The STS Leadership Institute helps members in their first 15 years of practice to develop the skills necessary to lead teams in and out of the OR, strategize personal and professional goals, negotiate a career path, and influence change in the workplace.
As healthcare delivery grows more complex and rapidly transforms, physicians need essential leadership skills to adapt and work effectively with their teams in order to provide the best patient care. The STS Leadership Institute helps early career and mid-career surgeons who are STS members to develop and hone these skills (not available to current residents and fellows).
It includes five events: three virtual sessions and two in-person meetings. The capstone event will take place in San Diego, CA, in conjunction with the 2027 STS Annual Meeting. Selected applicants are required to participate in all five events of the series.
Course Directors
A dedicated workforce has implemented a rigorous and realistic course plan for the 2026-27 cohort. The encapsulated courses should guarantee a successful leadership path upon completing all five activities.
Mara B. Antonoff, MD
Anita R. Krueger, MD
Olugbenga T. Okusanya, MD
Joseph D. Phillips, MD
Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, PhD
Panos N. Vardas, MD
Application and Requirements
Application notifications will be sent by early March, followed by registration details. A limited number of seats are available. To be considered, you must be selected through the application process. Registration to participate costs $750, STS 2027 registration is required, and attendees are responsible for travel-related expenses, including airfare and housing. Continuing medical education credits will be available. Annual meeting pricing will be available closer to the date of the meeting. Make sure to register while early bird rates are available.
Scholarship Opportunity! Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) Alley-Sheridan Scholarship. There is an opportunity to be chosen for the TSF Alley-Sheridan Scholarship from those selected for the STS Leadership Institute. If chosen for the scholarship, this would cover the $750 registration cost and provide a stipend to defray the travel costs.
Required attendance at the following events:
Session 1: Individual Growth Virtual
Thursday, March 20, 2026, 7:00 pm ET – 9:00 pm ET
Session 2: Leading Others – Chicago, IL
Friday, April 24, 2026, 7:30 am CT – 3:00 pm CT (Welcome reception evening of April 23)
Session 3: Leading Every Day: Applying Skills and Networking – Virtual
Thursday, July 10, 2026, 7:00 pm ET – 9:00 pm ET
Session 4: Program Building – Virtual
Thursday, October 16, 2026, 7:00 pm ET – 9:00 pm ET
Capstone Session: STS 2027, San Diego, CA
Wednesday, January 27, 2027
Accreditation
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
These activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. The exact number of available credits will be provided closer to the event dates.