The Best Science Presented at the 2026 European Lung Cancer Congress
The STS 2026 Best of Lung Cancer Sciencespecial edition podcast series provides members with direct access to the most clinically relevant and practice-informing advances in lung cancer, curated and interpreted by thoracic surgeons for thoracic surgeons.
Though we are taught many skills during cardiothoracic surgery training, some of the most important are learned only after entering practice. One of those skills is the art of onboarding a new partner.
Surgeons and multidisciplinary teams from across the country gathered May 14–15 in Norcross, Georgia, for the 2026 STS Workshop on Robotic Cardiac Surgery. This intensive, two-day program combined expert lectures, case discussions, and immersive simulation to help teams launch or advance their robotic cardiac surgery programs.
Designed for all experience levels, the course focused heavily on robotic mitral valve procedures and coronary revascularization.
High-Fidelity Simulation Builds Team Confidence
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Course directors Dr. Arman Arghami and Dr. Arnar Geirsson
Participants spent significant time in a state-of-the-art simulation facility, gaining hands-on experience with surgical robotic platforms. Lab sessions covered critical techniques including:
Robotic mitral valve repair and replacement
Total endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB)
Hybrid coronary revascularization
Under expert faculty guidance, attendees practiced port placement, myocardial protection, and intraoperative troubleshooting. The environment allowed surgeons, bedside assistants, and OR staff to refine their real-time coordination.
“STS has been committed to robotic cardiac surgery for the last several years, which has been instrumental as we continue to advance the robotic cardiac surgery subspecialty through both this workshop and its integration into the Annual Meeting,” said course co-director Arnar Geirsson, MD, of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
A Comprehensive Valve and Coronary Curriculum
Structured didactic sessions reviewed the latest evidence, patient selection criteria, and operative strategies. Faculty experts covered:
Advanced Techniques: Multivalve procedures, combined valve/CABG cases, and managing complications
Focus on Program Infrastructure
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Beyond technical mastery, the workshop emphasized the business and logistics of robotics. Sessions explored how to optimize OR setup, streamline interdisciplinary communication, and secure institutional support to build a sustainable service line.
“During this year’s workshop, the focus on teams helped bring together the interests of the faculty and allied health professionals, including surgical assistants and scrub teams, so they could learn together and build teams that advance their practice,” said course co-director Arman Arghami, MD, of Mayo Clinic.
Through its powerful mix of high-tech simulation and collaborative learning, the STS Workshop remains a premier launchpad for the future of minimally invasive cardiac surgery.
On May 6, 2026, Representative Eric Burlison (R-MO) visited SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital to learn how policy decisions impact surgeons—and the patients they serve. When lawmakers visit a hospital, advocacy becomes tangible. That was the case when Rep. Burlison toured SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital alongside cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Jen Vigneswaran, Dr.
In this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with Dr. Ara Vaporciyan, professor of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to explore a career dedicated to advancing surgical education and leadership.
In a new episode of The Resilient Surgeon, host Melanie Edwards, MD, sits down with cognitive neuroscientist Daniel Smilek of the University of Waterloo’s Vision & Attention Lab to explore how attention and perception shape performance. Their conversation dives into the realities of everyday multitasking, examining how it contributes to lapses in attention, cognitive errors, and mind wandering. Smilek connects this research directly to surgical practice and surgeon well-being. Listen today.
On April 24, 2026, the STS Leadership Institute convened in Chicago for its second session in a five-part leadership development series. Held at the Fairmont Chicago, the one-day program brought together more than 40 participants, six task force surgeons, and five faculty members to explore team dynamics, personal growth, and leadership effectiveness. The event began with a welcome reception the evening prior, fostering early connections among attendees.
The Leading Others session focused on core leadership competencies, including leading diverse teams, managing conflict, evaluating performance, and cultivating a culture of wellness—skills essential for cardiothoracic surgeons navigating increasingly complex clinical and organizational environments.
Interactive Learning and Practical Leadership Strategies
The program opened with remarks from STS President Vinay Badhwar, MD, and course director Mara B. Antonoff, MD, who emphasized the importance of continuous leadership development. Early sessions, led by Dr. Antonoff and Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, PhD, examined how individual growth strengthens team leadership.
Attendees engaged in interactive case scenarios and small-group discussions, with a focus on evaluating early-career colleagues—an increasingly important skill as participants step into leadership roles. “Programs like this reinforce that leadership is a skill we have to continually refine,” said Leadership Institute participant Evan Alicuben, MD. “The combination of self-reflection and practical application made it relevant to how we lead our teams every day.”
Afternoon sessions continued with case-based discussions on conflict management, drawing on the “Five Dysfunctions of a Team” framework. Participants worked in table groups to analyze interpersonal dynamics and develop actionable strategies. “The case-based format and small-group discussions really brought the concepts to life,” said Leadership Institute participant Kyla Joubert, MD. “We were able to work through real scenarios and leave with strategies we can apply right away in our own institutions.” A session on fostering a culture of wellness, led by Melanie A. Edwards, MD, reinforced the role of leadership in supporting team well-being and resilience.
Throughout the day, the emphasis on case scenarios and small-group dialogue created an engaging environment for exchanging perspectives and applying concepts in practice.
Looking ahead, the STS Leadership Institute will continue its curriculum with additional sessions leading to a capstone at the 2027 STS Annual Meeting in San Diego, creating an ongoing development experience to help participants lead effectively in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
In this episode, Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku of the University of Toronto, a global leader in minimally invasive thoracic oncology, to explore a career shaped by discipline, innovation, and cross-cultural experience.
Fifty STS delegates gathered in Washington DC, March 23-24, to help influence healthcare policy and champion causes important to CT surgeons and their patients. Learn how you can get involved with STS advocacy.
CHICAGO, IL — April 21, 2026 — A new multicenter study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery finds that reoperative surgical mitral valve replacement (rSMVR) is associated with significantly better long-term survival compared to transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (mViV) procedures in patients with failing bioprosthetic mitral valves. While both approaches demonstrated similar safety and procedural success at 30 days, key differences emerged over time, particularly beyond the first year.
In this episode of Thinking Thoracic, podcast hosts Hari Keshava, MD, and Erin Gillaspie, MD, talk with René Petersen, MD, of Copenhagen University Hospital, about the latest developments in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.
As a longtime leader and pioneer in the field, Dr. Petersen shares insights from his extensive experience advancing recovery practices. The conversation covers the broader evolution of minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including video-assisted approaches, and how these developments inform patient selection for tubeless procedures.
