Newsroom | STS

STS News, the Society’s quarterly magazine for members only, brings you the latest CT surgery news, research, advocacy updates, surgeon stories, and more to help keep you in the know and connected to your peers. Read it today.

STS News Archives:

Top Story

New Study Identifies Early Signs of Valve Failure One Year After TAVI, Raising Durability Concerns in Younger Patients

A new study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, a journal from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, has identified early hemodynamic valve deterioration (HVD) in more than 6% of patients just one year after undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Read how this raises new questions about valve durability in younger, lower-risk populations.

Latest news

Podcast
#17, S2 The Future of Mesothelioma Treatment

The latest episode of Thinking Thoracic dives into one of the most challenging diseases in thoracic oncology—malignant pleural mesothelioma. Host Erin Gillaspie, MD, speaks with Joshua Reuss, MD, a thoracic medical oncologist and clinical trials leader, about how immunotherapy, evolving surgical strategies, and global practice patterns are reshaping care for this rare cancer.

40 min.

News
In Memoriam: John R. Benfield, MD

It is with sadness that the Society of Thoracic Surgeons shares the news of the passing of Dr. John Benfield, past president of STS (1995-1996), and a distinguished leader in our specialty.

Dr. Benfield was an accomplished thoracic surgeon, educator, and mentor whose contributions have left a lasting impact on cardiothoracic surgery worldwide.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in 1952 and his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 1955. He went on to hold senior leadership positions at several major academic institutions, including Professor of Surgery Emeritus at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

During his term as STS President, Dr. Benfield championed many initiatives that shaped the Society’s future, including:

Strengthening STS advocacy efforts in Washington
Expanding the STS National Database to improve quality and patient outcomes
Promoting ethics and professionalism in cardiothoracic surgery
Enhancing education and mentorship programs for the next generation of surgeons

Dr. Benfield is remembered not only for his professional achievements but also for his deep commitment to mentorship and education. He endowed The John and Joyce Benfield Lecture, an annual event at his alma mater, the University of Chicago. This lecture continues to inspire generations of surgeons to this day.

Please join us in remembering Dr. Benfield and honoring his remarkable life and contributions to STS and the specialty.

Nov 26, 2025

1 min read

Blog
How an Outside Perspective Shaped My Path to Thoracic Surgery

It was truly an immense honor to be selected as one of the Looking to the Future (LTTF) Scholars this past year. This experience reinforced my passion for pursuing thoracic surgery and solidified my decision to apply to general surgery residency this cycle.

Nov 26, 2025

4 min read

Shubham Gulati

Podcast
171; S5: Same Surgeon, Different Light w/ STS President Joseph Sabik, MD

In this special episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with STS President Dr. Joseph Sabik as he reflects on his early interest science, the mentors who shaped his career, and the pivotal role mentorship continues to play in his leadership within the Society.

36 minutes

Blog
Facing Your First Patient Death as an Attending Surgeon

The occupation we have chosen is the most fulfilling job in the world. Cardiothoracic surgery has been the only career I have pursued as an adult, but I know that even without a meaningful comparison, my bold claim is correct.

Nov 18, 2025

5 min read

Derek Serna-Gallegos, MD

Press Release from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Press Release
CMS Proposes Stable Medicare Rates for 2026; STS Urges Long-Term Reform

Update: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. STS has compiled a summary of the rule’s key provisions affecting cardiothoracic surgery.

Nov 4, 2025

Podcast
#16, S1 How the VERITAS Trial Has Transformed Lung Cancer Diagnosis

In this episode of Thinking Thoracic, host Dr. Erin Gillaspie talks with Dr. Robert Lentz and Dr. Fabien Maldonado about the groundbreaking VERITAS trial, which is reshaping how clinicians diagnose lung cancer. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the VERITAS trial compared navigational bronchoscopy with CT-guided biopsy in a rigorous, randomized design, bringing much-needed evidence to interventional pulmonology.

45 min.

Blog
Government Shutdown Puts Key Health Programs at Risk

The federal government is entering its third week of a shutdown, as Republicans and Democrats remain unable to reach an agreement to fund government operations for FY 2026.

Oct 14, 2025

2 min read

Rachel Pollock, STS Advocacy

Podcast
#15, S1 A Surgeon’s Worth: Negotiation and Money Management

The latest episode of Thinking Thoracic takes on a topic that’s often considered taboo: finances. Host Erin Gillaspie, MD, MPH, sits down with Lawrence Greiten, MD, and Josh Daily, MD, to discuss their recent paper examining financial decision-making in cardiothoracic surgery. From training pathways to compensation survey data, the conversation highlights how earnings and financial trade-offs shape career choices and negotiations. Tune in for practical insights every surgeon, especially those early in their careers, can use.

1 hr

Browse news by topic

Dr. Sharon Ben-Or and her surgical team.

Member News

Learn about member experiences from your specialty, and stories about the ever-evolving landscape of cardiothoracic surgery.

View >

Technology

Learn about science, technology, and date-driven tools made possible by the STS National Database.

View >

Advocacy

Learn about Leadership, Advocacy, and Regulatory Action; you and your colleagues are taking steps to drive change in healthcare institutions and on Capitol Hill.

View >

The STS Blog

From career advice to expert perspectives illuminating the latest findings in the media, STS authors share their insights and experience.

View Blogs

Press Releases

News and announcements for cardiothoracic surgery, the health care press, and the public.

View Press Releases

For Media Representatives

All media inquiries, including requests for interviews with leading experts in cardiothoracic surgery.

Learn more

Share your news and stories

STS wants to hear from its members and share their news and stories with others. Working on new research or an innovative initiative? Making an exciting career move? Receiving a promotion? Honored with an industry award? Send us an email at stsnews@sts.org.