News & Media

STS News, Winter 2021 — Imagine this: You’re standing beside renowned surgeon Robert J. Cerfolio, MD, MBA, in an operating room at NYU Langone Health in New York City. You are watching every move he makes during a robotic lobectomy. You are listening intently as he talks you through his thought processes. You are looking around and able to see who is in the operating room, where they are standing, and what equipment is being used. And, almost unbelievably, you are doing all of this while sitting in front of your computer at home or in the office. That’s exactly what attendees can expect from “Immersive Video Experiences”—a new and exciting course series offered during STS 2021. “This is an amazing opportunity to bring the outside world into your operating room,” said Dr. Cerfolio. “Attendees will not only witness the technical aspects of a procedure, but they also will see and feel how you lead, how you inspire those around you to perform at their optimal levels, and how you make everyone in that room understand that although this is just another day of work for them, it’s that patient's only operation.”   In the OR with… The series, scheduled for Friday morning of STS 2021, will open with visits to the operating rooms of five different surgeon luminaries. These “In the OR” sessions will offer an interactive and visceral way to experience a robotic lobectomy, a congenital heart surgery, a valve-sparing aortic root procedure (reimplantation), a video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy, a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and a transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement. Alongside world-class surgeons—Dr. Cerfolio, Joseph A. Dearani, MD, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, from Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, Shanda H. Blackmon, MD, MPH, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Vinod H. Thourani, MD, from Piedmont Heart Institute in Atlanta, Georgia—attendees will experience these procedures from start to finish and be able to take in the entire operating room environment in a way that they’ve never been able to do before—at least from in front of a computer screen. With the use of specialized 360° cameras, participants will observe not just the insides of the chests, but they also will witness all of the outside happenings, including the sights and sounds of the surgeries—all real-life, no avatars, drawings, or animations—just as though they are in the room. Dr. Cerfolio explained that the series makes available “all of the optics” in the operating room: How do the team members get along? How do they move around the OR? What’s the culture in the room? How is the OR set up? What's being said during the surgery? What is the leadership style of the surgeon? Is it effective? “The immersive video experiences don’t offer a myopic view that just studies the surgical field and the technical exercise of the operation. But more so, the series offers additional unique features that help participants really understand how surgery is a team sport,” he said. During the sessions, the surgeons will talk through the actual operative techniques, as well as demonstrate the difference between good outcomes and masterful ones. A moderator will discuss with the surgeon key aspects of the procedure, drive the 360° views, and engage the audience during interactive discussion periods. “While traditional videos of surgical or transcatheter procedures offer only a unidimensional experience, this program allows participants to be engrossed within all aspects of the procedures and is guaranteed to enhance the learning of these complex surgeries for not only practicing physicians, but also residents and the entire heart team,” said Dr. Thourani. Deep Dives into... Following the “In the OR with...” series will be 11 “Deep Dive” courses. In these sessions, expert surgeons will share comprehensive dives into particular procedures, using a combination of video segments and interactive group discussions. The detailed descriptions, in-depth explanations, and meaningful conversations will provide participants with a full-bodied understanding of the following topics: Essentials of TAVR Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Procedure (Reimplantation) VATS Lobectomy Robotic Lobectomy Transseptal Puncture for Surgeons Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy Chest Wall Reconstruction after Tumor Resection Ross and Ross-Konno–Preventing Neoaortic Root Dilatation Navigating Initial Nights on Call: A GPS Guide for Residents How can I get out of this operating room? Valve Replacement Strategies in Neonates and Infants The Immersive Video Experiences are an optional add-on program that can be secured during STS 2021 registration for an extra fee and include both the “In the OR with…” and “Deep Dives into...” sessions (16 in all). For more information, visit sts.org/annualmeeting.    

Joseph A. Dearani, MD STS News, Winter 2021 — It’s finally 2021. I’m glad that 2020 is in the rearview mirror. 2020 took a toll on everyone—from the global pandemic and greater awareness about social injustices, to wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. No one was immune from stress, exhaustion, and uncertainty. Cardiothoracic surgeons rose to the challenge, however, and showed their grit throughout the year. Every day, I am proud that I chose this profession. I am proud of my colleagues, especially those on the front lines who have consistently shown great compassion and strength. I also am proud to be an STS member. During a most difficult and disruptive year, volunteer leaders and staff forged ahead with initiatives that were already in process and used their ingenuity to introduce new ways of supporting the specialty and helping members with their day-to-day needs. Not only did the various phases of the next generation STS National Database push forward and continue to evolve and advance the specialty (see page 12), but we also offered a series of online educational opportunities that included basic and advanced virtual courses, hour-long webinars, 8-minute microlearning videos, and the long-awaited launch of the STS Cardiothoracic Surgery E-Book (see fall 2020 issue of STS News). In mid-December, on the day that a US Food and Drug Administration committee recommended approval of the first COVID vaccine, Dr. Melanie Edwards and I hosted an evening webinar during which we talked to three high-profile infectious disease experts who offered their expertise, advice, and guidance. We discussed COVID therapeutics, various nuances about the vaccine, how to keep health care workers safe, and talking points for our patients. If you didn’t have a chance to watch the webinar, it is available on the STS YouTube Channel or via the STS website at sts.org/covid-19. Because it will take months to distribute and administer vaccines around the world, Dr. Deborah Birx, from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, emphasized the importance of vigilant prevention. I echo her concerns that the presence of effective vaccines may lead some to act recklessly.   Please tell your family, friends, and patients to wear their masks, practice social distancing, and maintain routine health care. It’s also important to get a flu shot. Having coinfection with flu and COVID could be devastating. Life will get back to normal, but not any time soon. We need to be patient for a little longer, but I am confident that we again will rise to the challenge—as we have before—and we will get through this. Every day, I am proud that I chose this profession. I am proud of my colleagues, especially those on the front lines who have consistently shown great compassion and strength.  Joseph A. Dearani, MD STS 2021 In a few short weeks, STS will hold its annual meeting. Although STS 2021 will be virtual, that doesn’t mean it will be an online version of what you would experience in a convention center. Yes, you still will have the opportunity to hear about late-breaking research and witness pioneers and luminaries in our field discuss and debate important topics. But we’ve embraced technology and developed a program that will make the most of that online experience. The meeting will be interactive, allow you to see inside an operating room during a procedure, ask questions, chat with friends, and take part in social and wellness activities (see cover story).  A few months ago, when the Board of Directors made the very difficult decision to convert STS 2021 into a virtual meeting, we didn’t know how long the pandemic would last. Many of us were reluctant to change an event that we look forward to every year. We now know that we made the right decision. I want to express my gratitude to the Workforce on Annual Meeting, under the direction of Dr. Juan Crestanello and task force chairs Drs. Mara Antonoff, Tom Nguyen, Usman Ahmad, and Sloane Guy, for their strong work with the STS staff to create what will be an unforgettable experience. Advocacy Victory Before I sign off on my last STS President’s Column, I also want to thank my colleagues who worked tirelessly to fight—and beat—the unfortunate and misguided CMS decision to significantly cut Medicare reimbursement for cardiothoracic surgeons. We, again, rose to the challenge; we won the initial battle, but the fight is far from over. See page 18. Finally, I want to thank you and all STS members for their support and feedback. I am honored to have served as STS President for the past year. I look forward to seeing you virtually at STS 2021. Be well and be safe. 

Joseph A. Dearani, MD STS News, Fall 2020 —Fall has arrived, which means the Program Planning Committee and the STS staff are concentrating on developing the upcoming STS Annual Meeting.  This year hasn’t been typical, though, so the planning has been different than anything we’ve ever experienced. We had hoped that the COVID pandemic would have subsided and a vaccine would have been available to the masses. That hasn’t happened yet, so we made the difficult decision to change STS 2021 into a virtual meeting, rather than an in-person meeting in Austin, Texas.  At first, I was disappointed that I wouldn’t have the opportunity to see many of my friends and colleagues and other STS members. But as we explored the options for a virtual meeting and I saw what was possible, I thought “that’s incredible!” I realized that we could put together a meeting that would welcome more cardiothoracic surgeons and their team members than ever before AND that we still could offer high-quality science, interactive presentations, networking and mentoring opportunities, and a chance to interact with our colleagues in industry and learn about new medical devices and technologies—we just had to embrace every side of innovation. And that’s what we are doing. We are taking advantage of the latest virtual platform innovations to create an immersive experience that will allow attendees to engage, learn new things, be inspired, and have an amazing experience. See our cover story for more details. Behind the scenes, we also are embracing device, product, and process innovations from industry representatives and expanding our educational programs to include an online robotics curriculum, a  transformed Learning Center, a new cardiothoracic surgery e-book, and a new podcast series that will help us—and the world—get to know the people behind the surgical mask better. This new series, “Same Surgeon, Different Light,” is part of our growing efforts to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, and help build a strong cardiothoracic surgical specialty that reflects the patient population it serves. You can learn about the new podcast series and many of the other new initiatives throughout this publication. Fighting for You and Our Future The COVID pandemic has put a strain on all of us. We have served on the front lines during the height of the crisis. We have worked extraordinarily long hours, been exposed to physical and emotional trauma, and thrust into very difficult circumstances. The cessation of elective surgery by state governments, salary reductions to help compensate for hospital and health care institutional losses, and illnesses as a result of COVID-19 have devastated many practices. Now, as we work to rebuild our practices and prepare for a potential surge in new COVID cases this fall and winter, we face the additional burden of an impending 9% Medicare reimbursement cut beginning on January 1. I want to assure you that STS is doing everything it can to fight these proposed cuts, and we thank everyone who has made the effort to contest these reimbursement reductions. Please continue battling with us; our voices are stronger together. More information on how you can get involved is available on page 19. Managing Stress Few career paths require relentless tests of resolve and commitment as the path to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. That’s why – especially now –we all need to take the time and conduct regular self-assessment checks and maintain a good balance between our personal and professional lives. One way that I help manage my own stress is through music. I played piano during grade school and began playing the saxophone in college. Every morning before work, I play my saxophone for an hour in a soundproof room—“the 4:30 room”—in my home. I love rhythm and blues and classical standards, and I also have a passion for jazz. Playing music helps put me in the right frame of mind to handle the obstacles that I may find later in the day. Many parallels exist between the bandstand and the operating room—team members are able to exercise leading or supporting roles, as well as develop communication and listening skills. In addition, studies have shown that music not only helps a surgeon perform better in the OR, but also can calm a patient’s nerves before an operation. Music is an important part of my life for a number of reasons, and whether you are a musician or just an avid listener, I hope that music is an important part of your life as well. So as we adapt and evolve because of the COVID pandemic, let’s remember that although we face many new challenges, I am confident that we will prevail—as a specialty and as a community of health care workers around the world that always will face challenges with purpose and passion. Each day I count my blessings and reflect on the silver linings from this pandemic. And as I see how the Society is adapting and changing with the times, I’m getting jazzed about sharing that experience with you through content, collaboration, and community during the STS 2021 meeting. Although I won’t be wearing my cowboy boots or enjoying barbeque with you in Austin, I look forward to the new year, the growth of our Society, and the evolution of our specialty. Be well and be safe.