Click each day below to view the detailed agenda and faculty listing. All times Central.
Course Description
The 2026 Advances in Quality & Outcomes (AQO): A Data Managers Meeting features sessions for all four components of the STS National Database. This year’s meeting will be virtual on Thursday, September 24, 2026, and in New Orleans, LA, from Wednesday, September 30 – Friday, October 2, 2026. Data managers and surgeon leaders will come together to share valuable research and best practices with the goal of improving data collection and patient outcomes.
This meeting includes a virtual forum for Intermacs/Pedimacs attendees. Also, live sessions in New Orleans, LA, for Adult Cardiac, Congenital Heart, and General Thoracic attendees. The program will have sessions at scheduled times and recorded programs that you can watch at your convenience.
Speakers will offer the latest information about the Database, including version upgrades and new features, as well as provide timely tips on improving data collection and abstraction. Plus, you can review e-posters, take part in a special networking event, and meet with industry representatives in the exhibit hall.
This program will focus on the Intermacs Database and its Pedimacs component, reflecting changes in the scope of mechanical circulatory support device implants and patient management. Sessions are designed to help participants improve data collection and advance their registry coding skills, using a case-based learning format. This will be a virtual forum with the opportunity to interact with speakers and get your questions answered.
Moderators: Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN, and Patricia Potter, BSN, RN
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9 – 9:15 a.m. | Networking Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN, and Patricia Potter, BSN, RN |
| 9:15 – 10 a.m. | Intermacs/Pedimacs New Data Managers 2.0 Rebecca S. Harap, BSN, RN-BC, and Tausha Vaseliades-Sidbury, BSN, RN |
| 10 – 10:05 a.m. | Welcome Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN, and Patricia Potter, BSN, RN |
| 10:05 – 10:35 a.m. | 90-Day Risk Model Updates Ezequiel Molina, MD |
| 10:35 – 11:05 a.m. | Emerging Research; Durable LVAD vs. Heart Transplantation Ezequiel Molina, MD |
| 11:05 – 11:55 a.m. | How to Get the Most Out of the Dashboard – Live! Brandon A. Singletary, PhD, MPH |
| 11:55 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch Break |
| 12:30 – 12:35 p.m. | Presentation – Sherri Ann Wissman Memorial Excellence Award Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN, and Patricia Potter, BSN, RN |
| 12:35 – 1:05 p.m. | Advances in Pediatric Mechanical Circulatory Support David Peng, MD |
| 1:05 – 1:35 p.m. | New Platform Demonstration Rama Rudaraju, PhD |
| 1:35 – 1:55 p.m. | New Adverse Events Definitions Daniel Goldstein, MD |
| 1:55 – 2:25 p.m. | New Adverse Events Forms Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN, and Patricia Potter, BSN, RN |
| 2:25 – 2:50 p.m. | Break |
| 2:50 – 3:20 p.m. | Help! I’ve Been Selected for the Audit: What Do I Do? Kerry Schindler, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNE |
| 3:20 – 3:45 p.m. | How to Use Your Intermacs Data for Quality Improvement Rebecca S. Harap, BSN, RN-BC Sheena Lamon, BSN, RN, and Sylvia M. Laudun, DNP, MBA, RN |
| 3:45 – 4:10 p.m. | Live Data Download Devin Koehl, MS |
| 4:10 – 4:40 p.m. | The Aires Trial and Current Antithrombotic Strategies in Mechanical Circulatory Support Palek Shah, MD |
| 4:40 – 5:10 p.m. | Inquiring Minds Want to Know: FAQ Case Scenarios Tausha Vaseliades-Sidbury, BSN, RN |
| 5:10 p.m. | Session Adjourns |
On-Demand Content
Durable and Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support Device Updates
Manreet Kanwar, MD
What’s New with Intermacs and Pedimacs
Francis Pagani, MD
Quality of Life Surverys
Sheena Lamon, BSN,RN, and Tausha Vaseliades-Sidbury, BSN, RN
This program will focus on the GTSD, helping participants to improve data collection and advance registry coding skills. Sessions will use a case-based learning format.
Moderators: Carole Krohn, MPH, BSN, RN, LSSBG, Leigh Ann Jones, and Ruth Raleigh, BSN, RN
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 – 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 – 8:05 a.m. | Welcome Carole Krohn, MPH, BSN, RN, LSSBGLeigh Ann Jones, and Ruth Raleigh, BSN, RN |
| 8:05 – 8:25 a.m. | Overview of the General Thoracic Surgery Database Christopher W. Seder, MD |
| 8:25 – 8:45 a.m. | CT Chest Scan: Pushing Data Managers over the Tipping Point Jeffrey Velotta, MD |
| 8:45 – 9:10 a.m. | CT Chest Scan: Case Scenarios Ann Herold, RN |
| 9:10 – 10 a.m. | Using your STS Data for Internal Reporting, Dashboards etc. Mary Elise Hollenbeck, BSN, RN, and Heather Brown, BSN, RN, CFRN |
| 10 – 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30– 10:55 a.m. | Lung Cancer: Back to Basics David D. Shersher, MD |
| 10:55 – 11:15 a.m. | Lung Cancer: Case Scenarios Erin McCabe, BSN, RN |
| 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. | Clinical Staging Gillian Alex, MD |
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. | Clinical Staging: Case Scenarios Kellie Knabe, MSN, RN, CCRN |
| 12:10 – 1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1 – 1:35 p.m. | Molecular Testing and Beyond Gavitt A. Woodard, MD, FACS |
| 1:35 – 2 p.m. | Molecular Testing and Beyond: Case Scenarios Ruth Raleigh, BSN, RN |
| 2 – 2:20 p.m. | Esophageal Cancer: Back to Basics Andrew Feczko, MD, MA |
| 2:20 – 2:40 p.m. | Esophageal Cancer: Case Scenarios Sue Schneeberger |
| 2:40 p.m. – 3 p.m. | TBD Quality Improvement or Scientific Abstract TBD Speaker |
| 3 – 3:30 p.m. | Break |
| 3:30 – 4:10 p.m. | Understanding Path Reports Katie Lothrop |
| 4:10 – 5 p.m. | Complex Case Scenarios Whitney Weimer, RN |
| 5 p.m. | Session Adjourns & Networking Reception |
On-Demand Content
Thymus Resection
TBD Speaker
Tracheal Resection
TBD Speaker
Paraesophageal Hernia
TBD Speaker
Pulmonary Function Tests
TBD Speaker
Audit Review – TNM Staging and Where We Can Make Improvements
William Burfeind Jr., MD
This program will focus on the CHSD, helping participants improve data collection and advance registry abstraction and coding skills. The sessions will use a case-based learning format.
Moderators: Leigh Ann Jones, Leslie L. Wacker, and Chasity Wellnitz, MPH, BSN, RN
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 – 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 – 8:05 a.m. | Welcome Leigh Ann Jones, Leslie L. Wacker, and Chasity Wellnitz, MPH, BSN, RN |
| 8:05 – 8:30 a.m. | CHSD State of the Union James E. O’Brien, MD |
| 8:30 – 9:25 a.m. | Education Corner Leslie L. Wacker, BS, and Chasity Wellnitz, MPH, BSN, RN |
| 9:25 – 10 a.m. | What I Wish I Knew and Implementing What I’ve Learned Kate Barz, MSN, RN, CCRN |
| 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:10 a.m. | Tools for Data Abstraction, Visualization, and Team Engagement Ruth E. Lemus, BSN, RN, and Brooke Spears, MPH, RN, CPH |
| 11:10 – 11:35 a.m. | Lesion Talk: Non-Complete Atrioventricular Canal Defects Subhadra Shashidharan, MBBS |
| 11:35 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Lesion Talk: Case Scenario Rebecca Sam, MSN, RN, CPN, CCRN-K |
| 12 – 1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1 – 1:50 p.m. | Overlapping Episodes of Care: A Complex Case Scenario Leslie L. Wacker, and Chasity Wellnitz, MPH, BSN, RN |
| 1:50 – 2:20 p.m. | Longitudinal Data Capture James E. O’Brien, MD |
| 2:20 – 2:45 p.m. | Single Ventricles: Oh My! David Overman, MD |
| 2:45 – 3 p.m. | Single Ventricles: Case Scenario TBD Speaker |
| 3 – 3:30 p.m. | Break |
| 3:30 – 4 p.m. | STS Data: Beyond the Feedback Report Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, PhD |
| 4 – 4:30 p.m. | To Code or Not to Code: Preoperative Factors Christopher Mascio, MD, and Robin Keyser, RN |
| 4:30 – 5 p.m. | TBD Quality Improvement or Scientific Abstract TBD Speaker |
| 5 p.m. | Session Adjourns & Networking Reception |
On-Demand Content
CHSD Anesthesia
Faith E. Ross, MD
CHSD Audit
Christopher Mascio, MD
Partial Heart Transplants
Andrew Goldstone, MD, PhD, Angela Ebel, MSN, RN, and Erin Driscoll, MSN, RN
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 – 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 – 10:25 a.m. | Breakout Discussion Groups *This content will not be recorded and is for in-person attendees only. There will be topics to choose from, and we will rotate three times. Each breakout discussion will be for 45 minutes with 5 minutes to rotate between rooms. Attendees will note their top three topics prior to the conference and will be provided with which location to start when they check in at registration. Internal Reporting Strategies/QI Initiatives Effective Time Management Submitting Minor Data Requests Preparing for Audit CHSD Chat about Future Variables Onboarding New Data Managers GTSD General Discussion |
| 10:25 – 11 a.m. | Breakout Discussion Reporting Chasity Wellnitz, MPH, BSN, RN, Katie Lothrop, Leslie L. Wacker, and Brooke Spears, MPH, RN, CPH |
| 11 a.m. | CHSD & GTSD Session Adjourns |
This program will focus on the ACSD, offering updates on the scope of cardiothoracic surgery practice and helping participants improve data collection and advance registry abstraction and coding skills.
Moderators: Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN, and Melinda Offer, MSN, RN
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 – 8 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8 – 8:10 a.m. | Welcome Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN, and Melinda Offer, MSN, RN |
| 8:10 – 8:55 a.m. | What’s New with the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database? Michael E. Bowdish, MD, MS |
| 8:55 – 9:35 a.m. | Understanding Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Procedures Dawn Hui, MD |
| 9:35 – 10 a.m. | Understanding Surgical Atrial Fibrillation Procedures: Case Scenarios Sherry Binder, BSN, RN |
| 10 – 10:30 a.m. | Break |
| 10:30 – 11:25 a.m. | Advanced Aorta Procedures Joshua Grimm, MD |
| 11:25 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Advanced Aorta Procedures: Case Scenarios Kristi Campbell, RN |
| 12 – 1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1 – 1:30 p.m. | Getting a Grip on CABG Grafting Asvin Ganapathi, MD |
| 1:30 – 1:55 p.m. | Getting a Grip on CABG Grafting: Case Scenarios Judy G. Smith, BSN, RN |
| 1:55 – 2:25 p.m. | The STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database Audit: A Personal Experience Bonnie Sutton |
| 2:25 – 3 p.m. | Painting the Picture: How to Share Your STS Data with Stakeholders Sylvia M. Laudun, DNP, MBA, RN, and Nancy L. Satou, RN |
| 3 – 3:30 p.m. | Break |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Preoperative Risk Factors Boot Camp Kali Carroll, RN and Melinda Offer, MSN, RN |
| 4:30 – 5 p.m. | A Conversation with STS Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, PhD, Michael E. Bowdish, MD, MS Dawn Hui, MD, Carole Krohn, MPH, BSN, RN, LSSBG, and Nancy Honeycutt, BSN, RN |
| 5 p.m. | Session Adjourns |
On-Demand Content
A Deep Dive into ECHO Reports
Kali Carroll, RN
Understanding IQVIA Reporting
Carole Krohn, MPH, BSN, RN, LSSBG
Chronic Lung Disease Made Easy
Kim Meraglio
Robotics in Cardiac Surgery
Yoshi Kaneko, MD
Attention EPIC Users: Tips and Tricks for Efficient Abstraction
Kali Carroll, RN
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 – 8 a.m. | Breakout Discussion Groups *This content will not be recorded and is for in-person attendees only. There will be topics to choose from, and we will rotate three times. Each breakout discussion will be for 45 minutes with 5 minutes to rotate between rooms. Attendees will note their top three topics prior to the conference and will be provided with which location to start at when they check in at registration. Preparing for Audit Tips and Tricks for Data Cleanup Navigating Publicly Reported Data The Inside Scoop for New Data Managers Challenges of the Aorta Section: Let’s Talk |
| 10:25 – 11 a.m. | Breakout Discussion Reporting Bonnie Sutton, Heather Homampour, MSN, RN, Nancy L, Satou, RN, Carley Hanmer, AAS, Alla Kaner, MSN, RN, and Judy G. Smith, BSN |
| 11 a.m. | ACSD Session Adjourns |
President’s Remarks
Vinay Badhwar, MD
Risk Adjustment Complexity and Its Impact on Quality Reports
Sylvia M. Laudun, DNP, MBA, RN
Using AI for Quality
Kevin W. Lobdell, MD
Questions?
- Chris Bukowski, Meeting Coordinator, meetings@sts.org
- Emily Conrad, STS National Database Education Manager, econrad@sts.org
Program may be subject to change
