This page, developed with assistance from members of the STS Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion, highlights some of the important Society activities and materials related to diversity, inclusion, and equity in cardiothoracic surgery. It also includes career resources on these topics from outside sources.
STS Materials
- Beyond the Abstract: Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarship—Impact on Career Path and Interest in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Podcast episode featuring Lauren C. Kane, MD and Leah M. Backhus, MD, MPH - July 20, 2021)
- Examining Gender Differences in CT Surgery: Is ‘Good Money’ the Same as ‘Fair Money’? (Perspective from HelenMari Merritt-Genore, DO - November 2, 2020)
- The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Perspective from Luis A. Godoy, MD - July 2, 2020)
- STS Condemns Racism, Racial Inequities in Health Care (Statement - June 1, 2020)
- The Saga of Vivien Thomas: Discrimination, Segregation, and Bias (2020 Vivien T. Thomas Lecture by Clyde W. Yancy, MD - January 26, 2020)
- No Such Thing as an Innocent Bystander (Perspective from David T. Cooke, MD - August 24, 2019)
- Clinical Care Modules - Cultural Competencies (Instructors include: Mara B. Antonoff, MD, David T. Cooke, MD, Melanie A. Edwards, MD, Subroto Paul, MD, MPH)
- (Note: E-Learning Module - $50 for STS Members / $75 for Non-Members)
"Same Surgeon, Different Light" Podcast Series
“Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a new program from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks. Hosts David Tom Cooke, MD, and Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS, will uncover the obstacles, triumphs, tradeoffs, and pivotal moments that have shaped their guests’ careers and personal missions. Episodes will feature the backstories of cardiothoracic surgeons from different backgrounds and in various career stages. These leaders and rising stars offer powerful, candid stories that are funny and fascinating, as well as heartbreaking and inspiring. Listen now!
SEASON 3
- Mark Orringer, MD (1/16/2023)
- Daniela Molena, MD (2/3/2023)
SEASON 2
- Ed Chen, MD (4/28/2022)
- Cherie Erkmen, MD (4/14/2022)
- Allan Pickens, MD (3/31/2022)
- Sharon Ben-Or, MD (3/18/2022)
- Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS (3/4/2022)
- Raja Flores, MD (2/18/2022)
- Gail Darling, MD (2/4/2022)
- Jacques Kpodonu, MD (1/21/2022)
- Susan D. Moffatt-Bruce, MD (1/7/2022)
- Joseph A. Dearani, MD (12/27/2021)
- Valerie W. Rusch, MD (12/10/2021)
SEASON 1
- Loretta Erhunmwunsee, MD (4/16/2021)
- Elaine E. Tseng, MD (4/2/2021)
- Tom C. Nguyen, MD (3/19/2021)
- Ourania A. Preventza, MD, MBA (3/5/2021)
- Sidharta (Sidhu) P. Gangadharan, MD, MHCM (2/19/2021)
- Melanie A. Edwards, MD (2/5/2021)
- Doug Wood, MD (1/22/2021)
- Shanda H. Blackmon, MD, MPH (1/8/2021)
- Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS (12/28/2020)
- David Tom Cooke, MD (12/11/2020)
- Leah Backhus, MD, MPH (11/27/2020)
- Doug Mathisen, MD (11/13/2020)
- Joanna Chikwe, MD (10/30/2020)
- Richard L. Prager, MD (10/16/2020)
- Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA (10/2/2020)
- Series Introduction with David Tom Cooke, MD (10/2/2020)
Subscribe to Surgical Hot Topics via your favorite podcast app. New episodes will be added regularly and social media postings about the series will include the hashtag #TheFaceofCTSurgery.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Sex Differences in the Pattern of Patient Referrals to Male and Female Surgeons (article published in JAMA Surgery on November 10, 2021)
- Diversity, Equity, and Representativeness: Coming to Terms with the Henrietta Lacks Act (article published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network on August 1, 2021)
- Eliminating the Cardiothoracic Surgery Gender Gap: Not There Yet (Invited Commentary published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on August 10, 2021)
- Enhancing Support for Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery through Allyship and Targeted Initiatives (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on July 28, 2021)
- Diversity and Inclusion in General Surgery, Integrated Thoracic Surgery, and Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program Websites (published in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education June 2021)
- Diversity and Inclusion in the Virtual Era (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on June 14, 2021)
- Gender Representation Among Principal Investigators in Cardiac Surgery Clinical Trials in the United States: The Glass Ceiling and Room for Improvement (published in the Annals of Surgery on June 2, 2021)
- Diversity in Cardiothoracic Surgery: Beyond a "Gender/Color-Blind" Approach (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on June 6, 2021)
- 2020 Women in Thoracic Surgery Update on the Status of Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on April 12, 2021)
- Reflections on Diversity and Inclusion: Déjà vu All Over Again (published in the March 2021 Annals of Surgery)
- An Approach to Diversity and Inclusion in Cardiothoracic Surgery (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on December 16, 2020)
- Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarship: Impact on Career Path and Interest in Cardiothoracic Surgery (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on September 19, 2020); You Can’t Be What You Can’t See (Letter to the Editor published in The Annals on November 16, 2020)
- Let the Light Shine: The Need for Diversity and Inclusion in Cardiothoracic Surgery (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on December 16, 2020)
- Sex, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities in US Cardiovascular Trials in More Than 230,000 Patients (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on November 12, 2020)
- Women and Minorities Underrepresented in Academic Cardiothoracic Surgery: It’s Time for Next Steps (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on November 5, 2020)
- Persistent Racial and Sex Disparities in Outcomes After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (published in the October 2020 issue of the Annals of Surgery)
- The Role of Race and Gender in Career Experiences of Black/African-American Academic Surgeons (published in the Annals of Surgery on September 15, 2020)
- Bias Mitigation in Cardiothoracic Recruitment (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on July 18, 2020)
- An Exploration of Myths, Barriers, and Strategies for Improving Diversity Among STS Members (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on December 1, 2019)
- Report from the Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion—The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Members’ Bias Experiences (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on November 1, 2019)
- The Importance of a Diverse Specialty: Introducing the STS Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion (published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery on October 1, 2019)
Member News
Other Resources
- How The Community Can Help Combat Access to Lung Cancer Screening, Care Issues (CURE article, November 18, 2020)
- The Remarkable Story of Vivien Thomas, the Black Man Who Helped Invent Heart Surgery (Washingtonian article - June 19, 2020)
- Light the Flame: A Message from One Underrepresented Minority to Another (WTS Blog by Ian C. Bostock, MD)