Ready to level up your STS experience? The Hub is back for STS 2025. A fun and vibrant space, The Hub will be the center of activity for programs, sessions, networking, and mentoring specifically for cardiothoracic surgery trainees and early surgeons. Check out the following schedule of daily activities.
Friday, January 24 LTTF Medical Students Program 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. Small Theatre
Image
The Hub made its debut at STS 2024.
By invitation only for the 2025 Looking to the Future (LTTF) Scholars, this session offers LTTF medical student scholars the chance to hear from CT surgeons and residents about the cardiothoracic field, including insights into their application and residency experiences. Upon completion of the session, participants will gain a clear understanding of how to navigate the application process for thoracic residency programs and the various types of CT surgery residency programs available.
Learn more about the LTTF program and how you can become a LTTF Scholar.
Photo Station 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lounge Area
Update your professional headshot or have some fun with props at our selfie station. Be sure to share your pictures on social media!
STS Trainee Luncheon 11:15 a.m. - 1 p.m. Big Theatre
Leaders in CT surgery, including members of the STS Board of Directors, workforces, and task forces, will be seated with trainees to discuss topics of interest to residents. Discussion topics include subspecialty training, dedicated research time, interventional and catheter-based skills during training, gaps in diversity, training paradigms, the current job market, and addressing non-clinical training needs. Attendance is limited to trainees (residents, fellows, medical students, LTTF scholars) and invited faculty.
STS Trainee Symposium: Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Career 1 - 2:30 p.m. Big Theatre
Presented by the Workforce on Thoracic Surgery Resident Development, this essential session in The Hub will help residents and fellows learn how to find mentors, maintain professionalism, transition from resident to attending, interview for their first job, and manage student loans. Participants will gain the tools to secure mentorship for career transitions, maintain professionalism across settings, interview effectively, and manage student debt.
Heart Surgery 101: Concepts Your Faculty Wants You To Know 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Small Theatre
In this session, you will explore a range of essential topics including Imaging 101, where you'll learn to read echos and understand guided CTAs and PA numbers. The session will also cover the process of writing and publishing a paper, determining when to call the surgeon, and identifying post-residency career pathways with a focus on advanced fellowships. Additionally, there will be insights into perfecting your anastomoses, understanding PTTAVR and TEVAR, and opportunities to get involved in robotic cardiothoracic surgery.
Image
The Hub will be the center of activity at STS 2025.
Saturday, January 25 How Medical Providers Can Build Wealth, Pay Off Debt, and Reduce Burnout
9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Small Theatre
In this presentation, James M. Dahle, MD, FACEP, a practicing emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor, will offer valuable insights into financial wellness. He will share a basic framework and actionable strategies to help attendees understand the link between financial stress and burnout.
Dr. Dahle will also provide practical advice on how to protect your most valuable assets and safeguard your loved ones from financial catastrophe. Additionally, he will discuss effective ways to build a nest egg, lower taxes, make smart investments, and ultimately achieve financial independence.
Challenges and Success of Parental Policies for CT Trainees 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Small Theatre
This session will explore parental policies for cardiothoracic trainees, highlighting the difficulties of parenthood and family planning in this demanding field. It will provide insights into the experiences of partners of women cardiothoracic surgeons and feature a moderated panel discussion with program directors and trainees, offering a platform to discuss how to navigate the balance between career and family life in the specialty.
Winning Research: Presentations by TSF Awardees 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Small Theatre
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), STS's charitable arm, provides grants and scholarships that support research, skill development, and access to top mentors and cutting-edge technology. Join us for this session where recent awardees will present their research projects in 5–10-minute presentations, followed by a feedback session.
Early Career Roundtables 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Big Theatre
Image
Make a point to engage with new people at The Hub!
Engage in focused, topic-driven discussions with experienced, senior surgeons and expand your professional network while learning how to advance your career. You will have the opportunity to explore subjects such as making the most of the STS Annual Meeting, discovering fellowship and award opportunities, and understanding the pathway to involvement and leadership within STS. Additionally, you'll learn strategies for managing your time effectively, negotiating contracts, transitioning from your first job, and gaining valuable networking tips.
LTTF General Surgery Residents Program 3 - 4 p.m. Small Theatre
By invitation only for the 2025 Looking to the Future (LTTF) Scholars, this session offers an opportunity for Looking to the Future General Surgery Resident Scholars to hear from CT surgeons and residents about the future of cardiothoracic (CT) surgery, their residency experiences, and the job search process. Participants will gain insights into navigating the application process for thoracic residency programs, as well as a deeper understanding of the CT surgery field and the job search process.
Learn more about the LTTF program and how you can become an LTTF Scholar.
Fiscal Issues Surrounding Modern Healthcare 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Small Theatre
In this session, attendees will explore a variety of financial challenges facing contemporary healthcare, including the impact of government and private insurance, obstacles in academia and independent practice, the evolution since Medicare's introduction, and insights into future developments in the healthcare industry.
Sunday, January 26 Early Career Roundtables 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Big Theatre
Participate in targeted, focused discussions with experienced surgeons on topics like becoming an OR team leader, avoiding burnout, personal wellness, financial health, knowing when to say "yes" or "no," building successful systems, and achieving early clinical success while networking and advancing your career.
This program is designed to help reduce Board exam stress by helping trainees prepare for the oral exam format. It includes online modules and resources that cover effective test-taking strategies, the structure of an oral exam, and key dos and don’ts. These materials are provided 1-2 weeks before the live session.
The course also features a live, 1.5-hour virtual role-playing session, where trainees work with mock examiners who present case scenarios, ask questions, and offer personalized feedback. Participants also receive a recording of the session for review.
Limited spots are available, and priority will be given to cardiothoracic surgery residents who are registered for the Annual Meeting and scheduled to take the ABTS oral examination in June 2025.
Hone your suture skills at the Suture Table! STS is offering this opportunity in collaboration with the Thoracic Surgery Medical Students Association (TSMA).
Learn everything you need to know about board exams and your path to certification. Visit the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) info table where the ABTS team will answer your questions, provide valuable resources, and offer guidance on taking the board exams.
Join us for this new program designed to help trainees and early-career surgeons enhance their interview skills. Sign up for a 30-minute, one-on-one mock interview session, including 20 minutes of practice and 10 minutes of feedback. Participants can choose between an academic-focused or non-academic session. Once your slot is confirmed, you'll receive preparation instructions, including a short online course on "pitfalls to avoid during interviews" and a reminder to bring your most recent CV.
During the Saturday, Jan. 25 presentation of the James S. Tweddell Memorial Paper for Congenital Heart Surgery, Reilly Hobbs, MD, from the University of Utah Medical Center will explore the relationship between the volume of Norwood procedures performed at a center and patient outcomes based on findings from the National Pediatric Cardiology – Quality Improvement Collaborative Database study.
Image
Dr. Reilly Hobbs presented the Tweddell Memorial Paper on day two of STS 2025.
The Norwood procedure, a critical surgery for infants with single ventricle defects, has been extensively studied, but findings on how case volume affects outcomes have been inconsistent. This study examines data that clarifies the relationship between center case volume and survival and morbidity in patients undergoing this complex surgery.
In presenting the findings of the study, Congenital Heart Surgery, Volume-Outcome Relationship of Norwood Procedures: Insights from the National Pediatric Cardiology – Quality Improvement Collaborative Database, Dr. Hobbs will explain how centers were grouped based on their annual case volume—low, medium, and high—and how preoperative risk factors, complications, and survival outcomes were compared. He will also highlight how patients at high-volume centers had better outcomes than those at low-volume centers, including higher survival rates and lower mortality, particularly among patients with additional high-risk features.
“The findings indicate that the number of Norwood procedures performed at a center significantly impacts patient outcomes with high-volume centers consistently achieving better results than low-volume centers,” says Dr. Hobbs. “It’s essential to emphasize the role of case volume in complex congenital heart surgeries and explore the potential benefits of directing high-risk patients to more experienced centers. Further research is needed to identify the key factors that contribute to improved outcomes at high-volume centers, ultimately enhancing care for single ventricle patients.”
In a landmark achievement for healthcare in Southeast Asia, St. Luke's Medical Center has launched the region's first robotic cardiac surgery program. This historic initiative was made possible through a collaborative effort between St. Luke's multidisciplinary team, led by Drs. Marvin Martinez and Ramiro Pablo, and the expert team from West Virginia University's (WVU) Heart and Vascular Institute, including Dr. Vinay Badhwar, Dr. Lawrence Wei, and physician assistant Herald Fe.
The program debuted with a series of innovative robotic-assisted cardiac procedures, showcasing the transformative potential of this advanced technology. Among the groundbreaking surgeries performed were:
Robotic MIDCAB (Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass)
Robotic bileaflet mitral valve repair for severe mitral regurgitation (MR) due to bileaflet myxomatous disease
Robotic mitral valve repair for endocarditis, including anterior mitral leaflet perforation
Robotic adult congenital atrial septal reconstruction using a bovine patch for a patient with a common atrium
Robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) for a patient from Papua New Guinea
The first robotic valve surgery—a repair of a severely regurgitant mitral valve in a 40-year-old patient—marked a defining moment in the program's success. With guidance from WVU's Heart and Vascular Institute, the procedure was completed with precision and excellence, underscoring the collaboration's impact.
Dr. Pablo expressed his excitement, saying, "This is a monumental step forward for cardiac care in Southeast Asia. Our partnership with the WVU team has empowered us to provide patients with less invasive, highly precise procedures and faster recoveries."
Dr. Martinez added, "Establishing this robotic cardiac surgery program has been a dream realized through our team's dedication and the invaluable expertise of our WVU partners. This is just the beginning of a new era in cardiac care."
Reflecting on the collaboration, Dr. Badhwar remarked, "Teamwork truly makes the dream work. The exceptional multidisciplinary team at St. Luke's has shown that vision, determination, and collaboration can achieve extraordinary outcomes."
St. Luke's Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program is set to advance care across the region, offering minimally invasive options that reduce pain, recovery time, and the risk of complications.
In December, lawmakers passed a short-term funding bill to keep the government running through March 14, 2025. However, last-minute chaos drastically reduced the size and scope of the year-end package, which resulted in many critical healthcare priorities being left out.
Host Dr. Michael Maddaus talks with Jonathan Clark, leadership scholar at UTSA and co-author of Leading Through: Activating the Soul, Heart, and Mindof Leadership, about prioritizing people, purpose and real productivity to transform an organization. Hear compelling stories that show how "the legacy model of leadership can be destructive," resulting in what he calls "organizational darkness." Learn about a positive model focused on caring for people and helping them thrive.
In this episode, Dr. Hari Keshava talks with Dr. Sid Murthy, section head, thoracic surgery at Cleveland Clinic, about thoracic surgical emergencies related to pulmonary and lung surgeries...and how optimal management of these situations often requires surgeons to anticipate, collaborate and be prepared with a well-thought-out action plan. Listen today.
The rapid advancement of robotic technology has revolutionized the field of thoracic surgery. At the same time, the technological leap has highlighted a pressing need to bridge the educational gap in the training of thoracic surgery trainees. To address this issue, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons has developed an expert consensus document outlining a framework for a standardized national robotic curriculum.
A recent paper published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, authored by the Task Force on Robotic Thoracic Surgery and the Workforce on E-learning and Educational Innovation, has provided expert consensus statements for thoracic surgery training programs. This paper was created following an extensive literature review and expert consensus achieved through a modified Delphi process. It outlines expectations for programs, essential training components, as well as assessment and feedback methods.
Program Expectations
Standardization: The consensus document advocates for standardized robotic thoracic curricula across all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs.
Dual Console Training: Trainees should have ample opportunity to practice on dual consoles during most cases to actively participate in the surgical process.
Bedside Assistance: The presence of a trained bedside assistant during teaching cases is strongly recommended.
Components of Training
Theoretical & Practical: The curriculum must integrate theoretical and practical learning.
Pre-Console Training: Online modules on robotic components and hands-on training are mandatory before console surgery.
VR Simulation: Proficiency in digital/virtual reality simulation modules is a prerequisite for console surgery.
Wet Lab Training: Mandatory participation in at least one wet lab per year.
Emergency Conversion: Mandatory to perform with the trainees or OR team at least once a year.
Assessment and Feedback
Skill Assessment: Utilize objective tools like Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills to assess technical competency.
EPA Development: Develop Entrusted Professional Activity for pulmonary resection.
Performance Review: Regular video review and analysis of robotic performances provide valuable feedback.
By implementing the recommendations outlined in this expert consensus document, thoracic surgery training programs can ensure that trainees are well-prepared to perform complex robotic procedures and contribute to the advancement of thoracic surgery.
"Robotic surgery is rapidly evolving, and it's crucial that our training programs keep pace,” said Samuel Kim, MD, Northwestern Medicine, who chaired the task force that produced the document. "To ensure a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern thoracic surgery, we must prioritize a standardized curriculum that enhances resident education and bridges any existing educational disparities across training programs. By fostering a comprehensive learning environment that emphasizes both refined technical skills and sound clinical judgment, we can effectively train the next generation of surgical leaders."
STS is proud to share key advocacy achievements from 2024 that have advanced the field of cardiothoracic surgery and improved patient care. These successes reflect the dedication and collaboration of our members, leaders, and staff in influencing critical policy decisions and advocating for the profession.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a new policy impacting the coding and reimbursements for 90-day surgical global periods. This change may impact reimbursement so surgeons and their staff should learn about the details of this policy going into effect on January 1, 2025.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Albert Starr, a pioneer in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, who passed away on Dec. 12, 2024, at age 98. Dr. Starr served as the 21st president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons from 1985 to 1986, leaving an enduring impact on the specialty and the Society.
Image
Dr. Starr received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1954. After an internship at Johns Hopkins, he completed his general and thoracic surgical residencies at Bellevue and Presbyterian Hospitals in New York City. He was recruited to Oregon in 1957 to head a new heart surgery program at the University of Oregon Medical School, now the Oregon Health & Science University Heart Institute.
His drive for innovation led him to collaborate with engineer Lowell Edwards, which resulted in the development of the Starr-Edwards heart valve—one of the first successful artificial heart valves used in humans. The Starr-Edwards valve revolutionized the treatment of valvular heart disease and is considered one of the most significant advances in cardiac surgery in the 20th century.
Throughout his career, Dr. Starr remained a tireless advocate for the improvement of heart valve surgery. His pioneering work not only advanced surgical techniques but also laid the groundwork for the development of future generations of heart valves. His leadership in cardiothoracic surgery, both in the operating room and in the broader medical community, earned him recognition as a visionary in the field.
Dr. Starr’s tenure as president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons was marked by his passion for fostering education, research, and collaboration within the Society. He was instrumental in advancing the Society’s mission of improving patient care through the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of cutting-edge surgical practices.
“The positive forces of technological innovation, entrepreneurial activity, and capital availability will ensure a future of opportunity and growth,” Dr. Starr said in his 1986 presidential address. “The thoracic surgical industry will continue to be a source of great excitement to us and of benefit to our patients.”
Dr. Starr was the 2007 co-recipient of the prestigious Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research with Alain Carpentier in recognition of their development of prosthetic mitral and aortic valves, which have prolonged and enhanced the lives of millions of people with heart disease.
Beyond his clinical and academic contributions, Dr. Starr was a beloved mentor, guiding countless residents, international fellows and surgeons who would go on to achieve their own successes. His kindness, wisdom, and dedication to improving patient outcomes will continue to inspire those in the field for generations to come.
His legacy in the field of thoracic surgery is immeasurable, and his memory will continue to shape the future of our profession.
Access to early cancer detection is crucial for saving lives. Unfortunately, many Americans living in rural or underserved areas struggle to access screenings.
The STS Annual Meeting is only a few short weeks away. Currently, we are preparing to gather for the 61st Annual Meeting of our Society, with the first being held in January of 1965 in St. Louis.
