Author Archive: STSA Headquarters
STSA 70th Annual Meeting
Save the Date for the STSA 70th Annual Meeting! November 2-5, 2023 at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando Resort™.
STSA 67th Annual Meeting Abstract Deadline Extended to April 19!
STSA continues to closely monitor the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its impact on our organizational activities including the STSA 67th Annual Meeting in November, and – most important – the impact on our members and staff. Please continue to check the STSA website for updates. Should any significant changes be made, STSA will communicate this information to its members via e-mail if and when necessary.
STSA 67th Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts – DEADLINE EXTENDED
stsa.org/abstracts | April 19 Deadline
The Southern Thoracic Surgical Association abstract submission deadline has been extended to Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The STSA 67th Annual Meeting will be held November 4-7, 2020 at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando™ in Orlando, FL. If you started an abstract in the submission website and it is currently in draft mode, please complete and submit your abstract before the deadline. Abstracts in draft mode will not be considered.
Oral, video, history (oral), oral/poster, and poster only abstract submissions are being accepted. The submission categories include adult cardiac, congenital, and general thoracic, as well as surgical education, simulation and team-based learning, patient safety, and lessons learned from intraoperative complications.
Access the STSA 67th Annual Meeting abstract submission website.
You may review the STSA 67th Annual Meeting abstract submission guidelines at the beginning of the submission process and prior to selecting your submission type. Of important note, STSA requires that all abstract authors (primary and co-authors) submit their commercial and financial disclosure information by the abstract submission deadline of April 19, 2020. Co-authors may login and complete their personal commercial relationship form. Only one form is required per author for the meeting.
The 2020 abstract submission website is hosted by the same company STSA used last year. You may use the login credentials you set up during your abstract submission in 2019. It is also the same provider STSA uses for CME evaluations and the mobile application. If you have attended a STSA Annual Meeting in the past five years and claimed CME credits, you may already have an account within the system. If you do not retain your account information, please use the reset password link first to assist with the prevention of creating duplicate accounts. If your e-mail address is found within the system, an e-mail will be sent to you with further instructions. If not, please create a new account.
If you have attended a STSA meeting in the past, you understand why attendees return year after year. The collegiality, fun, and scientific value of the STSA Annual Meeting are unmatched. The STSA Annual Meeting continues to be an exceptional forum for disseminating your work to the entire field of cardiothoracic surgery.
Abstracts accepted to the Annual Meeting for oral presentation are required to submit a manuscript for publication consideration in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, which has a circulation of more than 8,000 subscribers. During the abstract submission process, authors may indicate if they wish to request a waiver from submitting their manuscript to The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Requests will be reviewed during the STSA Program Committee Meeting in May. Subsequent requests will not be considered.
Please direct any support questions regarding abstract submissions and account login credentials to STSA at stsa@stsa.org or call (312) 202-5892.
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.
Congratulations to STSA’s 2019 Scholarship and Award Winners
At this year’s STSA 66th Annual Meeting, the following individuals were recognized at the Dinner Gala held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. Please join STSA members in congratulating this year’s award and scholarship recipients.
Clifford van Meter President’s Award
Eric Charles, MD |University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Patient-Reported Outcomes at One Year Define Successful Cardiac Surgery
Carolyn Reed President’s Award
Zhizhou Yang, MD | Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Nighttime Operation is Associated With Adverse Outcomes After Lung Transplantation
George R. Daicoff President’s Award
Tom Hoel, MD |Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – Twenty Years Follow-up in Norway
STSA Inspiration Award
Charles Fraser, MD
Francis Robicsek, MD
Tiki Award
Jeffrey Jacobs, MD | Saint Petersburg, FL
Osler Abbott Award
Carl Backer, MD | Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Kent Trinkle Education Lectureship
Robert S. D. Higgins, MD | Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Hawley H. Seiler Resident’s Award
Navin Vigneshwar, MD | University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
Clinical Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality in Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients With Refractory Cardiogenic Shock
Harold Urschel History Lectureship
W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr., MD
Mavroudis-Urschel Award
Robert Cerfolio, MD | NYU Langone Health, New York City, NY
James W. Brooks Medical Student Scholarship
Nicholas Goel |University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Samantha Halpern | Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
Selena Li | Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA
Phillip Mackie | University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
James W. Brooks Resident Scholarship
Eric Etchill, MD | Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
C. Corbin Frye, MD | Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Gregory Leya, MD | Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Rodrigo Zea Vera, MD | Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
For a narrative of each award and a list of past recipients, please visit stsa.org/awards.
STSA Membership Elects Dr. Vinod H. Thourani as President
STSA members elected Vinod H. Thourani, MD, as the next President of STSA at its annual Business Meeting held on November 8, 2019.
Dr. Thourani has been active with STSA for several years, serving on the Postgraduate Committee, as Chair of the Program Committee, as Chair of the Continuing Medical Education Committee, and as Vice President. Dr. Thourani is Marcus Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery for Piedmont Healthcare and the Marcus Heart Valve Center in Atlanta, GA.
Join your fellow members for the STSA 67th Annual Meeting, November 4-7, 2020 in Orlando, FL, where Dr. Thourani will present his Presidential Address.
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.
Check Out STSA’s Top-Notch Postgraduate Program at the STSA 66th Annual Meeting
STSA’s Top-Notch Postgraduate Program at the STSA 66th Annual Meeting
Similar to last year’s STSA Annual Meeting, Wednesday night programming will be a part of the STSA 66th Annual Meeting schedule. The 2019 Postgraduate Program has been broken out into two interactive educational sessions for the upcoming Annual Meeting in November.
Join us on Wednesday evening, November 6, for a casual welcome reception and informal dinner to kick off the meeting. The first half of the STSA Postgraduate Program will showcase complex case presentations and interactive discussions from STSA experts; reflecting on “I Wish I Could Have Done That Case Over”. Featured speakers and presentation topics will include the following:
Cardiac Transplantation:
- Cardiac Transplantation Case Presentation
Carl L. Backer, MD
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Aortic Surgery:
- Aortic Surgery Case Presentation Part 1
Constantine Mavroudis, MD
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Tomas D. Martin, MD
Florida Hospital - The Science Behind the Case
Scott A. LeMaire, MD
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Heart Institute
Thoracic Surgery:
- Thoracic Surgery with 3-Dimensional Modeling Case Presentation
Shanda H. Blackmon, MD
Mayo Clinic - Robotic Thoracic Surgery Case Presentation
Robert J. Cerfolio, MD
NYU Langone Health - Esophageal Surgery Case Presentation
Christine L. Lau, MD
University of Virginia
Mitral Surgery:
- Mitral Surgery Case Presentation 1
Vinay Badhwar, MD
West Virginia University - Mitral Surgery Case Presentation 2
Vinod H. Thourani, MD
MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute and Georgetown University - Mitral Surgery Case Presentation 3
Kevin D. Accola, MD
Cardiovascular Surgeons, P.A.
The Postgraduate Program will host its second session on Saturday morning, November 9, beginning with breakfast to fuel your morning. With a theme of “CHARITY, INNOVATION, and QUALITY,” Dr. Joseph A. Dearani from Mayo Clinic, will present Charitable Cardiothoracic Surgery. Congenital heart disease is a global problem. Although diagnosis and treatment for most or all congenital cardiac anomalies are currently available in many parts of the world, the majority of children suffering from these conditions do not receive adequate, if any, care. As we move into the future, it is essential for physicians/surgeons to be actively involved in political, economic, and social aspects of society in order to defend the interest of impoverished people around the world and have the greatest impact.
Following Dr. Dearani’s presentation, the Postgraduate Program will feature another living legend in cardiothoracic surgery. This year’s spotlight will be on Dr. Duke E. Cameron from Massachusetts General Hospital, interviewed by Dr. Marshall L. Jacobs from Johns Hopkins Cardiac Surgery, and Dr. Luca A. Vricella from the University of Chicago. Dr. Cameron is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Medical School. He completed his general surgery training at Yale-New Haven Hospital and his cardiothoracic fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He joined the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston in 2017, where he now focuses on surgery for aortic and adult congenital heart disease. He has edited several textbooks in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery and authored over 200 peer-reviewed papers.
To close the program, Dr. David M. Shahian from Massachusetts General Hospital, will reflect on his four decade career in surgery and the contemporaneous changes that have transformed healthcare quality. This evolving quality landscape impacted each phase of his career—as a busy, clinical CT surgeon; developer of a new cardiac surgery program in a highly regulated state; department professor and chair; and hospital, state and national quality leader. Dr. Shahian will trace the development of surgical quality from periodic M&M conferences focused on individual adverse events, to contemporary feedback and voluntary public reporting of comprehensive, nationally benchmarked, risk-standardized composite measures for all major cardiothoracic procedures. He will emphasize the importance of clinical registries, scientifically valid risk models and performance measures, data-driven quality improvement, and outcomes transparency.
Be sure to join us on both Wednesday, November 6 and Saturday, November 9 for a Postgraduate Program complete with an array of didactic presentations that will encompass a number of trending topics in cardiothoracic surgery. Review the Advance Program for more details.
Visit stsa.org/66thannual/ to register and learn more about this year’s STSA Annual Meeting.
Contact STSA Headquarters with questions at stsa@stsa.org or 312.202.5892.
STSA 66th Annual Meeting
This activity will be 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 STS designates this educational activity for a maximum of 17.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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
