In the season premiere of Same Surgeon, Different Light, new co-hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with Dr. David T. Cooke, professor in the Division of General Thoracic Surgery at UC Davis Health, and Dr. Thomas Varghese, professor and section chief of General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Together, they reflect on the surprising and inspiring stories shared throughout previous seasons. The episode wraps up with Drs.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons today announced the 2025 Nina Starr Braunwald Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Award recipients at its 61st Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. Now in its third year, the award is co-sponsored by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS) and honors women cardiothoracic surgeons who have demonstrated exceptional clinical expertise and made significant contributions to the field.
This year’s recipients are Jessica Donington, MD; Stephanie Fuller, MD; and Aya Saito, MD.
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2025 Nina Starr Braunwald Extraordinary Women in CT Surgery Award recipients (l to r) Dr. Ayo Saito, Dr. Jessica Donington, and Dr. Stephanie Fuller.
“It is our privilege to honor these exceptional women and celebrate their achievements as surgeons, leaders, and mentors,” said STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS. “They inspire and empower the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons, both women and men, to reach new heights in their fields.”
Meet these exceptional women surgeons:
Dr. Jessica Donington, a thoracic surgeon specializing in benign and malignant chest diseases, is at the forefront of the fight against lung cancer. As professor of surgery and chief of thoracic surgery at UChicago Medicine and director of lung cancer screening at UChicago, she leads thoracic oncology research, focusing on early detection and innovative surgical approaches. Her groundbreaking clinical trials are transforming patient care by paving the way for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments.
As an advocate for equitable access to screenings and life-saving treatments, particularly for underserved communities on Chicago’s South Side, Dr. Donington works tirelessly to ensure all individuals have the opportunity for timely intervention.
With a strong commitment to advancing the field, Dr. Donington has accepted leadership roles at prominent cardiothoracic surgery organizations. As a past president of Women in Thoracic Surgery, New York Society for Thoracic Surgery, and Western Thoracic Surgical Association, Dr. Donington has championed opportunities for future generations, especially women in the field. She is a member of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and serves on the editorial boards of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Journal of Thoracic Oncology, and CHEST.
Dr. Donington is not only an accomplished surgeon and researcher but also a dedicated educator, earning numerous awards for her exceptional ability to inspire students, residents, and fellows, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology Excellence in Teaching Award and the Distinguished Leader in Program Innovation from the University of Chicago’s Biological Sciences Division. A sought-after speaker both locally and internationally, she continues to shape the future of thoracic surgery through her unwavering commitment to patient care, research, and education.
Several of Dr. Donington’s peers have noted that her influence will resonate for decades, underscoring her enduring impact on both the surgical community and her patients.
Dr. Stephanie Fuller serves as the Thomas L. Spray, MD, Endowed Chair in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she is known for her innovative approach to treating congenital heart conditions in both children and adults. Leading the Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Center, she passionately advocates for lifelong care for adult survivors, ensuring they receive continuity in care from doctors familiar with the unique aspects of pediatric cancer survivorship. Her roles at the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Hospital further underscore her dedication to patient care.
Dr. Fuller is a respected researcher who has significantly contributed to understanding neurodevelopmental outcomes and quality of life following heart surgery. Her research emphasizes the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional well-being of patients. She is considered a pioneer in pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge to advance a more holistic approach to cardiac care.
Beyond her clinical and research work, Dr. Fuller is a dedicated mentor, shaping the next generation of surgeons as program director for the Congenital Cardiothoracic Fellowship at CHOP. She instills in her trainees the same passion and dedication that characterize her own career. The success of her mentees, many of whom have assumed leadership positions, reflects her commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Dr. Fuller’s leadership extends to national and international levels through her role as an oral examiner for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and her position as the 2025 Chair of the STS Annual Meeting Workforce. She is a strong advocate for gender equity in healthcare, promoting an inclusive environment where all can thrive.
Dr. Aya Saito, a cardiac surgeon, is recognized as one whose remarkable career has redefined the landscape of a traditionally male-dominated field. In 2023, she made history as the first female chairperson of the department of surgery at Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, an achievement with far-reaching implications for Japanese and Asian medicine.
Dr. Saito’s impressive background includes training at Yokohama City University School of Medicine, a PhD in cryopreserved heart valves from the University of Tokyo, and a clinical fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery and heart transplantation at the University of Western Ontario Hospital. Specializing in adult cardiac surgery, she is recognized for her expertise in off-pump coronary artery bypass, valvular heart disease, and aortic surgery, providing exceptional and compassionate care, especially to high-risk elderly patients.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Saito is a trailblazing researcher. Her pivotal work on cryopreserved allogeneic vascular tissues, published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, is highly regarded. She also spearheads the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database, which is influencing global clinical practices and raising standards in patient care.
Dr. Saito is deeply committed to mentorship and has founded Women in Thoracic Surgery in Japan, creating a supportive and empowering community for aspiring female surgeons. Dr. Saito’s colleagues emphasize that many of the achievements of women thoracic surgeons in Japan are directly attributable to her mentorship, highlighting her significant role in advancing and supporting women in the specialty — demonstrating that the future of medicine thrives when diverse voices are heard and valued.
“These exceptional women are essential voices in cardiothoracic surgery,” said Daniela Molena, MD, president of Women in Thoracic Surgery. “Each of them exemplifies the qualities needed to advance our specialty and inspire the next generation of women cardiothoracic surgery leaders.”
In this season finale of Same Surgeon, Different Light, co-host Dr. Thomas Varghese speaks with Dr. Stephanie Fuller, attending surgeon in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. and chair of the STS Workforce on Annual Meeting, about creating a life of impact. For Dr. Fuller, it's about positioning herself for new learning opportunities - both expected and unexpected. "Lessons will come from all sorts of people along your pathway. Be receptive to anybody willing to teach you," she advises.
Isabelle Opitz, MD, the director of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, and an associate professor for thoracic surgery at the University of Zurich, as well as the chair of the Lung Cancer Center in Zurich, talks with Dr. Thomas Varghese about her international career path, spanning Germany, France, and Switzerland, in this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light.
In this episode of The Same Surgeon, Different Light, podcast host Dr. Thomas Varghese explores the opportunities, the rewards, the sacrifice, and the struggles in life as a cardiothoracic surgeon with Dr. Mimi Ceppa, a thoracic surgeon at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Ceppa shares her family's journey as immigrants from Vietnam to Canada, the expectations placed on her to become a doctor, what it takes to get into medical school, and how she balances her career with her personal life. No doubt, it's a "can't miss" episode.
In this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, your host, Dr. David T. Cooke, talks with Dr. Ikenna Okereke, vice chair of the department of surgery at Henry Ford Health, and Dr. Mark Henderson, professor of medicine and vice chair of education at UC Davis Health, about the role of education in medical workforce diversity.
April is National Minority Health Month, a time and opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities. While our patient population in the US is rapidly diversifying, our specialty of cardiothoracic surgery remains one of the least diverse specialties in terms of gender and race.
In this episode, Dr. David T. Cooke talks with Dr. Angelica Martin, UC Davis Health, and Dr. Lillian Tsai, Stanford Medicine, about their career journeys and the people who have been a positive influence on them. “I come from an underserved community and I’m the first in my family to go to college,” said Dr. Martin. “At first, it felt like I was navigating this career on my own. My mentor has been my north star.”
Cardiothoracic surgery has historically been dominated by men. Yet the narrative of women in the specialty is one of groundbreaking achievements, perseverance, and resilience.
STS President Thomas MacGillivray, MD, recently hosted a Town Hall to get member input on how the Society can advance a more inclusive and welcoming community of cardiothoracic surgeons.
Facilitated by DEI Consultant James Pogue, PhD, the Town Hall focused on understanding member perceptions of where individuals, the specialty, and the Society are today with respect to DEI. “This work is about you, our members. We want your perspectives on the role that DEI should play in our specialty and our Society,” said Dr. MacGillivray. “This is your opportunity to speak up and have your voices heard.”
Key themes that emerged were the need for data to understand members’ general knowledge of DEI; a call to action for members to engage in real, meaningful conversations that result in tangible change; and a culture that elevates empathy, listening, kindness, and grace throughout this journey.
Dr. MacGillivray said he has listened to a wide range of opinions over the past five months, and he sees STS members at different levels of DEI understanding and engagement.
“The more we talk about things, the more we can learn. I hope all of us who are trained in science, data, and evidence take the knowledge gained from this journey and use it to help us build a better future for all,” added Dr. MacGillivray.
Leading up to the Town Hall, Dr. Pogue conducted one-on-one discussions with key stakeholders and a deep-dive DEI session with the STS Board of Directors. Next up is a member survey and focus groups. Dr. Pogue will use data and insights from this work to develop recommendations on the path forward for STS.
STS is pleased to co-present this free webinar on the Advances in Surgery channel. Creation of a free account on the AIS site is required to view the program.
Watch STS President Thomas MacGillivray and DEI consultant James Pogue discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion. The video includes Q&A, insights from moderators, and an update on the Society’s efforts to bolster its commitment to DEI. Viewers will come away with a deeper understanding of DEI, and the opportunities and challenges in advancing a culture of inclusivity within STS and the specialty.
Moderators
Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD
STS President
Washington, DC
James Pogue, PhD
President and CEO, JP Enterprises
Dallas, Texas
