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.
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.