Early Career Surgeons

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is thrilled to reassemble for its 61st Annual Meeting Jan. 24-26  in Los Angeles, which brings together cardiothoracic surgeons from around the globe and features late-breaking scientific research, cutting-edge technologies, innovative cardiothoracic surgery products,  dynamic and interactive training, and impactful networking and mentorship opportunities.  

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Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the meeting offers attendees — more than 2,000 professionals at all career stages— a seamless experience with plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and the exhibit hall all conveniently located. That makes it easy for attendees to navigate and connect with colleagues and industry leaders.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, three concurrent half-day pre-conference symposia will enhance the educational experience. These sessions will cover advancements in lung cancer, the diagnosis and treatment of aortic disease for patients of all ages, and more.

The first day of the Annual Meeting will kick off with the Nina Starr BraunwaldExtraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards breakfast. The event, co-hosted by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery, will celebrate women cardiothoracic surgeons who have excelled in clinical practice, made significant contributions to the field, and demonstrated leadership, mentorship, integrity, creativity, and expertise.

The inaugural Nina Starr Braunwald Lecture will be presented by Jennifer Doudna, PhD, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist renowned for her pioneering work in gene editing. She will explore how scientific innovation is shaping the future of medicine. The Vivien T. Thomas Lecture will feature award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker Ami Vitale. A passionate advocate for social responsibility, she will demonstrate how authentic storytelling can drive meaningful, positive change.

The Society will honor President Jennifer Romano, MD, MS, for her invaluable contributions to the organization as the first female president to hold the office. A special reception will be held at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, amidst a majestic backdrop of North American wildlife dioramas that adorn the hall. Space is limited for this event, so attendees are encouraged to add the reception to their cart during registration.

STS 2025 will offer practical courses on various surgical procedures, delivering an engaging and immersive learning experience for residents, early career surgeons, and all surgeons seeking to enhance their skills. The topics include aortic annular enlargement, TEVAR techniques for aneurysms and dissections, mitral valve repair, complex central airway reconstruction, and the Ross procedure.

For the second consecutive year, The Hub will serve as the focal point for cardiothoracic surgery trainees. The Hub’s lounge area will offer a variety of engaging sessions, including mock oral Interviews, job interview preparation, early career surgeon roundtable discussions, a trainee symposium with a luncheon, and more.

Attendees can also enjoy creative activities in The Hub, such as the collaborative mural project “Splashes of Hope,” where participants can contribute their creativity to artwork that will be donated to a local children's hospital. For those eager to capture memorable moments, the selfie station will offer a fun and interactive backdrop perfect for sharing on social media. 

Additionally, a scavenger hunt will inspire attendees to engage in challenges via the Annual Meeting app, with opportunities to win prizes. 

There’s still time to register, add ticketed events, and start planning your Los Angeles experience at sts.org/annualmeeting. 

Ready to level up your STS experience? The Hub is back for STS 2025. A fun and vibrant space, The Hub will be the center of activity for programs, sessions, networking, and mentoring specifically for cardiothoracic surgery trainees and early surgeons.  Check out the following schedule of daily activities.

Friday, January 24
LTTF Medical Students Program
9:30 - 10:45 a.m. 
Small Theatre

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By invitation only for the 2025 Looking to the Future (LTTF) Scholars, this session offers LTTF medical student scholars the chance to hear from CT surgeons and residents about the cardiothoracic field, including insights into their application and residency experiences. Upon completion of the session, participants will gain a clear understanding of how to navigate the application process for thoracic residency programs and the various types of CT surgery residency programs available. 

Learn more about the LTTF program and how you can become a LTTF Scholar. 

Photo Station
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Lounge Area

Update your professional headshot or have some fun with props at our selfie station. Be sure to share your pictures on social media!

STS Trainee Luncheon
11:15 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Big Theatre

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. 

STS Trainee Symposium: Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Career
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Big Theatre

Presented by the Workforce on Thoracic Surgery Resident Development, this essential session in The Hub will help residents and fellows learn how to find mentors, maintain professionalism, transition from resident to attending, interview for their first job, and manage student loans. Participants will gain the tools to secure mentorship for career transitions, maintain professionalism across settings, interview effectively, and manage student debt.

Heart Surgery 101: Concepts Your Faculty Wants You To Know
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Small Theatre

In this session, you will explore a range of essential topics including Imaging 101, where you'll learn to read echos and understand guided CTAs and PA numbers. The session will also cover the process of writing and publishing a paper, determining when to call the surgeon, and identifying post-residency career pathways with a focus on advanced fellowships. Additionally, there will be insights into perfecting your anastomoses, understanding PTTAVR and TEVAR, and opportunities to get involved in robotic cardiothoracic surgery.

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Saturday, January 25
How Medical Providers Can Build Wealth, Pay Off Debt, and Reduce Burnout

9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Small Theatre

In this presentation, James M. Dahle, MD, FACEP, a practicing emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor, will offer valuable insights into financial wellness. He will share a basic framework and actionable strategies to help attendees understand the link between financial stress and burnout.

Dr. Dahle will also provide practical advice on how to protect your most valuable assets and safeguard your loved ones from financial catastrophe. Additionally, he will discuss effective ways to build a nest egg, lower taxes, make smart investments, and ultimately achieve financial independence.

Challenges and Success of Parental Policies for CT Trainees
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Small Theatre

This session will explore parental policies for cardiothoracic trainees, highlighting the difficulties of parenthood and family planning in this demanding field. It will provide insights into the experiences of partners of women cardiothoracic surgeons and feature a moderated panel discussion with program directors and trainees, offering a platform to discuss how to navigate the balance between career and family life in the specialty. 

Winning Research: Presentations by TSF Awardees
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
Small Theatre

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), STS's charitable arm, provides grants and scholarships that support research, skill development, and access to top mentors and cutting-edge technology. Join us for this session where recent awardees will present their research projects in 5–10-minute presentations, followed by a feedback session.

Early Career Roundtables
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. 
Big Theatre

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Engage in focused, topic-driven discussions with experienced, senior surgeons and expand your professional network while learning how to advance your career. You will have the opportunity to explore subjects such as making the most of the STS Annual Meeting, discovering fellowship and award opportunities, and understanding the pathway to involvement and leadership within STS. Additionally, you'll learn strategies for managing your time effectively, negotiating contracts, transitioning from your first job, and gaining valuable networking tips.

LTTF General Surgery Residents Program
3 - 4 p.m.
Small Theatre

By invitation only for the 2025 Looking to the Future (LTTF) Scholars, this session offers an opportunity for Looking to the Future General Surgery Resident Scholars to hear from CT surgeons and residents about the future of cardiothoracic (CT) surgery, their residency experiences, and the job search process. Participants will gain insights into navigating the application process for thoracic residency programs, as well as a deeper understanding of the CT surgery field and the job search process.

Learn more about the LTTF program and how you can become an LTTF Scholar. 

Fiscal Issues Surrounding Modern Healthcare
4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Small Theatre

In this session, attendees will explore a variety of financial challenges facing contemporary healthcare, including the impact of government and private insurance, obstacles in academia and independent practice, the evolution since Medicare's introduction, and insights into future developments in the healthcare industry. 

Sunday, January 26
Early Career Roundtables
9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 
Big Theatre

Participate in targeted, focused discussions with experienced surgeons on topics like becoming an OR team leader, avoiding burnout, personal wellness, financial health, knowing when to say "yes" or "no," building successful systems, and achieving early clinical success while networking and advancing your career.

Mock Oral Exams
Fri. Jan. 24, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. 
Sat. Jan. 25, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.; 12 - 12:45 p.m.

This program is designed to help reduce Board exam stress by helping trainees prepare for the oral exam format. It includes online modules and resources that cover effective test-taking strategies, the structure of an oral exam, and key dos and don’ts. These materials are provided 1-2 weeks before the live session.

The course also features a live, 1.5-hour virtual role-playing session, where trainees work with mock examiners who present case scenarios, ask questions, and offer personalized feedback. Participants also receive a recording of the session for review.

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 2025.

Sun. Jan 26, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. 
Interview Rooms

ABTS Table and TSMA Suture Table
Fri. Jan. 24, 9 - 9:45 a.m.; 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 25, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.; 12 - 12:45 p.m.; 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.
Sun. Jan 26, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Lounge Area

Hone your suture skills at the Suture Table! STS is offering this opportunity in collaboration with the Thoracic Surgery Medical Students Association (TSMA).

Learn everything you need to know about board exams and your path to certification. Visit the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) info table where the ABTS team will answer your questions, provide valuable resources, and offer guidance on taking the board exams.

Job Interview Prep
Fri. Jan. 24, 9 - 9:45 a.m.
Sat. Jan. 25, 2:45 - 3:30 p.m. 
Interview Rooms

Join us for this new program designed to help trainees and early-career surgeons enhance their interview skills. Sign up for a 30-minute, one-on-one mock interview session, including 20 minutes of practice and 10 minutes of feedback. Participants can choose between an academic-focused or non-academic session. Once your slot is confirmed, you'll receive preparation instructions, including a short online course on "pitfalls to avoid during interviews" and a reminder to bring your most recent CV.