Take Part in the 2018 TSF/STS Surgeon Match Challenge
For the third year in a row, STS has pledged to match surgeon contributions to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), which means your donation will have double the impact—up to $100,000! For example, if you donate $5,000, the Society will match the contribution and $10,000 would be available to fund cardiothoracic surgery research initiatives. In addition, STS supports TSF’s administrative expenses, assuring that every dollar you donate goes directly to support TSF-sponsored research programs, and all donations to TSF are tax deductible to the extent provided by the law. The 2018 Surgeon Match Challenge will end on December 31—so rise to the challenge and make your contribution today by visiting thoracicsurgeryfoundation.org/donate.
STS Heads to Milan for EACTS Meeting
The Society had an important presence at the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Annual Meeting in Milan, Italy, in October. Several surgeon leaders gave presentations during the meeting, and staff promoted the benefits of STS membership at a booth in the Exhibit Hall. STS President Keith S. Naunheim, MD met with colleagues from around the world, including newly elected EACTS President Ruggero De Paulis, MD (left).
Submit Your Proposal for STS Funding
The Society recently revised its spending policy formula, with a goal of making more money available for reinvestment in the specialty (see the Summer issue of STS News). As a result, more than $1.1 million will be available in 2019 for cardiothoracic surgery projects, programs, and affiliated organizations (apart from regular STS operations). STS members are invited to submit proposals for 2019 spending policy funding consideration by emailing a letter to STS Finance Committee Chair Mark S. Allen, MD via Keith Bura. Proposals should be no more than 900 words and include the amount of the request, a detailed description of how and when the funds would be used, and an explanation of how the proposed funding would constitute a reinvestment in the specialty. The deadline for submissions is November 15, 2018.
STS Leaders Join European and Chinese Colleagues at CSTCVS Meeting
Several STS surgeon leaders, including President Keith S. Naunheim, MD, Past President Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, Canadian Director Sean C. Grondin, MD, MPH, Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, PhD, and James S. Tweddell, MD, joined their counterparts from the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at the Chinese Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery’s Annual Meeting in Shenyang, China, this October. All presented during the meeting, and Drs. Naunheim and Bavaria gave keynote lectures on lung volume reduction and the STS/ACC TVT Registry, respectively. One of the Society’s strategic plan goals is to foster collaboration and connection worldwide. Participating in international cardiothoracic surgery meetings is an important part of this initiative.
Mathisen Delivers Keynote Address
STS Historian and Past President Douglas J. Mathisen, MD gave the prestigious Royal College Gallie Lecture at the Canadian Surgery Forum in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on September 15. The forum was organized by the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons and several other societies. His talk was titled “Surgeon Scientist in an Era of Declining Revenue, RVUs, and Work Hours.”
Society Co-Sponsors General Thoracic Conference in China
Several STS members joined colleagues from the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the Shanghai Medical Association at the “5th Oriental Congress of Thoracic Surgery” in Shanghai, China, in September. John D. Mitchell, MD (sixth from left), Ara A. Vaporciyan, MD (seventh from left), Valerie W. Rusch, MD (sixth from right), and STS Past President Douglas J. Mathisen, MD (fourth from right) represented the Society and gave presentations on topics such as the management of tracheal stenosis, neoadjuvant therapy for stage III cancer, and extended resection for thymic malignancy.
Sylvia M. Laudun, DNP, MBA, RN
won the best poster award.
View Photos from AQO 2018 and Purchase Online Meeting Access
More than 400 data managers and surgeons participating in the STS National Database recently gathered in Hollywood for Advances in Quality and Outcomes: A Data Managers Meeting, September 26-28. Speakers addressed all aspects of data collection, including the recently launched spec upgrade for the General Thoracic Surgery Database, the spec upgrade planned for the Congenital Heart Surgery Database, and hot topics related to the Adult Cardiac Surgery and Intermacs Databases. See more photos from the meeting at sts.org/2018AQOphotos.
If you or your data manager weren’t able to attend AQO, experience the exceptional content delivered during the meeting by purchasing AQO Online. This year’s online product features unlimited on-demand viewing and—new for 2018—the ability to earn CE or CEU credit. Visit sts.org/AQOOnline to place your order. Note: Meeting attendees will be given free online access to the sessions for which they were registered.
Complexities of CVT Critical Care Explored
The multifaceted nature of cardiovascular and thoracic critical care cases—including their unique physiology, array of procedures, and potential complications—was the focus of the 15th Annual Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular and Thoracic Critical Care Conference, held October 4-6 in Washington, DC. More than 200 cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, pulmonologists, and other medical professionals learned about new concepts, management protocols, and clinical experiences from a multidisciplinary faculty. In addition, STS Past President Richard L. Prager, MD delivered a special keynote address on “The End of Average.” View more photos at sts.org/2018criticalcarephotos.