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.
The next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons took a major step forward in their training during the 2025 STS Boot Camp, held August 21–24 in Chicago. Over four days, 60 junior residents from across the country received intensive, hands-on guidance from leading CT surgeons. Attendees engaged in high-fidelity simulations of real-world and emergency scenarios, gaining valuable experience in a structured instructional framework.
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Participants practiced core critical thinking skills in a focused setting.
“This year’s Boot Camp offered first-year residents a unique chance to practice fundamental cardiothoracic skills in a low stress setting,” said program co-chair Jonathan Nesbitt, MD, of Vanderbilt University. “Personalized instruction from experienced faculty, combined with realistic scenarios, helped participants build both competence and confidence in a focused environment.”
The curriculum included training in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques, vessel anastomosis, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies, open and robotic lobectomy, TAVR/TEVAR, and wire skills. Participants also received instruction on mitral and aortic valve surgery, echocardiography, communication in the operating room, and the role of surgical ablation.
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First-year CT surgery residents simulated real-world and emergency scenarios.
For many participants, the Boot Camp also sparked inspiration and enthusiasm about their path ahead. "I'm truly excited about building a foundation at the beginning of my fellowship and what the future holds for me," said Boot Camp participant Weston Andrews, MD, a cardiothoracic fellow at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
“We designed this program to strengthen technical skills while also fostering reflection, discussion, and connection,” said Dr. Nesbitt. “From complex procedures to feedback in the OR, this experience supports a smooth, engaged transition into surgical training—with mentorship every step of the way.”
Don’t miss the latest Thinking Thoracic episode as host Erin Gillaspie, MD, is joined by Stephanie Worrell, MD, associate professor, University of Arizona, and thoracic surgeon, Banner Health, for a lively and insightful post-ASCO discussion. Together, they unpack the significance of the CheckMate 577 and Matterhorn trials, and explore what these groundbreaking studies mean for the future of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer care.
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.
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.
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Jad Elharake, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
In the latest episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, host Dr. Sara Pereira welcomes three recent “You Belong” Scholarship recipients — medical student Manuel De La Garza, Dr. Sanjhai Ramdeen, and Dr. Humberto Rodriguez-Quintero — to discuss the career paths they are forging as future leaders in medicine.
