There’s a special kind of energy that fills the air each year when cardiothoracic surgeons from around the world gather for the STS Annual Meeting — a mix of reunion, inspiration, and a shared commitment to the future of the specialty. As STS 2026 approaches, a few surgeons reflected on what first drew them to the meeting and what keeps them coming back, year after year.
First Impressions That Last
For many, the first STS Annual Meeting remains a defining professional memory — a moment when the names in textbooks became colleagues walking down the same hallway.
“I remember being in awe at my first STS, seeing so many of the surgeons I had read about just walking around the meeting,” recalled Dr. Derek Serna-Gallagos, who st
ill finds that same sense of inspiration each year.
Dr. Jessica Rove’s first meeting took place in San Diego back in 2011, after receiving a Looking to the Future (LTTF) Award. “I remember talking with Dr. David Fullerton as we rode the bus over the Coronado Bridge,” she said. “I was in awe. In particular, I remember what a gentleman Dr. Alec Patterson was — so down to earth despite being a titan in my eyes.”
For Dr. J. Trent Magruder, that first San Diego meeting sparked a lifelong connection to the STS community. “The atmosphere was so exciting and collegial,” he said. “The science was great, but so was the fellowship. It absolutely got me hooked on coming to every meeting I can make.”
A Celebration of the CT Community
That camaraderie remains at the core of the Annual Meeting — something each surgeon says they look forward to each year.
“For the last few years, I’ve served as a mentor to medical students and trainees through the LTTF program,” said Dr. Serna-Gallagos. “I’m always excited to meet and get to know the medical students and trainees who will become our colleagues in the future.”
Dr. Joseph Phillips echoed that sentiment, “I always look forward to reconnecting with friends I’ve met throughout the different stages of my career.”
For Dr. Rove, the meeting is also a moment to reflect on how the profession continues to evolve — not just scientifically, but personally. “I always enjoy participating in discussions about how best to move our practice and patient care forward,” she said. “Recently there’s also been important programming addressing how we best take care of each other as a CT community. It’s an exciting time.”
Dr. Elisabeth Dexter agreed, noting how meaningful it is to see progress and inclusion take root within the field. “The students and residents are so motivated and enthusiastic about our specialty. It’s invigorating,” she said. “And there are so many more women in the specialty now. It’s good to see how supported and supportive the women in our specialty are these days.”
The Hub: A Home Base for Inspiration
If there’s one spot that best captures the collaborative spirit of the Annual Meeting, it’s The Hub. This central space has quickly become a gathering point for attendees to form lifelong connections.
“I wish we had The Hub when I was training,” said Dr. Dexter. “It confirms for the students and trainees that we know they are the important resource for our specialty’s future. We want to foster their interest in cardiothoracic surgery — and The Hub gives them their own space to network with each other and interact with surgeons from across the country and around the world.”
Dr. Rove added that The Hub also stands out for its openness and authenticity. “The Hub has programming that addresses a lot of what you are dying to know but sometimes afraid to ask,” she said. “It’s amazing to hear the breadth of life experience and lessons surgeons share there. It’s a place to feel welcomed and ask questions.”
Competition, Rivalry, and a Little Friendly Fire
One of the liveliest events each year — the CT Surgery Resident Showdown — captures the field’s competitive spirit with a healthy dose of humor.
“The resident competition is a huge highlight because we can all remember being pointedly asked the same questions back in the day,” said Dr. Magruder. “It’s a totally relatable moment.”
“What? Surgeons are competitive?” joked Dr. Rove, while Dr. Dexter added, “We’re surgeons — competitive by nature. I think we all secretly try to answer the questions ourselves and see how many we’d get right!”
Tradition Meets Tomorrow
The President’s Address and the President’s Reception remain cornerstones of the meeting — both offering the chance for reflection and celebration.
“I really appreciate this year’s theme of “Teaching for Tomorrow” and Dr. Joseph Sabik’s leadership — the best and most important function of the STS is to get surgeons together, interacting and sharing to help each other,” said Dr. Magruder.
“The President’s Address is a great time to see where the organization will be headed in the future,” said Dr. Serna-Gallagos. “Each president adds their own personal touch to the present and future of the organization, and their address is the culmination of all their hard work.”
For Dr. Rove, it’s also a time to “celebrate colleagues and friends,” while Dr. Magruder enjoys the opportunity to “meet surgeons from all around the world in different roles and practices — the atmosphere is always lively.”
Dr. Dexter appreciates the personal side of the gathering: “It’s wonderful to meet up with surgeons I’ve lost touch with and hear how life outside of medicine is going — kids, family, hobbies, books they’re reading.”
A Meeting That Keeps Us Coming Back
From impactful first impressions to lifelong friendships, the STS Annual Meeting continues to be a touchstone for the cardiothoracic surgery community — a place where every conversation has the potential to spark collaboration and innovation.
In 2026, as the meeting returns to the vibrant city of New Orleans, that spirit will once again come alive — paying tribute to where the specialty has been, and where it’s going next.