On October 25-26, 2024, more than 230 members of perioperative and critical care teams from around the world gathered in Philadelphia for the 2024 Perioperative & Critical Care Conference. The conference focused on the latest techniques and management strategies in cardiovascular and thoracic critical care, as well as enhanced recovery after surgery. Participants gained valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing patient care and improving outcomes. 

The two-day event covered a wide range of topics, including fundamentals of waveforms and monitoring, goal-directed hemodynamic therapy and AKI prevention, ECMO fundamentals, improving communication in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and vasoplegia management. 

Here's what a few attendees said about the Perioperative & Critical Care Conference:

  •  "In the ECMO session, we not only saw the latest in technology and innovation, but also learned techniques that will help us treat our patients and get them out of the hospital in better condition,” Dr. Jeremiah Hayanga, West Virginia University Health System
  • "The conference was well-paced and engaging. The speakers were captivating, and the discussions were thought-provoking. The two days flew by!"
  • "The STS team did a fantastic job with the logistics of this large-scale conference. The recordings and slides will be a great way to review the material and share it with colleagues.”
  • "The conference was informative and highlighted areas where we can improve our practices. I appreciate the multidisciplinary focus, which is essential for optimal patient care."
  •  "As an APP, I truly enjoyed the conference and felt that the presentation and topics aligned well with my role. I look forward to attending again next year."

Check out our event photo gallery

Dec 4, 2024
2 min read

In this first episode of Thinking Thoracic, podcast host Dr. Erin Gillaspie talks with Dr. Wade Iams about notable takeaways on key clinical trials presented at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer and how these findings will help shape the thoracic surgery landscape. They share proactive steps on enhancing relationships within a multidisciplinary lung cancer care team and improving handoffs between specialties like surgery, medical oncology, and radiation.

40 mins
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lung cancer awareness month

As Lung Cancer Awareness Month begins, it’s important to reflect on the significant efforts made by STS over the past year to advocate for improved lung cancer outcomes and raise awareness. Key initiatives have included:  

2 min read
Derek Brandt, JD, STS Advocacy

Zoom credentials will be shared with registrants closer to the event date.

Join STS-PAC Chair Keith S. Naunheim, MD, and STS Council on Health Policy and Relationships Chair Joseph C. Cleveland Jr., MD, for a conversation about the outcome of the 2024 election and how it will affect cardiothoracic surgeons, their practices, and their patients. 

Discussion topics include: 

Date

Dr. Steven Gerndt is a cardiothoracic surgeon, speaker, and leadership mentor who developed the concept “Civilitas,” a system-wide cultural transformation focused on psychological safety and fostering of leadership by example. In this episode, Dr. Gerndt talks about his work dedicated to helping organizations and people navigate personal crises through counseling, affirmation, and empathy. He emphasizes the critical importance of allowing people in crisis to be heard.

51 min.

CHICAGO, IL – October 17, 2024 – The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) announces the release of two new risk calculators to inform physician-patient decision-making in thoracic surgery. Engineered using contemporary data from the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database, these interactive tools provide surgeons with accurate, preoperative risk estimations for outcomes of esophagectomy for cancer and pulmonary resection for lung cancer. 

Oct 23, 2024

STS podcasts feature conversations with member surgeons and expert influencers that shine a light on the most pressing issues and opportunities in CT surgery, leadership and surgeon wellness. Discover new ideas. Hear different perspectives, Find connections. 

Thank you to our 2024 STS-PAC Contributors
January 1 to October 9, 2024

 

Platinum Level ($2,500-$5,000)

Vinay Badhwar, MD
Joseph Bavaria, MD
Edward Bove, MD
Joanna Chikwe, MD 
Joseph Cleveland Jr., MD
Anthony L. Estrera, MD
Robert Headrick, MD
Dawn Hui, MD
Karen Kim, MD
Samuel Kim, MD
Thomas MacGillivray, MD
Cullen Morris, MD
Wilson Szeto, MD
Jess Thompson III, MD
Vinod Thourani, MD
Eric Vallieres, MD

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US Capitol building with trees

Congress recently passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through Dec. 20, providing a reprieve before another potential budget showdown. Despite the urgency of keeping the government running, significant progress has been made on key STS advocacy priorities in the House of Representatives.  
 

2 min read
Derek Brandt, JD, STS Advocacy