Category: STSA Council
In Memoriam: Past STSA President Joseph I. Miller, Jr., MD
It is deep sorrow and sadness to inform you of the passing of our colleague Joseph I. Miller, Jr., MD. Dr. Miller served as STSA President in 2003 and hosted the STSA 50th Annual Meeting in Bonita Springs, FL. Prior to serving as President, Dr. Miller served as a member of the Postgraduate Committee, Councilor, Vice President, President-Elect. He was an icon in general thoracic surgery in the South. He was a highly respected surgeon, a revered member of his community, and dear friend to many. He was a true “Southern Gentleman.” He was a mentor to hundreds of colleagues and an excellent educator to a multitude of fellows, residents, and medical students during his career at Emory. Prayers are with his wife, children, and extended family during this time of unexpected grief. Please see the obituary linked below for more information on Dr. Miller’s extraordinary life.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/atlanta-ga/joseph-miller-10499030
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.
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.
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.
- View photos from the 65th Annual Meeting;
- Watch Dr. Kevin Accola’s Presidential Address;
- Review the transcript from the STSA Business Meeting;
- Visit www.stsa.org/65thannual for additional content; and
- Follow STSA on Facebook or Twitter to receive notifications about future content – Coach Lou Holtz address will be posted in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
2018 Self-Nomination Process Now Open
STSA is currently accepting self-nominations from active members interested in volunteering to serve on an STSA leadership committee. The deadline to submit self-nominations is Friday, December 8, 2017. Selected nominees will begin their term on January 1, 2018.
The following membership positions are available. Please note that for each appointment, the selected nominee will become Committee Chair or Co-Chair in the final year of their term.
- Finance Committee | Three positions | One, Two and Three-year terms | Nominate Yourself for the Finance Committee
- Membership Committee | One position | Four-year term | Nominate Yourself for the Membership Committee
- Postgraduate Committee | Two positions | Three-year term | Nominate Yourself for the Postgraduate Committee
- Program Committee | Two positions | Three-year term | Nominate Yourself for the Program Committee
- Scholarship Committee | One position | Four-year term | Nominate Yourself for the Scholarship Committee
For detailed descriptions of each Committee, please review Article IX of the Association’s Bylaws. Members interested in nominating themselves to be considered for more than one position should complete the appropriate Committee questionnaire for each position of interest.
Learn more about the 2018 self-nomination process. If you have questions or wish to check on the status of your STSA membership, please contact STSA Headquarters at stsa@stsa.org or 312.202.5892.
Members Appointed to STSA Leadership Committee Positions
More than 60 STSA members participated in the 2017 self-nomination process. Thank you to everyone who nominated themselves to be considered for an STSA Committee leadership position.
Six members were selected to serve on the Program, Postgraduate, Membership, and Scholarship Committees. The newly appointed Committee leaders are as follows:
- Program Committee Appointments:
- Joseph A. Dearani, MD, Rochester, MN
- Daniela Molena, MD, New York, NY
- Postgraduate Committee Appointments:
- Matthew Bott, MD, New York, NY
- Ahmet Kilic, MD, Columbus, OH
- Membership Committee Appointments:
- James J. Gangemi, MD, Charlottesville, VA
- Brooks Scholarship Committee Appointments:
- Min Kim, MD, Houston, TX
Appointees will serve three- to four-year terms; they will assume to role of Committee Chair/Co-chair in the final year of their term. Committee Chairs/Co-chairs attend STSA Council Meetings and assist in the overall management of the Association.
STSA Executive Council Members attended a Council Meeting on November 9, 2016 in conjunction with the STSA 63rd Annual Meeting.
STSA will accept nominations for 2018 Committee leadership position vacancies in December 2017.
Contact STSA Headquarters with questions at stsa@stsa.org or 312.202.5892.
Members Appointed to Leadership Committee Positions
More than 50 STSA members participated in the 2016 self-nomination process. Thank you to everyone who nominated themselves to be considered for an STSA Committee leadership position.
Six members were selected to serve on the Program, Postgraduate, Membership, and Scholarship Committees. The newly appointed Committee leaders are as follows:
- Program Committee Appointments:
- Faisal Bakaeen, MD, Cleveland, OH
- Elizabeth David, MD, Davis, CA
- Postgraduate Committee Appointments:
- Kirk Kanter, MD, Atlanta, GA
- Chad Stasik, MD, San Antonio, TX
- Membership Committee Appointments:
- Andrew J. Lodge, MD, Durham, NC
- Brooks Scholarship Committee Appointments:
- Jennifer Solms Nelson, MD, Chapel Hill, NC
Appointees will serve three- to four-year terms; they will assume to role of Committee Chair/Co-chair in the final year of their term. Committee Chairs/Co-chairs attend STSA Council Meetings and assist in the overall management of the Association.
STSA Executive Council Members and Committee Chairs attended a Council Meeting on November 4, 2015 in conjunction with the STSA 62nd Annual Meeting.
STSA will accept nominations for 2017 Committee leadership position vacancies in December 2016.
Contact STSA Headquarters with questions at stsa@stsa.org or 312.202.5892.
2016 Self-nomination Process Now Open
STSA is currently accepting self-nominations from active members interested in volunteering to serve on an STSA leadership committee. The deadline to submit self-nominations is Thursday, December 10, 2015. Selected nominees will begin their term on January 1, 2016.
The following membership positions are available. Please note that for each appointment, the selected nominee will become Committee Chair or Co-Chair in the final year of their term.
- Brooks Scholarship Committee | One position | Four-year term | Nominate Yourself for the Brooks Scholarship Committee
- Membership Committee | One position | Four-year term | Nominate Yourself for Membership Committee
- Postgraduate Committee | Two positions | Three-year term | Nominate Yourself for the Postgraduate Committee
- Program Committee | Two positions | Three-year term | Nominate Yourself for the Program Committee
For detailed descriptions of each Committee, please review Article IX of the Association’s Bylaws. Members interested in nominating themselves to be considered for more than one position should complete the appropriate Committee questionnaire for each position of interest.
STSA Executive Council Members and Committee Chairs attended a Council Meeting on November 4, 2015 in conjunction with the STSA 62nd Annual Meeting. Members interested in volunteering to serve on an STSA Committee should participate in the self-nomination process by December 10, 2015.
Learn more about the 2016 self-nomination process. If you have questions or wish to check on the status of your STSA membership, please contact STSA Headquarters at stsa@stsa.org or 800.685.7872.
Hank Edmunds Named 2015 STSA Inspiration Award Recipient
Dr. Hank Edmunds and his wife, Martha Mel Edmunds, attended the November 2014 STSA Past Presidents Dinner in conjunction with the STSA 61st Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ.
The STSA Inspiration Award was established in 2007 to recognize the important contribution of mentorship to the cardiothoracic surgery specialty and the Association, 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. L. Henry Edmunds, Jr., MD was named the 2015 Inspiration Award recipient by 2014-15 STSA President, John H. Calhoon, MD.
Dr. Edmunds is an Honorary Member of STSA and served on the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association Executive Council from 2000-2015 as Editor of the Association’s official Journal, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Edmunds was nominated for the Inspiration Award by a fellow STSA Member, who described his contributions to the Annals in saying:
During his term as Editor, the Annals expanded dramatically. His many innovations to the Annals have, in large part, explained its now global reach. As Editor, Dr. Edmunds insisted on the highest quality of scholarship and rigorous peer review. His insightful commentary and advice on countless manuscripts have has a profound effect on the academic productivity of many members of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association.
– 2015 Inspiration AwardNomination Letter Writer
Dr. Calhoon, announced Dr. Edmunds as the 2015 Inspiration Award recipient during the 62nd Annual Meeting Awards Dinner & Dance on November 7, 2015 in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
STSA members will again have the opportunity to nominate a surgeon mentor for the Inspiration Award in 2016. Nominations should outline the specific merits of the nominee and his or her positive influences on the mentee(s). The recipient must be an STSA member in good standing. Submit nominations in writing to STSA and send via e-mail to stsa@stsa.org or mail to 633 N. Saint Clair St., Floor 23, Chicago, IL 60611. STSA President, Dr. Andrea Carpenter, will announce the 2016 Inspiration Award recipient during the STSA 63rd Annual Meeting Awards Dinner & Dance on November 12, 2016 in Naples, FL.
View a list of past Inspiration Award recipients at www.stsa.org/awards. Contact STSA Headquarters with questions at stsa@stsa.org or 312.202.5892.
