All Members

#177; S6: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Ara Vaporciyan

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.

60 min

#176, S5 The Multitasking Myth: Attention, Errors, and the Surgeon’s Mind

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.

50 mins.

Strengthening Leadership Through Team Development and Self-Growth

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.

May 4, 2026

2 min read

EACTS/STS/CSIA Cardio-Thoracic Conference

The Inaugural Cardio-Thoracic Conference "In Africa for Africa"

Sep 4–6, 2026

Cape Town, South Africa

#176; S6: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku

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.

49 min

2026 STS Advocacy Conference - Highlights from the Hill

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.

1 min. 57 sec.

Redo Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement Shows Long-Term Survival Advantage Over Transcatheter Valve-in-Valve

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.

Apr 21, 2026

Thinking Thoracic with Dr. Rene Petersen

#20, S2 Advancing ERAS and the Evolution of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery

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.

35 min

From the Operating Room to Capitol Hill: Why Cardiothoracic Surgeons Must Lead in Health Policy

As a surgical resident, I am trained to focus on what is immediately in front of me, the patient, the operation, the outcome. But stepping into a congressional office as part of STS's advocacy efforts offered a stark reminder: many of the factors that shape our patients’ outcomes are determined far beyond the walls of the operating room.

Apr 21, 2026

4 min read

Ahmad M. Hider, MD, MPhil

Susan Moffatt-Bruce, MD, and Elliot Servais, MD, from the 2026 STS Advocacy Conference

Susan Moffatt-Bruce, MD, PhD, MBA, Chair, STS Council on Health Policy and Relationships, shares how STS advocacy delivers real impact for members and patients alike – and how you can get involved. Elliot Servais, MD, discusses mobile lung cancer screening and how STS is influencing key policy decisions.

4 min., 26 sec.

2027 Inpatient Payment Proposed Rule: Key Changes and Implications for Cardiothoracic Surgeons

Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule. STS has compiled a summary of the rule’s key provisions affecting cardiothoracic surgery.

Apr 17, 2026

2 min read

Molly Peltzman, STS Advocacy

#175; S6: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ Dr. Stephanie Chang

This episode’s guest is Dr. Stephanie Chang, Surgical Director of Lung Transplant at NYU Langone Transplant Institute. Listen as co-hosts Dr. Sara Pereira and Dr. Cherie Erkmen explore how Dr. Chang’s childhood dream of teaching evolved into a career in surgical precision and innovation. She reflects on the moment a college biology class sparked her fascination with CABG, the mentorship that shaped her during training at Washington University in St.

45 min

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