nelson

Blog
Making Efficiency a Team Priority in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Efficiency can be misunderstood as simply working faster. In reality, true efficiency in the operating room is about making every movement count, communicating clearly so that needs are understood, understanding the needs of the team, and simplifying the system. Efficiency is a collective achievement—one that the surgeon is uniquely positioned to lead, and it requires a coordinated, high-performing team.
3 min read
David Nelson, MD
magruder

Blog
Maximizing Relationships with Referring Physicians

As a new cardiothoracic surgeon, interacting with referring providers can be a confusing and daunting experience at times. We have little training or exposure to this critical aspect of practice in residency and fellowship, yet it dramatically affects your success as a surgeon. In some larger and/or academic practices, referring networks and mechanisms may be well established; in smaller community practices, these relationships can determine your survival as a surgeon.
7 min read
J. Trent Magruder, MD
mentorship

Blog
The Mentor I Didn’t Know I Needed

When I was selected for the Looking to the Future Scholarship Program by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), I expected the 61st Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California to be an inspiring academic experience. But it was much more than that.
3 min read
Jad Elharake, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
DC Capitol

Blog
Congress Secures Physician Payment Increase While Broader Health Priorities Are Undermined in Reconciliation Package 

Congress has passed a finalized reconciliation package that includes a 2.5% increase in physician payment for 2026. This is a substantial win for our community, especially after experiencing a 2.8% reduction in Medicare physician payments in 2025. STS will continue to advocate for long-term reform in Medicare physician payment policies.    

2 min read
Molly Peltzman, STS Advocacy
international

Blog
Too Young for TAVI? Prioritizing Evidence Over Age

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has dramatically changed the landscape of care for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), evolving from a palliative option for those deemed inoperable to a widely accepted alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in high-risk groups.

7 min read
Mateo Marin-Cuartas, MD, Leipzig Heart Center in Germany
halub

Blog
Leading with Safety: Lessons from the 2025 STS Leadership Institute

The 2025 STS Leadership Institute meeting held in Chicago was a fantastic experience that far exceeded my expectations. I was not only able to network and get to know many people in the field, but was also able to take away many lessons that helped me to determine the path I would like to take to become a better leader as I grow and mature as a surgeon.
2 min read
Meghan Halub, MD
greenleaf

Blog
Finding the Right Fit: A CT Surgeon’s Guide to Evaluating Job Opportunities

Starting your first job, or making your first move, as a cardiothoracic surgeon is a big step. The right decision can shape your professional and personal life for years to come. You would prefer not to be that person who makes the wrong choice and who bounces from wrong job to wrong job for the next 10 years.
4 min read
Christopher Greenleaf, MD
US Capitol building with blue skies

Blog
The House Sends Their Reconciliation Package to the Senate

In late May, House Republicans narrowly passed a sweeping bill aimed at advancing President Trump’s domestic agenda with a vote of 215 to 214. The bill now heads to the Senate, where additional changes are expected. STS is actively engaging with congressional offices to raise several areas of concern and improve the bill:

2 min read
Derek Brandt, JD, STS Advocacy
mentorship

Blog
The Power of Mentorship: What I Learned from a CT Surgery Leader

In December, on the eve of our last winter break, medical students swarm the library like anxious ants, eager to hear advice from those who had survived the crucible of clerkships. Having nurtured an inclination for cardiothoracic surgery, I waited until the session was over to approach one of the panelists and get the insider information.
4 min read
Alan Gutierrez
advocacy

Blog
Reconciliation: What It All Means

Last week, the Energy & Commerce Committee advanced its section of the budget reconciliation package, which includes approximately $880 billion in federal spending cuts—most of which target the Medicaid program.

4 min read
Haley Brown, STS Advocacy
leadership institute

Blog
The Leadership Institute Experience: Mastering Conflict in High-Stakes Surgery

Conflict is inevitable in the high-pressure, high-stakes world of cardiothoracic surgery. Whether it's a difference in opinion during an operation, tension between surgical team members, or friction over program outcomes, the ability to manage conflict effectively is a critical—yet often underdeveloped—skill for surgeons at all stages of their careers.
3 min read
Raghav Murthy, MD
Capitol building

Blog
New Hospital Rule Pushes CABG Payment Model Forward

In April, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed rule for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System. This annual regulation includes several initiatives that will directly impact cardiothoracic surgery.

2 min read
Derek Brandt, JD, STS Advocacy
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