Your Career Journey Continues

In the early stages of your CT surgery career, one of the most important things you can do is partner with an organization that will help you broaden your skills, connect with peers and mentors, and take care of your health and wellbeing. These are the fundamentals of career development that will help you  

  • land the job you want,
  • deliver the highest quality of patient care,
  • develop leadership skills and increase your visibility within your practice setting among your peers,
  • make smart, strategic career decisions, and
  • connect and network with other surgeons.  

STS has what it takes to be that partner. Here you’ll find extensive professional development programs offering a wide variety of learning opportunities - from finding your first job and receiving fellowship awards to leading in the OR and becoming a voice on Capitol Hill where together we advocate for quality improvement and patient safety.  

STS’s resources and activities are developed and designed by surgeons for surgeons. At STS, you can find the support you need to thrive starting today and continuing through your CT surgery career. 

Join STS as a Surgeon Member for career-enhancing resources, complimentary subscriptions to The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and other publications, advocacy efforts, discounts on the STS Annual Meeting, and more. If you're not already a member, apply today.

Education

STS offers a variety of high-quality, timely, and relevant opportunities for in-person and online learning. These include conferences, webinars, e-learning modules, and online courses. Some of these opportunities are available for free; others require purchase. STS members receive discounts on programs offered for purchase.  

Early Career Surgeons Webinar Series

Brought to you by the STS Workforce on Career Development, the quarterly STS Early Career Journey Webinar Series provides fundamental information for successful career development in an out of the operating room. Surgeons from academic, private practice and hospital settings share practical information and personal insights on a broad range of topics from how to negotiate a contract and manage one’s finances to coping with second victim syndrome and supporting one’s OR team. These learning opportunities will help early careerists land the job they want, deliver the highest quality patient care, develop leadership skills, make smart strategic career decision, and connect and network with other surgeons. 

View recordings of these past events:

Blogs and Publications

The Career Development Blog features posts written by early career STS members on topics relating to the specific career needs of surgeons in the first years of practice. Read selections from the blog and other STS publications for latest news, events, networking, and education opportunities for early careerists.

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leadership institute

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

On April 4, 2025, the STS Leadership Institute hosted a one-day session on “Leading Others” as part of its comprehensive program. This workshop focused on conflict management, leading diverse teams, and addressing both implicit and explicit biases. More than 30 early- and mid-career cardiothoracic surgeons attended, gaining valuable insights into these critical areas. 

Additionally, the session highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of wellness within medical teams. These leadership skills are vital for cardiothoracic surgeons in both academic and private practice settings, where strong leadership is key to achieving team success.

The STS Leadership Institute offers a comprehensive leadership program that includes five sessions—three virtual and two in-person—and aims to enhance participants' leadership skills in a constantly evolving healthcare landscape. Attendees benefit from numerous opportunities to engage with a distinguished faculty of expert leaders, receiving valuable insights and guidance throughout their development.

Interactive Discussions and Expert Insights on Leadership and Team Dynamics

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Leadership Institute
Dr. Meghan Halub (left) speaks with course co-director Dr. Ram Kumar Subramanyan (right) between presentations.

During “Leading Others,” participants heard from course directors Mara Antonoff, MD, and Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, who shared valuable insights on how personal growth contributes to effective team leadership. The sessions included interactive case scenarios and table discussions focused on evaluating others and managing conflict. Guest speaker Minerva Romera Arenas, MD, addressed the challenges of leading diverse teams and confronting implicit bias. Participants explored case examples to deepen their understanding and apply the concepts discussed.

"Today's sessions have been incredibly valuable, providing an opportunity to engage face-to-face in small discussion groups with peers from across the country," said participant Meghan Halub, MD. "I can see how the small table sessions will help me manage conflict and problem-solve challenging case scenarios as I transition from private practice to an academic medical center, while also preparing for the next step in my career."

Looking ahead, the Leadership Institute's virtual sessions will be held in July and October, culminating in the capstone event at STS 2026 in New Orleans next January.

Check out the event gallery

Coming soon: Follow the stories of our four Leadership Institute participants as they share their experiences with the program in a new blog series posted on STS.org.
 

Apr 8, 2025
2 min read
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leadership

Congratulations—you’ve landed the leadership role you’ve been working toward. After months (or years) of strategic effort, your appointment is finalized and the path forward begins. Whether you're stepping into a new position or pioneering an inaugural role, this change is as much about vision and preparation as it is about execution.

4 min read
Rian M. Hasson MD

Podcast Episodes

Interested in real talk on the origin stories of successful cardiothoracic surgeons and leaders?  Want to learn how to become more resilient? Follow STS's Same Surgeon, Different Light and The Resilient Surgeon podcast series to help you optimize your career journey and live well in and out of the OR.

Same Surgeon, Different Light

Same Surgeon, Different Light

Same Surgeon, Different Light demystifies CT surgery by revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. Hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira uncover the backstories of cardiothoracic surgeons from different backgrounds and career stages. It's a fascinating look at the powerful and personal stories about their career journeys.

See all episodes.

The Resilient Surgeon 2025

The Resilient Surgeon

Hosted by Dr. Michael Maddaus, the Resilient Surgeon offers captivating and sincere conversations with some of the most influential and insightful experts in personal wellness and organizational leadership. Find practical strategies and scientifically proven practices to help you perform at your very best in and out of the OR. 

See all episodes.

Mentorship

Designed for STS members at any career level, the Mentorship Program connects professionals seeking career advice and other guidance.

For Early Career Surgeons and Mid-late Career Surgeons
CT surgery trainees and early career surgeons can request mentorship from a more seasoned professional–as well as apply to mentor. Provide your contact information and notate your practice type and areas of interest (e.g., practice building, clinical research, contract negotiations) to assist in creating the best mentor/mentee match.
 

Find a mentor     Become a mentor 

Are you a medical student or CT surgery trainee looking for mentorship or are interested in becoming a mentor? Visit the Trainee Hub to learn more and register today!

Fellowships, Awards, and Scholarships

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), the charitable arm of STS, provides research awards and grants aimed at developing the skills of early career surgeons, both as surgeon-scientists and health policy leaders, as well as scholarships for trainees and early career surgeons to attend various STS in-person events. 

Thoracic Surgery Foundation

TSF/STS Douglas Mathisen Traveling Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery

Up to $20,000 to support the continuing education of early career general thoracic surgeons to travel domestically or internationally in order to learn a new technique, adapt new technology, and collaborate between investigators. 

Learn More

Thoracic Surgery Foundation

Robert L. Replogle Traveling Fellowship Award

Up to $10,000 for early career congenital heart surgeons committed to the treatment of congenital heart disease to travel to another institution for the purpose of learning a novel technique, adapting innovative technology, and/or fostering collaboration.

Learn More

Thoracic Surgery Foundation

Nina Starr Braunwald Research Award

Up to $85,000 per year for up to two years to support the work of an early-career woman cardiac surgeon (within five years of first faculty appointment).

Learn More

Ethics Forum Scholarships

The Cardiothoracic Ethics Forum, a joint STS and AATS project, offers scholarships in amounts up to $10,000 for cardiothoracic surgeons to obtain formal training in biomedical ethics.

Learn More

Advocacy Scholarships

These scholarships cover reasonable travel and meal expenses associated with attendance at an STS Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC.

Learn More

Health Policy Scholarship

STS and the American College of Surgeons offer an annual scholarship to subsidize attendance and participation in the Executive Leadership Program in Health Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Learn More

Social Media Outreach

Connect with the Workforce on Career Development members on X @TheHub_STS, and join quarterly XChats, during which Society leaders discuss early career issues in an open social media forum.  Check out this recap of the August XChat on The Pitfalls—What Not to Do Early in Your Career moderated by Dr. Joseph Phillips. Practicing cardiothoracic surgeons and residents share strategies they deployed (or should have deployed) to avoid common mistakes made early in a CT surgeon's career. 

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XChat on Avoiding Mistakes Early in Your Career

Videos

Watch videos for focused discussions on topics that range from clinical scenarios to lively debates and roundtable discussions.

Young Professors: Insights and Tips for Early and Mid-Career Faculty

A discussion: how to balance clinical work with the scholarly activities that are necessary for promotion in a modern academic medicine environment.

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 How Cardiothoracic Surgeons Are Reimbursed

8 in 8 Series: How Cardiothoracic Surgeons Are Reimbursed

 A look at the basics of surgeon salary and compensation, plus two types of reimbursement models.

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Finding Your First Job in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Finding Your First Job in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Tips on making a good impression during an interview, making sure that the job is a great fit, how to find the best career resources, and how to engage and maintain good mentors.

Watch the Video