The STS Boot Camp is designed to provide an experiential foundation and hands-on practice in basic cardiothoracic operating skills. Resident participants will receive expert instruction and utilize simulators that enhance the learning experience by replicating real-world cases and emergency scenarios. Program directors will be invited to nominate first-year residents to participate later this spring.
Participants are nominated by their program directors. The nomination period will open at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 2, and close on April 23. Program directors will receive further instructions via email.
Nominations
Who is eligible to participate?
First-year residents at traditional two- and three-year programs who start July/August 2025, third-year residents at I6 programs as of July/August 2025, and fourth-year residents at 4/3 programs as of July/August 2025.
What information is required?
Resident’s name, PGY, program track (traditional, I6, or 4/3), personal email address, institutional email address (if available).
Agenda
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 - 8:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Registration |
| 7 - 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 7:15 - 7:35 a.m. | Welcome & Overview of Events Jonathan C. Nesbitt, MD, Co-Chair, STS Boot Camp |
| 7:35 - 8 a.m. | Direct the Director Overview Steven Yang, MD |
| 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Exhibit Hours |
| 8 - 10 a.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 10 - 10:30 a.m. | Morning Break / Visit Exhibits |
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:45 - 1:30 p.m. | Industry Symposium: Abbott |
| 1:30 - 1:45 p.m. | STS Presidential Update Joseph Sabik, MD, STS President |
| 1:45 - 2 p.m. | Visit Exhibits |
| 1:45 - 2 p.m. | Group Photo |
| 2 - 4 p.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 4 - 4:30 p.m. | Afternoon Break / Visit Exhibits |
| 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7 - 7:20 p.m. | Importance of Performing Ablation James Edgerton, MD |
| 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | WET LAB TRAINING SESSION: Mitral Valve Surgery Eugene Grossi, MD (Sponsored by: Medtronic) |
*Subject to change
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Registration / Exhibit Hours |
| 7:15 - 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 - 10 a.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 10 - 10:30 a.m. | Morning Break / Visit Exhibits |
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:45 - 1:05 p.m. | Financial Planning for Residents
|
| 1:05 - 1:20 p.m. | ABTS Update (Pre-Recorded) Cameron D. Wright, MD |
| 1:20 - 1:45 p.m. | Visit Exhibits |
| 1:45 - 3:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 3:45 - 4:15 p.m. | Afternoon Break / Visit Exhibits |
| 4:15 - 6:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:15 - 9:15 p.m. | WET LAB TRAINING SESSION: Aortic Valve Surgery Dawn Hui, MD (Sponsored By: Medtronic) |
*Subject to change
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:45 - 7:30 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. | Morning Break |
| 9:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions I-VI * |
| 11:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
*Subject to change
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of Boot Camp, attendees should be able to:
- Explain the surgical principles of coronary revascularization and satisfactorily perform proximal and distal coronary anastomoses.
- Adequately perform wire skills with performance of TAVR procedures.
- Adequately perform aortic and atrial cannulation along with placing a patient on cardiopulmonary bypass and subsequently weaning of the process and decannulation.
- Explain the principles of the cardiopulmonary bypass machine as well as common troubleshooting issues that can arise when a patient is on CPB.
- Recognize the basics of echocardiography and standard normal and pathologic findings with TEE.
- Describe the fundamental surgical techniques and strategies for performing an open pulmonary lobectomy.
- Satisfactorily operate the Da Vinci robot and conduct the basic skills necessary to perform a robotic- assisted pulmonary lobectomy.
- Adequately operate the Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) Scope and perform EBUS-directed biopsy of parabronchial and paratracheal lymph nodes.
- Adequately perform navigational bronchoscopy
- Adequately perform robotic bronchoscopy.
- Adequately perform trans thoracic lung biopsy.
- Manage insertion of a double lumen endotracheal tube, as well as troubleshoot problems that commonly occur after the tube has been placed.
- Proficiently place an esophageal and tracheal stent.
- Proficiently place and use a rigid bronchoscope.
Registration and Travel
Registration Fees
The 2025 registration fee is $1,300 per resident. Program Directors will be notified by STS if their resident was accepted to this year's Boot Camp and invoiced to cover the registration fee. Questions? Contact the STS Education Department.
Travel and Housing
Programs are responsible for covering all travel-related expenses (airfare and ground transportation) and lodging expenses at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare. Programs also are responsible for making all travel arrangements and hotel reservations. A housing link to make reservations at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare will be provided after resident participation is confirmed. Residents are expected to stay a minimum of three nights from Thursday, August 21 through Sunday, August 24. It is at the program’s discretion whether or not each participant requires lodging for more than three nights.
Industry Registration
Participating industry must register additional staff for $950.
Exhibitors
These are the exhibitors who will be at Boot Camp this year:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Each year, Arthrex develops thousands of orthopedic products and techniques dedicated to helping surgeons treat their patients better. We are excited to expand our technology into cardiothoracic surgery.
At Cook Medical, we innovate and manufacture quality medical devices to improve lives. We focus on bringing compelling products to market and keeping existing ones relevant. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and global manufacturing facilities, we aim to increase our impact worldwide. Follow us at CookMedical.com and on LinkedIn.
Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most.
Gore engineers medical devices that treat a range of cardiovascular and other health conditions. Product performance, ease of use and quality of service provide sustainable cost savings for physicians, hospitals and insurers. Gore is joined in service with clinicians and through this collaboration we are improving lives.
Hemostasis brings decades of experience in developing high-quality hemostatic solutions across the medical field. We’re now bringing that expertise to the cardiac market with our innovative product, BoneSeal.
Abiomed, Inc., part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, is a leading provider of medical technologies that provide circulatory support and oxygenation. Our products are designed to enable the heart to rest by improving blood flow and/or provide sufficient oxygenation to those in rAbiomed, Inc., part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, is a leading provider of medical technologies that provide circulatory support and oxygenation. Our products are designed to enable the heart to rest by improving blood flow and/or provide sufficient oxygenation to those in respiratory failure. For more information visit www.heartrecovery.com. espiratory failure. For more information visit www.heartrecovery.com.
Ethicon’s cardiovascular solutions elevate surgical training with advanced wound closure and hemostasis technologies. Featuring EVERPOINT™ sutures, STRATAFIX™ barbed sutures, PRINEO™ skin closure system, and VISTASEAL™ hemostatic sealant, our portfolio supports precision, efficiency, and optimal outcomes—empowering residents and fellows at STS Bootcamp Chicago.
Medistim provides intraoperative quality assessment tools for cardiac surgery, including Transit Time Flow Measurement (TTFM) and high-frequency ultrasound imaging. Our technology helps surgeons verify graft patency and optimize outcomes in real time. Medistim supports confident decision-making in cardiac, vascular and transplant procedures.
We lead global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us. Medtronic. Engineering the extraordinary.
Pinnacle Biologics is a specialty pharmaceutical company that enables critical therapies to maximize their potential and create new hope in the patients they treat.
The Army medical department empowers healthcare professionals with unparalleled leadership opportunities and access to state-of-the-art medical research. Highlights the myriads of financial possibilities and the unique benefits of blending military service with medical practice.