Tag: new member

Application Deadline Extended until September 24/ Help Recruit New STSA Members

STSA Membership Application Deadline Extended Until September 24

Help Recruit New STSA Members!

STSA is currently accepting applications for Active, Associate, Candidate and Pre-Candidate Membership. The application deadline, previously scheduled for Sunday, September 15, is extended until Tuesday, September 24. 

Please take a few moments to encourage your partners, colleagues, and mentees to apply. If you are a Active or Senior member, offer to act as a member sponsor and write a letter of support. Your encouragement will be an important incentive to attract new members to our Association. 

Here are the available STSA membership categories:

  • Active Membership is available for Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons who currently practice or have previously practiced in the Southern region for at least one consecutive year, have completed a thoracic surgery or general surgery residency program, or have completed a thoracic or cardiovascular research or clinical fellowship for at least one consecutive year in the Southern region.
  • Associate Membership is available for interdisciplinary care professionals working on a cardiothoracic surgery team in the Southern region.
  • Candidate Membership is available for cardiothoracic surgery residents training at an institution in the Southern region.
  • Pre-Candidate Membership is available for general surgery residents and medical students interested in pursuing cardiothoracic surgery and training at an institution in the Southern region.

Click here to see a map of the STSA region.

Member benefits, eligibility requirements and applications are available at www.stsa.org/becomeamember/.

Please contact the STSA Headquarters office at 312.202.5892 or stsa@stsa.org with questions.

Thank you for your time and efforts to help grow the STSA,

Andrew J. Lodge, MD
STSA Membership Chair

September 12, 2019 | By More

Upcoming Membership Application Deadline: September 15

New STSA members were recognized and welcomed at the 2018 Annual Business Meeting.

STSA represents more than 1,100 cardiothoracic surgeons throughout the country with a mission of supporting southern and southern-trained members of the cardiothoracic surgery community and their families in the pursuit of the highest quality patient care, education, scientific achievement, collegiality, and life balance. The small, intimate size of STSA and emphasis on collegiality sets it apart from other national organizations.

STSA is currently accepting membership applications for the following membership categories:

  • Active Membership
    For Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons who currently practice or have previously practiced cardiothoracic surgery for at least one consecutive year, have completed a thoracic surgery or general surgery residency program, or have completed a thoracic or cardiovascular research or clinical fellowship for at least one consecutive year in the Southern region.
  • Associate Membership
    For healthcare professionals working in the Southern region including, but not limited to, physician assistants, perfusionists, nurses, nurse practitioners, practice administrators, data managers and other health care professionals who support and work directly with cardiothoracic surgeons.
  • Candidate Membership
    For cardiothoracic surgery residents and fellows matched or enrolled in a thoracic surgery educational program accredited by the Residency Review Committee for Thoracic Surgery under the authority of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education that is within the Southern region. Individuals who have completed their cardiothoracic surgery residency in the Southern region and are in the process of acquiring certification in thoracic surgery by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery are eligible to apply for Candidate Membership.
  • Pre-Candidate Membership
    For medical students and general surgery residents enrolled at a program in the Southern region and interested in pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery.

Member benefits include reduced registration fees to attend the STSA Annual Meeting and leadership opportunities. If you’re already a member, please consider inviting your partners, CT surgery team members, and mentees to apply. If you are not a member yet, visit www.stsa.org/membership to learn more and download an application. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2019.

Contact the STSA Headquarters office at 312.202.5892 or stsa@stsa.org with questions.

July 29, 2019 | By More

STSA 65th Annual Meeting Content Available Online

Thank you to everyone who joined STSA at its 65th Annual Meeting in Amelia Island, FL last month. Even if you weren’t able to attend in person, you can now access select 65th Annual Meeting content online.

Mark your calendar now for the STSA 66th Annual Meeting, Nov. 6-9, 2019 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Marco Island, FL!


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.

December 20, 2018 | By More

Help Recruit New STSA Members!

STSA Membership Applications Due September 15

STSA is currently accepting applications for Active, Associate, Candidate and Pre-Candidate Membership.

Help STSA grow by encouraging your colleagues, mentees and CT surgery team members to submit an application to STSA membership. Offer to write a letter of nomination as a member sponsor.

Here are the available STSA membership categories:

  • Active Membership is available for Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons who currently practice or have previously practiced in the Southern region for at least one consecutive year, have completed a thoracic surgery or general surgery residency program, or have completed a thoracic or cardiovascular research or clinical fellowship for at least one consecutive year in the Southern region.
  • Associate Membership is available for interdisciplinary care professionals working on a cardiothoracic surgery team in the Southern region.
  • Candidate Membership is available for cardiothoracic surgery residents training at an institution in the Southern region.
  • Pre-Candidate Membership is available for general surgery residents and medical students interested in pursuing cardiothoracic surgery and training at an institution in the Southern region.

Click here to see a map of the states/territories considered part of the Southern region.

Applications are available at www.stsa.org/membership. The deadline to apply is September 15.

Contact the STSA Headquarters office at 312.202.5892 or stsa@stsa.org with questions.

August 9, 2018 | By More

Read the Latest Issue: STSA News – Spring 2018

The Spring 2018 issue of STSA News is now available. This issue features:

  • A letter from STSA President, Kevin D. Accola, MD
  • STSA membership recruitment information
  • Highlights from the STSA 64th Annual Meeting
  • 2018 awards and scholarship opportunities
  • Updates from the Program and Postgraduate Committees and
  • 2018 Schedule of Events

View additional updates from STSA and past issues of STSA News at www.stsa.org/whats-new.

Please contact STSA Headquarters with questions or suggestions regarding STSA News at stsa@stsa.org.

June 20, 2018 | By More

STSA Welcomes 57 New Members

STSA membership voted to confirm the applications for 57 new Active, Associate, Resident, and Student members during the November 6, 2015 Annual Business Meeting. STSA gratefully acknowledges the Membership Committee’s work in recruiting and reviewing applications over the past year. Chaired by Curt Tribble, MD, 2015 Membership Committee Members also included James Robert Headrick, MD; Edward P. Chen, MD; and Edward B. Savage, MD.

New STSA Members

New Members attending the November 6, 2015 Annual Business Meeting were recognized and presented with membership certificates.

STSA recently expanded its membership categories so that more surgical team members now qualify for membership than ever before. The deadline to submit application materials for consideration at the November 2016 Business Meeting is September 15, 2016.

Learn more about STSA member categories and download an application:

Newly elected members of the Association include:

Active Members

  • Robert D. Adams , MD
  • Muhammad Aftab, MBBS, MD
  • Carlos J. Anciano, MD
  • Mara B. Antonoff, MD
  • Harold M. Burkhart, MD
  • Lorraine D. Cornwell, MD
  • Kim Insua de la Cruz, MD
  • Subrato J, Deb, MD
  • Ali Dodge-Khatami, MD, PhD
  • John W. C. Entwistle, MD
  • Renata Ford, MD
  • Puja Gaur, MD
  • Gonzalez V. Gonzalez-Stawinski, MD
  • Norman A. Hetzler, Jr., MD
  • Aaron Hoffman, MD
  • Mark D. Iannettoni, MD, MBA
  • Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD
  • Kemp H. Kernstine, MD
  • Jacob Klapper, MD
  • Brian Lima MD
  • Christopher J. Mutrie, MD
  • James Patrick O’Rourke, MD
  • Manu S. Sancheti, MD
  • Eric L. Sarin, MD
  • Boris Sepesi, MD
  • Brendon M. Stiles, MD
  • Jennifer L. Sullivan, MD
  • Paul Chun Yung Tang, MD, PhD
  • Grayson H. Wheatley, III, MD

Associate Members

  • Jill M. Hinkle, MSN
  • Cathy E. Knoff, BSN, MSN, MBA
  • Ashley D. Miller, MSN-FNP

Resident Members

  • Evaristo Fernandez Sada, MD MSc
  • Denis M. Gilmore, MD
  • Christopher E. Greenleaf, MD, MBA
  • Robert. B. Hawins
  • Jeffrey Javidfar, MD
  • Eric I. Jeng, MD
  • Feiran Lou, MD, MS
  • Jesse Madden, MD, MSCI
  • Ana M. Parsee, MD
  • Hetal D. Patel
  • Gregory Pattakos, MD, MS
  • Nicholas R. Teman, MD
  • Miguel Orencio, MD
  • Kenan W. Yount, MD

Student Members

  • Jennifer L. Alejo
  • Trevor A. Davis
  • Clauden Louis
  • Joseph Martinez
  • James H. Mehaffey
  • Jessica Moore
  • Brian Sparkman
  • John J. Squiers
  • Lindsay Olivia-Lee Stepp
  • Austin Ward
  • Jaye (Alex) Weston

Congratulations and welcome to all of STSA’s newest members! Contact STSA Headquarters with questions about membership at stsa@stsa.org or 312.202.5892.

December 7, 2015 | By More

STSA Member Spotlight: Elizabeth A. David, MD

Elizabeth A. David, MD joined STSA as an Active Member in 2015. She is currently Assistant Professor General Thoracic Surgery at the David Grant Medical Center/UC Davis Medical Center. STSA Members, Dr. Shanda Blackmon and Dr. Ara Vaporciyan, nominated Dr. David for Active Membership in 2014 and her application was approved at the November 2014 Business Meeting. Prior to becoming an Active Member, Dr. David was among STSA’s first Resident Members.

STSA recently interviewed Dr. David about her experience as a new STSA Active Member.

Member Spotlight; Elizabeth A. David, MD

Dr. David (far left) attended a reception during the STSA 61st Annual Meeting held November 5-8, 2014 in Tucson, AZ with STSA Councilor, Dr. Christine Lau (second from left); STSA President-Elect, Dr. Andrea J. Carpenter (second from right); and STSA ACS Representative, Dr. Shanda Blackmon (far right).

When did you first learn about the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association?
I initially learned about the STSA from Dr. Blair Marshall, who always referred to it as one of her favorite meetings to attend. It was several years before my schedule allowed me to attend for myself though.

Please briefly summarize your educational and professional background, including your experience in the Southern region.
I completed medical school and general surgery residency at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. In 2010, I moved to Houston, TX for my cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. I continued moving west in 2012 when I moved to Northern CA to start practice.

Do you perceive the Southern Thoracic as different or unique from other membership organizations that you participate in?
YES! I have not been to every thoracic surgery organization meeting, but the size of the STSA and its Annual Meeting drew me in. Because of the meeting’s intimate size, even as a new member I feel like I know a lot of other members and that they are getting to know me. It’s welcoming to be at a meeting where you are greeted with friendly faces who seem genuinely glad that you are there.

Welcome and introduce yourself to Dr. David and all of STSA’s newest members this November at the 62nd Annual Meeting. Pick them out by looking for the green new member ribbon on attendees’ name badges.

Learn more about STSA membership at www.stsa.org/membership and contact STSA Headquarters with questions about membership at stsa@stsa.org or 800.685.7872.

September 22, 2015 | By More

STSA Member Spotlight: Pierre de Delva, MD

Pierre de Delva, MD joined STSA as an Active Member in 2014. He is an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Section Chief General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. STSA Members Dr. Walter Merrill and Dr. Curt Tribble nominated Dr. de Delva for Active Membership in 2013 and his application was approved at the November 2013 Business Meeting. Read on to learn why Dr. de Delva joined STSA, what he values most about the Southern Thoracic, and why you should encourage your colleagues, especially younger faculty, to join our great Association.

Pierre de Delva, MD

Pierre de Delva, MD

Early in my experiences with groups like the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA), I recognized that regional surgical societies serve a complimentary and yet distinct role from our national and international associations. Strong feelings of community and pride are magnified by a shared sense of responsibility to represent and highlight the region’s excellence in patient care, innovation, and service. The regional proximity brings members and their families together and fosters lasting relationships. That’s what sets the STSA apart and makes the Annual Meeting a fun event hallmarked by great science, camaraderie, and friendship.

I joined the STSA to be part of this community and share in its mission of supporting Southern surgeons in pursuit of the highest quality patient care, education, scientific achievement, collegiality, and life balance. As a physician who did not train in the South, I am looking forward to the meeting in Tucson. It will be an opportunity to meet other cardiothoracic surgeons, find collaborative opportunities, and make new friends.

I was encouraged by several of my mentors to join STSA and I hope that you will do the same for your junior partners, residents, and students. The strength of any organization is its members. The STSA is living proof of that principle. I am very excited to be a new member and join this great organization.

– Pierre de Delva, MD

Visit www.stsa.org/membership to learn more about STSA membership. Contact STSA Headquarters at stsa@stsa.org or 800.685.7872 with questions about membership. Active, Associate, Resident, and Student Membership applications are accepted and reviewed each fall.

February 11, 2015 | By More