STS 44th Annual Meeting Awards

Earl Bakken Scientific Achievement Award
Dr. William Baumgartner, professor of surgery and director of the Heart Transplant Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was the recipient of the 2008 Earl Bakken Scientific Achievement Award. The Bakken Award, sponsored by Medtronic, Inc., recognizes outstanding scientific achievements that have enhanced the practice of cardiothoracic surgery. 

W. Gerald Austen Young Investigator Award
The recipient of the inaugural W. Gerald Austen Young Investigator Award was Dr. Ranjit John, assistant professor at the University of Minnesota. The Austen award was given to Dr. John based on his proposed research, “Reversal of Endothelial Dysfunction: The Key to Cardiac Recovery in LVAD Recipients.” Launched in 2007 with financial support from Abiomed, Inc., the W. Gerald Austen Young Investigator Award is designed to encourage individuals to embark on a career in cardiothoracic research and education, with a focus on the recovery of heart function after an acute injury or illness.

Geriatric Patient Care Award
Dr. Vinod H. Thourani, Dr. Richard J. Myung, Dr. Omar M. Lattouf, Patrick Kilgo, MS, Dr. John D. Puskas, Karen Thompson, DO, Dr. Edward P. Chen, Dr. Robert A. Guyton, all from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, received the Geriatric Patient Care Award for 2008. This award is presented to the authors of the best abstract on the topic of aging and cardiothoracic surgery at the STS 44th Annual Meeting. Their research, “Long-Term Outcomes After Isolated Aortic Valve Replacement in Octogenarians: A Modern Perspective,” explored the recent advent of percutaneous valve therapy and the increased scrutiny of the outcomes following open aortic valve replacement (AVR) in elderly patients.

TSRA Socrates Award
Dr. Patrick M. McCarthy of Northwestern University in Chicago, received the Socrates Award from the  Thoracic Surgery Residents Association. The Socrates Award is presented annually to an outstanding faculty member in cardiothoracic surgery in recognition of their dedication to residency training, both in and out of the operating room.

TSDA Resident Paper Award
Dr. Tara Karamlou of the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, was the recipient of the 2008 Resident Award from the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association for her paper titled "The Rush to Atrial Septal Defect Closure: Is the Introduction of Percutaneous Closure Driving Utilization?" This award is given annually to a resident who is selected as having submitted the best research abstract at the STS Annual Meeting.

Distinguished Awards
Dr. Jeffrey B. Rich and Betsey Bradley Urschel both received the Distinguished Service Award at the STS Annual Meeting. Dr. Rich received the award for his work in the quality area, particularly regarding the National Quality Forum, along with his testimony before Congress three times in the past three years.

Mrs. Urschel, who received her award in recognition of the work she has done as the STS Spouse Postgraduate program planner for the past 25 years, is the first woman and nonsurgeon to receive the award.