Leadership

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons today announced Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD, as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his extraordinary dedication to the field of cardiothoracic surgery and his longstanding service to STS at the Society’s 62nd Annual Meeting in New Orleans

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Dr. MacGillivray is Physician Executive Director of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Health and Chairman of Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He previously held senior leadership roles at Houston Methodist Hospital, including the Jimmy F. Howell, MD, Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Surgery, Chief of Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Transplant Surgery, and Associate Medical Director of the Cardiovascular ICU. Earlier, he spent 19 years at Massachusetts General Hospital as Surgical Director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, Co-Director of the Thoracic Aortic Center, and Surgical Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program, while also serving as Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

Across each of these leadership roles, Dr. MacGillivray has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and mentorship.

“Dr. Thomas MacGillivray embodies the highest standards of leadership, innovation, and dedication to the field of cardiothoracic surgery,” said STS President Joseph F. Sabik III, MD. “His unwavering commitment to advancing thoracic care and mentoring the next generation of surgeons has left an indelible mark on our Society and the specialty as a whole.”

Dr. MacGillivray is a board-certified cardiac and thoracic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience in both traditional open and minimally invasive techniques. His expertise spans coronary artery bypass, valve repair and replacement, thoracic aortic surgery, maze procedures, septal myectomy, cardiac tumor surgery, and adult congenital heart disease. He is committed to patient-centered care, following patients through their entire surgical journey from the OR to recovery.

His clinical and academic interests include aortic disease, adult congenital heart disease, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism. A strong advocate for quality improvement, he focuses on outcomes research and large clinical databases. He has authored more than 125 peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters on aortic disease, adult congenital heart disease, mechanical circulatory support, and cardiac tumors.

Dr. MacGillivray earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine after completing undergraduate studies in Classical Studies at Tufts University. He completed his internship and general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by an extensive and distinguished fellowship training pathway that included a research fellowship in fetal surgery at the University of California, San Francisco; congenital heart surgery training as Chief Resident at Boston Children’s Hospital; and adult cardiothoracic surgery training as Chief Resident at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Through decades of clinical excellence, academic contribution, and service-oriented leadership, Dr. MacGillivray has made a lasting impact on cardiothoracic surgery. The 2026 Distinguished Service Award recognizes not only his remarkable career, but also his enduring commitment to patients, colleagues, and the future of the specialty.

In today’s “2025 STS Compensation and Member Practice Survey Update” session, STS leaders discussed key findings from the 2025 survey, offering valuable insights into cardiothoracic surgeon compensation across specialties, career stages, and geographic regions.

This year’s survey—which remains the only tool capturing the full scope and nuances of cardiothoracic surgery practice—now delivers three years of trend data and insights and includes responses from more than 1,100 surgeons. It highlights key trends, including a 5% increase in compensation for cardiac surgeons, 7% for congenital surgeons, and 11% for hybrid surgeons compared with 2024. The survey also expands questions about non-financial considerations accepted in lieu of compensation and adds new items addressing transparency in compensation criteria and benchmarking data.

For the third year in a row, the survey—developed in partnership with Gallagher—examines new areas, including compensation for early-career physicians, employer ownership structures, and satisfaction with compensation. To protect individual privacy, Gallagher reports only aggregated data, ensuring strict confidentiality.

STS Award recognizes groundbreaking scientific contributions that advance cardiothoracic surgery

Cardiothoracic surgeon Michael J. Mack, MD, was given the Earl Bakken Scientific Award at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ Annual Meeting in 2026 in New Orleans today, recognizing a career defined by transformative leadership, surgical innovation, and a lasting impact on cardiovascular medicine.

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Dr. Mack is internationally renowned for his pioneering contributions to minimally invasive cardiac surgery and valvular heart disease therapies, particularly transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Over more than four decades in practice, he has played a central role in reshaping the treatment of complex cardiovascular disease by bridging the disciplines of cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology.

“Dr. Michael Mack’s career exemplifies visionary leadership and collaborative innovation,” said STS President Joseph F. Sabik III, MD. “His influence extends far beyond the operating room—through landmark clinical trials, guideline development, and the ‘heart team’ model that has become the standard of care worldwide. His work has fundamentally changed how we treat patients with structural heart disease.”

A key hallmark of Dr. Mack’s career has been his leadership in pivotal clinical trials that have redefined cardiovascular care. He played critical roles in the SYNTAX Trial, which compared percutaneous coronary intervention with coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with complex coronary artery disease, and the PARTNER Trials, which established the safety and efficacy of TAVR and accelerated its adoption into mainstream practice. These studies helped shape contemporary guidelines and expanded life-saving treatment options for patients previously considered inoperable or high risk.

Dr. Mack has authored or co-authored more than 400 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous book chapters, with scholarship spanning coronary artery bypass surgery, transcatheter valve therapies, minimally invasive surgical techniques, outcomes research, and clinical practice guideline development. His work includes major contributions to expert consensus documents endorsed by leading cardiovascular societies and the development of risk models used widely in clinical decision-making.

Currently, he serves as Medical Director of Cardiovascular Surgery for Baylor Scott & White Health and Chairman of the Baylor Plano Research Center at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano in Texas. He is also principal investigator for the Baylor Core Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health–funded Cardiothoracic Surgical Network (CTSN), awarded in 2013, supporting large-scale, multicenter clinical research in cardiac surgery.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mack has balanced high-volume clinical practice with academic leadership. He has performed thousands of cardiac operations, with well over 4,000 involving heart valve procedures, and has been a global advocate for less invasive approaches that improve recovery and outcomes for patients.

In addition to his clinical and scientific achievements, he has held numerous leadership roles in professional societies. He served as STS president in 2011 and is a past president of The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (formerly the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education), the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery. He has also served on the American College of Cardiology Foundation Board of Trustees and multiple ACC, STS, and FDA committees.

This award recognizes Dr. Mack’s profound and enduring influence on cardiothoracic surgery, his role in advancing collaborative, evidence-based care, and his unwavering commitment to innovation. His career stands as a testament to how collaboration, rigorous science, and patient-centered thinking can redefine an entire field.

The Earl Bakken Scientific Achievement Award was established in 1999 through a grant from Medtronic, Inc. to honor individuals who have made outstanding scientific contributions that have enhanced the practice of cardiothoracic surgery and patient quality of life. The award was named for Medtronic co-founder Earl Bakken. Among numerous other achievements, Bakken developed the first wearable artificial pacemaker.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons today announced the 2026 Nina Starr Braunwald Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Award recipients at its 62nd Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Now in its fourth year, the award is co-sponsored by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS) and recognizes women cardiothoracic surgeons who exemplify exceptional clinical expertise, leadership, and dedication to advancing the field.

This year’s honorees are Emily Farkas, MD; Carolyn Jones, MD; and Rosemary Kelly, MD.

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“We are proud to honor these outstanding women and celebrate their accomplishments as surgeons, leaders, and mentors,” said STS Immediate Past President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS. “Their dedication and example motivate and guide the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons—women and men alike—to push the boundaries of innovation in their specialties.”

Meet these these accomplished surgeons:

Dr. Emily Farkas, a cardiothoracic surgeon whose career is defined by an unwavering commitment to patient care and global service. One of the approximately 3% of cardiac surgeons who are women, she also holds the distinction of being the first woman accepted into cardiothoracic surgery training at Yale University. After completing her training, she spent five years on the faculty at Saint Louis University as an assistant professor of surgery.

A passion for global medicine has shaped Dr. Farkas’s career from its earliest days, including delivering her first baby in Kenya and completing medical school electives in Sri Lanka. This commitment ultimately led her to step away from a traditional academic path to focus on humanitarian cardiac surgery. Through partnerships with various charitable organizations, she has directed or participated in more than 50 surgical missions worldwide, providing free, life-saving heart surgery in countries including Brazil, Ghana, Nepal, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Vietnam.

Dr. Farkas is an associate professor of surgery and associate director of global health in surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine, as well as chief of cardiac surgery at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. A recognized leader in the field, she serves on numerous STS and WTS committees, an associate editor for CTSNet, and holds leadership roles with CardioStart International, EMERGENCY USA, and the Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance. Her career reflects a powerful blend of surgical excellence, service, and advocacy for equitable access to care.

Dr. Carolyn Jones' journey to leadership in cardiothoracic surgery is marked by resilience, compassion, and a lasting commitment to education and mentorship. She began her medical career as a nurse and went on to complete medical school at George Washington University while raising a family as a single mother. She trained in general and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Rochester, where she later became the first woman hired as an attending cardiothoracic surgeon and now serves as chief of thoracic surgery.

An associate professor of surgery and chief of thoracic and foregut surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Dr. Jones is widely admired for her clinical excellence, technical skill, and ability to work well with others. While she may not seek national recognition, her impact is deeply felt by patients, trainees, nurses, and colleagues throughout upstate New York. Known for her empathy, bedside manner, and dedication to patient-centered care, she has received numerous teaching and service awards over the course of her career.

Dr. Jones has played a vital role in surgical education, serving as associate residency program director and enhancing curricula and training experiences for residents and medical students. Later in her career, she adopted minimally invasive and robotic techniques to further improve patient outcomes, building strong, collaborative teams in the process. A steadfast mentor and role model, Dr. Jones exemplifies leadership grounded in service, respect, and inclusion, creating environments where patients and trainees alike feel valued and supported.

Dr. Rosemary Kelly, a nationally recognized leader whose career has advanced cardiothoracic surgery while opening doors for women and underrepresented groups across the specialty. She is professor of surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School, executive vice chair for cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, chief of the heart and vascular service line at MHealth Fairview, and program director of the cardiovascular and thoracic surgery fellowship program. She also holds the C. Walton and Richard C. Lillehei Professorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

A dedicated mentor, Dr. Kelly supports trainees and junior faculty through formal programs and personal sponsorship, offering practical guidance on career development and work-life integration. Her research portfolio, supported by the NIH, VA, and other major agencies, includes more than 140 peer-reviewed publications spanning clinical innovation, as well as scholarship on mentorship and resilience in surgery. Clinically, she combines excellence with service, having led major cardiothoracic and transplant programs and delivered distinguished lectures at institutions dedicated to advancing women in medicine.

“Each of these women are shaping the future of cardiothoracic surgery,” said Mara Antonoff, MD, president of Women in Thoracic Surgery, “Their expertise, leadership, and dedication are driving progress in our field and opening doors for the women who will follow.”

On April 4, 2025, the STS Leadership Institute hosted a one-day session on “Leading Others” as part of its comprehensive program. This workshop focused on conflict management, leading diverse teams, and addressing both implicit and explicit biases. More than 30 early- and mid-career cardiothoracic surgeons attended, gaining valuable insights into these critical areas. 

Additionally, the session highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of wellness within medical teams. These leadership skills are vital for cardiothoracic surgeons in both academic and private practice settings, where strong leadership is key to achieving team success.

The STS Leadership Institute offers a comprehensive leadership program that includes five sessions—three virtual and two in-person—and aims to enhance participants' leadership skills in a constantly evolving healthcare landscape. Attendees benefit from numerous opportunities to engage with a distinguished faculty of expert leaders, receiving valuable insights and guidance throughout their development.

Interactive Discussions and Expert Insights on Leadership and Team Dynamics

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During “Leading Others,” participants heard from course directors Mara Antonoff, MD, and Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, who shared valuable insights on how personal growth contributes to effective team leadership. The sessions included interactive case scenarios and table discussions focused on evaluating others and managing conflict. Guest speaker Minerva Romera Arenas, MD, addressed the challenges of leading diverse teams and confronting implicit bias. Participants explored case examples to deepen their understanding and apply the concepts discussed.

"Today's sessions have been incredibly valuable, providing an opportunity to engage face-to-face in small discussion groups with peers from across the country," said participant Meghan Halub, MD. "I can see how the small table sessions will help me manage conflict and problem-solve challenging case scenarios as I transition from private practice to an academic medical center, while also preparing for the next step in my career."

Looking ahead, the Leadership Institute's virtual sessions will be held in July and October, culminating in the capstone event at STS 2026 in New Orleans next January.

Check out the event gallery. 

Coming soon: Follow the stories of our four Leadership Institute participants as they share their experiences with the program in a new blog series posted on STS.org.
 

Fifty-five STS advocates gathered in Washington, DC, on March 4 to engage with lawmakers on important policy issues, including protecting Medicare reimbursement and NIH research funding, and expanding access to lung cancer screenings. Participants from 23 states and the District of Columbia met with more than 110 Senate and House offices, while also participating in various off-the-Hill events and meetings with lawmakers.

The timing of this event was especially critical, as Washington, DC, is currently engaged in negotiations over government funding. Our advocates took this opportunity to present the priorities for the STS, its members, patients, and the communities they serve. Throughout the day, advocates worked to educate lawmakers and their staff, urging them to address the ongoing threats to research funding and physician reimbursement.

Leadership Efforts Drive Key Healthcare Legislation and Recognition

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Dr. Tessa London-Bounds, STS 2025 Advocate of the Year, along with Amanda Crabtree, RN, shared their experiences as advocates, highlighting their work to improve access to care for Kentucky patients. Their advocacy efforts led to the unanimous passing of House Bill 31 by the Kentucky legislature, which allows Medicaid patients to use at-home blood testing machines. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill into law on April 4, 2024, just four months after its introduction.

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Dr. Keith Naunheim, presented Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) with the 2025 STS Legislator of the Year award. As a longtime ally for STS, Rep. Miller-Meeks has championed efforts to address cuts to Medicare physician reimbursements. She also played a key role in promoting the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act through the House of Representatives. Additionally, her leadership was instrumental in spearheading a bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter last year that garnered 232 signatures in support of physician reimbursements. 
 

During today’s "2024 STS Compensation and Member Practice Survey Update" session, STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, and Cherie Erkmen, MD, will lead a discussion on the key findings of the 2024 survey, which offers valuable insights into cardiothoracic surgeon compensation across specialties, career stages, and geographic regions.

The 2024 survey, which includes data from over 1,000 surgeons, reveals notable trends such as a 6% increase in compensation for cardiac surgeons, 9% for general thoracic surgeons, and 8% for congenital surgeons compared to 2023. It also reports a 13% female participation rate, surpassing the 11% female membership in STS, and shows participation by region aligning with the STS membership distribution.

For the second consecutive year, the survey, developed in partnership with Gallagher, explores new topics, including compensation for new physicians, employer ownership, and satisfaction with compensation. Gallagher ensures confidentiality by sharing only aggregated data to protect individual privacy.