The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is excited to gather for its 62nd Annual Meeting Jan. 29 – Feb. 1 in New Orleans, which brings together cardiothoracic surgeons worldwide and features late-breaking scientific research, cutting-edge technologies, innovative cardiothoracic surgery products, dynamic and interactive training, and meaningful networking and mentorship opportunities.
“Our Annual Meeting is one of the most important things we do as a professional society,” said STS President Joseph Sabik, III, MD. “It is our moment each year to come together as colleagues, trainees, and partners to examine where our specialty is today and to shape where it will go tomorrow. That spirit inspired this year’s theme: Teaching for Tomorrow Together.”
Held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the meeting offers attendees — more than 2,000 professionals at all career stages— an unforgettable experience with plenary sessions, breakout presentations, and the exhibit hall all conveniently located. That makes it easy for attendees to navigate and connect with colleagues and industry leaders.
The first day of the Annual Meeting will again kick off with the Nina Starr Braunwald Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards Breakfast. Co-hosted by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery, this popular event honors women cardiothoracic surgeons who have distinguished themselves through excellence in clinical practice, groundbreaking contributions to the field, and outstanding leadership, mentorship, integrity, creativity, and expertise.
Celebrating Women CT Surgeons
The first day of the Annual Meeting will kick off with the third-annual Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards breakfast. The popular event, co-hosted by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery, will celebrate women cardiothoracic surgeons who have excelled in clinical practice, made significant contributions to the field, and demonstrated leadership, mentorship, integrity, creativity, and expertise. Nearly 400 attendees are expected to attend the event to honor the award recipients, pay tribute to women’s progress in the specialty, and network with colleagues.
STS 2026 Clinical Program Offerings
Adult Cardiac Surgery
The J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Paper will present a randomized comparison of coronary artery bypass grafting guided by CT-derived fractional flow reserve versus traditional angiography, offering insights into how advanced imaging may improve surgical decision-making. Adult cardiac sessions also will feature the Clark Paper, which examines the management of moderate aortic stenosis in patients undergoing bypass surgery.
Additional presentations will explore:
• Strategies for managing new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery
• The growing challenge of transcatheter aortic valve explantation
• The benefits of mitral valve repair over replacement in patients over age 65
• One-year results from endovascular repair of aortic arch lesions using a thoracic branched endoprosthesis, offering new data on its role relative to open surgery
• Whether prophylactic left atrial appendage occlusion reduces stroke risk in older patients without atrial fibrillation
General Thoracic Surgery
General Thoracic sessions will address critical issues in the management of esophageal and lung cancer patients. The Clark Paper will evaluate nodal upstaging rates and morbidity associated with the ACS Commission on Cancer Operative Standard 5.8, comparing it to other commonly used lymph node sampling guidelines using data from the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database. The Chamberlain Paper will explore the relationship between nodal assessment, pathological upstaging, and survival in patients with clinically node-negative non-small cell lung cancer undergoing resection—offering insights into the prognostic value of thorough lymph node evaluation.
Congenital Heart Surgery
Presentations will showcase cutting-edge research with thought-provoking abstracts that highlight new discoveries and innovative approaches in the field. The James S. Tweddell Memorial Paper for Congenital Heart Surgery will focus on the relationship between hospital volume and patient outcomes for Norwood procedures. Another session will explore the impact of specific factors associated with congenital heart surgery on patient mortality, demonstrating how using a large database helps identify potential predictors beyond traditional risk factors. Additional subjects to be discussed include navigating congenital heart disease in premature newborns, challenges in clinical studies, and an analysis of the Ross Procedure.
Perioperative and Critical Care
The J. Maxwell Chamberlain Paper will explore the impact of socioeconomic factors on the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) after heart transplantation in patients from disadvantaged backgrounds who face higher risks and poorer outcomes. Sessions also will include a presentation on a newly developed risk model for predicting 90-day mortality after durable left ventricular assist device (dLVAD) implantation — a model based on real-world data that can aid in patient selection and care improvement. Additional topics to be examined include structuring novel teams to improve cardiac emergency outcomes, controversies in anticoagulation and HIT after cardiac surgery, the changing landscape of heart and lung transplantation, and optimizing patient safety to enhance recovery after cardiac surgery.
Keynote Speakers
During STS 2025, attendees will hear from three trailblazing women who are making significant contributions in their respective fields and inspiring the next generation:
The Annual Meeting's first keynote speech will be presented by Jennifer Doudna, PhD, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist renowned for her pioneering work in gene editing. As a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, she co-discovered CRISPR-Cas9, a genome-editing technology that has revolutionized the fields of genetics and molecular biology. As the founder of the Innovative Genomics Institute, her research is advancing CRISPR technology and new applications for treating genetic diseases. In her keynote address, Dr. Doudna will share her journey from scientific discovery to global impact, discussing how innovation in science can shape the future of medicine.
Award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker Ami Vitale, a dedicated advocate for social responsibility, will deliver the Vivien Thomas Lecture. With a career spanning more than two decades, she has documented stories of inequality across the globe, traveling to more than 100 countries to witness disparities in healthcare, income, housing, and other essential aspects of life. Through her powerful storytelling, she aims to inspire action, spark meaningful conversations about caring for people and the planet — and ultimately drive change for a more equitable world. Attendees will gain unique insights into her life experiences and learn how authentic storytelling can serve as a powerful tool for positive impact.
The Presidential Address will be given by STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS. Dr. Romano will reflect upon her career journey, share personal anecdotes and milestones, and offer her thoughts on the future direction of the specialty and the Society.
Engaged Learning
STS 2025 will offer practical courses on various surgical procedures throughout the Annual Meeting, delivering an engaging and immersive learning experience for residents, early career surgeons, and any surgeons seeking to enhance their skills. The topics include aortic annular enlargement, TEVAR techniques for aneurysms and dissections, mitral valve repair, complex central airway reconstruction, and the Ross procedure. “This year, we’re offering five skill courses throughout the course of the three days,” said Dr. Fuller. “These courses are designed to complement the main meeting, providing opportunities for everyone to learn new skills or refine existing techniques.” Annual Meeting attendees can add one or more hands-on courses to their meeting registration for an additional fee.
President’s Reception
The Society will honor President Romano for her invaluable contributions to the organization as the first female president to hold the office. A special reception will be held at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, amidst a majestic backdrop of North American wildlife dioramas that adorn the hall. Space is limited for this event, so attendees are encouraged to add the reception to their cart during registration.
Advance Your Surgical Career in The Hub
This year’s Annual Meeting once again will feature a dedicated space for early career surgeons, medical students, residents, and fellowship trainees. Located across from the exhibit hall, The Hub will offer various professional and personal development opportunities, including roundtable discussions with senior surgeons, a trainee symposium, mock oral exams, a station to practice suture skills, networking with peers and mentors, and a session on financial management hosted by the White Coat Investor.
Tech, Demos, and Competition
This year’s STS Annual Meeting exhibit hall will showcase the cutting-edge tools and technologies shaping the future of surgical practice. Check out the live product demonstrations from more than 115 exhibitors. And don’t miss the CT Surgery Resident Showdown, where the North American and European champions will battle it out in a high-stakes knowledge competition.
Immerse yourself in a dynamic program featuring educational sessions, professional headshots, engaging activities, and more. Our onsite industry symposia during lunch and offsite sessions in the mornings and evenings offer invaluable opportunities to explore the latest techniques and interventions. Three exhibit hall theaters will showcase posters and interactive industry presentations.
For those who can’t travel to Los Angeles, Annual Meeting Online will give participants access to all session recordings within a few weeks of the conference.
Early registration guarantees a place—and the best choice of hotel rooms—at the world’s most highly anticipated cardiothoracic surgery event. STS Members enjoy significant discounts, and Resident/Fellow and Medical Student Members register for free. Register at sts.org/annualmeeting.