Category: STSA History
Robert Cerfolio Named 2019 STSA Mavroudis Urschel Award Recipient
The Mavroudis-Urschel Award was established in 2006 to recognize and honor an STSA member who made important contributions to the STSA scientific program and uniquely personified the social spirit, camaraderie, and fun for which the STSA is famous. The Award is named for STSA Past Presidents Constantine “Gus” Mavroudis and Harold Urschel, who both contributed significantly to STSA.
Robert Cerfolio, MD received the 2019 STSA Mavroudis Urschel Award at the STSA 66th Annual Meeting, in Marco Island, FL.
Dr. Cerfolio has held various leadership positions with STSA, including serving on the Program Committee, the Postgraduate Committee, CME Committee, and the Nominating Committee. Most notably, he has served as Secretary/Treasurer from 2007-2010 and as STSA President in 2013. He has enthusiastically supported the STSA Annual Meeting, year after year, whether it be as a speaker, moderator, or panelist. He has demonstrated to be a dedicated member of STSA, and encouraged others to participate. Through the Mavroudis Urschel Award, STSA recognizes Dr. Cerfolio’s significant contributions to the association.
The Award was presented during the Dinner Gala by the then President, Dr. Jeff Jacobs, at the STSA 66th Annual Meeting on November 8, 2019 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida. View a list of past Mavroudis-Urschel Award recipients at www.stsa.org/awards.
Charles Fraser and Francis Robicsek Named 2019 STSA Inspiration Award Recipients
The STSA Inspiration Award was established in 2007 to recognize the important contribution of mentorship to the specialty and the organization, and to encourage upcoming generations of CT surgeons by helping to cultivate mentors worthy of emulation.
The Award is given to the STSA member who has demonstrated exceptional efforts in motivating, inspiring, and cultivating the clinical and research talents of medical students, residents and/or early career CT surgeons. Nominations are submitted in writing to the President, to be considered for presentation at the STSA 66th Annual Meeting. The award is given at the discretion of the President in consultation with the Council. Drs. Charles Fraser and Francis Robicsek were named the 2019 Inspiration Award recipients at this year’s Dinner Gala.
Dr. Charles Fraser has been a long-time Member of STSA. Dr. Fraser was nominated by an incredibly strong and emotional letter of support signed by eleven pediatric cardiac surgeons. The letter of support stated:
“It is unusual to have the opportunity in life to meet a person that has not only excelled at what he does but has found a way to inspire and mentor students, residents, fellows, and colleagues the way he has done. With his mentorship and inspiration, Dr. Fraser has touched every one of our lives in a very meaningful way. He has successfully trained and mentored many congenital heart surgeons from all around the globe. He has trained surgeons from India, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Egypt, to name a few. Many of them now lead congenital heart programs in the United States and at their home countries.”
Dr. Francis Robicsek, was President of STSA in 1983, and a valued colleague to all members of STSA. Dr. Jeff Jacobs presented the award and said of Dr. Robicsek, “Notable amongst the multiple accomplishments of Dr. Robicsek is his commitment to international humanitarian cardiothoracic surgery dating back to the early 1960s in Honduras, treating surgical tuberculosis patients. For nine decades, Dr. Robicsek has known his WHY and inspired cardiothoracic surgeons around the world.”
The Awards were presented during the Dinner Gala by the then President, Dr. Jeff Jacobs, at the STSA 66th Annual Meeting on November 8, 2019 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, Florida. View a list of past Inspiration Award recipients at www.stsa.org/awards.
STSA 66th Annual Meeting Program Book Available + Scientific Session Highlights
The countdown begins! STSA President, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, MD along with STSA Program Committee Co-Chairs, Joseph A. Dearani, MD and Daniela Molena, MD encourage you to join STSA at its 66th Annual Meeting in Marco Island, FL, November 6-9, 2019.
The STSA 66th Annual Meeting Program Book is now available. Of important note, STSA has added scientific e-Posters as supplemental education into this year’s Annual Meeting. Join us on Wednesday, November 6, for a casual evening of networking and complex case presentations which will kick off the meeting at 7:00 pm. A Postgraduate Welcome Reception immediately precedes this session beginning at 6:00 pm in the Calusa Ballroom Foyer.
Review the Program Book for a complete schedule of scientific programming. Please be advised there have been minor changes to the educational program which include modifications to speakers and assigned discussants since the Program Book has been finalized. All changes will be reflected in the STSA Mobile Application which will be available in the coming days and on site during the meeting. Live updates will be applied to the app as needed on site.
Highlights include:
- Wednesday night’s casual Postgraduate Session titled “I Wish I Could Have Done That Case Over”;
- The Harold Urschel History Lectureship presented by W. Randolph Chitwood, MD;
- President’s Invited Lecturer and Keynote Speakers, James A. Quintessenza, MD and Martin J. Elliott, MD;
- Scientific Sessions scheduled for Thursday and Friday will include oral presentations and STSA/CTSNet surgical videos selected by the Program Committee;
- Concurrent subspecialty breakouts include Adult Cardiac, Thoracic, Congenital, Adult Congenital, and ECMO/ Transplant;
- A special session on Friday morning titled: DIVERSITY, HISTORY, and ADVOCACY featuring talks from Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, Constantine Mavroudis, MD, Keith Naunheim, MD and John E. Mayer, MD.
- Scientific e-Posters in the meeting foyer on Thursday and Friday;
- A concluding Postgraduate Session on Saturday, November 9, will feature a plenary session titled: CHARITY, INNOVATION, and QUALITY. Featured speakers include Joseph A. Dearani, MD, Duke E. Cameron, MD and David M. Shahian, MD.
If you have not registered, registration will be available on site at the Annual Meeting in Marco Island, FL. For housing, please contact the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort to check availability at 800.438.4373. If there is no availability at the Marriott, please check room availability at the following hotel located .4 miles from the JW Marriott. (Please note that STSA will not be providing transportation between the JW Marriott and the Hilton.)
Hilton
Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa
560 South Collier Boulevard
Marco Island, FL 34145
We hope to see you in Marco Island.
Sincerely,
STSA Headquarters
312.202.5892
stsa@stsa.org
STSA 66th Annual Meeting
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and The Southern Thoracic Surgical Association. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons designates this live activity for a maximum of 17.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
STSA Members Elect Dr. Jeff Jacobs as President
STSA members elected Jeff Jacobs, MD, as the next President of STSA at its annual Business Meeting held on November 9, 2018.
Council Chair, Dr. Kevin Accola, hands the gavel to the new STSA President, Dr. Jeff Jacobs.
Dr. Jacobs has been active with STSA for several years, serving on the Finance Committee, as Chair of the Program Committee, and as Vice President. Dr. Jacobs is Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery and Director of the Andrews/Daicoff Cardiovascular Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute in St. Petersburgh, FL.
Join your fellow members for the STSA 66th Annual Meeting, November 6-9, 2019 in Marco Island, FL, where Dr. Jacobs will present his Presidential Address.
Five STSA Past Presidents Identified in 1955 AATS Annual Meeting Photo
STSA staff recently came across a letter from STSA Past President, Edward R. Munnell, MD, including a photo taken sixty years ago at the 1955 American Association for Thoracic Surgery Annual Meeting in Atlantic City.
The photo features five STSA Past Presidents, including Dr. Munnell himself (STSA Past President, 1967) along with James E. Dailey, MD (1962); DeWitt C. Daughtry, MD (1961); Joseph W. Peabody, Jr., MD (1977); and Hawley H. Seiler, MD (1971).
As many STSA members plan to attend the AATS 95th Annual Meeting in Seattle later this month, it seemed only appropriate to share this image and Dr. Munnell’s 2003 letter with the STSA community. Dr. Munnell’s letter to STSA staff read:
Dear Christine,
I just found this old photograph showing many of the lovely members of the STSA and six past presidents. This also shows close friends of mine from the thoracic cardiovascular surgery section of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
I hope this will be of interest.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Edward Munnell
STSA Past Presidents, members, and friends attended the AATS Annual Meeting in Atlantic City in 1955.
Individuals pictured are listed from bottom left:
- Edward R. Munnell, MD (STSA Past President, 1967);
- Conrad R. Lam, MD;
- DeWitt C. Daughtry, MD (STSA Past President, 1961);
- Takeshi Ohara, MD;
- Robert E. McCall, Jr., MD;
- Edgar Dovis, MD;
- Joseph W. Peabody, Jr. (STSA Past President, 1977);
- J. Moore, MD;
- James E. Dailey, MD (STSA Past President, 1962);
- Mrs. Mary Walkup;
- Hawley H. Seiler, MD (STSA Past President, 1971);
- Harry Walkup, MD; and
- John Rayl, MD.
If you have historical STSA photos that you would like to share with the STSA community, please contact STSA Executive Director, Megan Drumm, at mdrumm@stsa.org.
View the note that Dr. Munnell sent to STSA in 2003, including a diagram of the table identifying each individual pictured in the photograph:
Dr. Munnell’s note included a detailed diagram identifying each individual pictured.
