedures.
2024 STS Boot Camp
This year's STS Boot Camp, Aug. 22-25, 2024, will be held in Chicago, Illinois, and gives resident participants an experiential foundation and practice in basic cardiothoracic operating skills.
2024 AQO: A Data Managers Meeting
The 2024 Advances in Quality & Outcomes: A Data Managers Meeting will be held Sept. 11-13, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. This three-day event offers a unique opportunity to explore techniques for optimizing data collection using case scenarios and driving quality improvement.