Lui Promoted at Stanford Natalie S. Lui, MD, recently was appointed associate medical director for surgical services as part of the cancer destination service line (DSL) at Stanford Health Care in California. She will work collaboratively with cancer DSL leadership and key stakeholders throughout Stanford Medicine to ensure consistent representation of surgical oncology. Dr. Lui also is an assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford University. She has been an STS member since 2014. Thompson Is President at Nebraska Heart Richard B. Thompson, MD, MBA, took over as president of CHI Health Nebraska Heart in Lincoln. In addition to this new leadership role, he will serve as cardiothoracic surgeon, specializing in complex coronary revascularization, advanced surgical therapy for heart failure, and robotic lung surgery. Previously, Dr. Thompson worked at Bryan Heart in Lincoln, Nebraska. He has been an STS member since 2010. Kaneko Leads Cardiac Surgery at WashUMed Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD, has been named the Shoenberg Professor and chief of cardiac surgery at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, both in St. Louis, Missouri. He previously worked as surgical director of the Structural Heart Program at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate professor in surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. An STS member since 2014, Dr. Kaneko chairs the STS/ACC TVT Research and Publications Subcommittee and is vice chair of the STS Workforce on Technology and Innovation. Argote-Greene Begins Position in Florida Luis M. Argote-Greene, MD, is the new regional director of thoracic and esophageal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida. Most recently, he was a thoracic surgeon with University Hospitals and clinical assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University, both in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Argote-Greene has been an STS member since 2011. Steliga Is Named Endowed Chair Matthew A. Steliga, MD, has been named the Kent Westbrook Distinguished Chair in Surgical Oncology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)-Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock. Dr. Steliga—the division chief of thoracic surgery at the University of Arkansas and professor of surgery—led the development of the UAMS lung cancer screening and integrated tobacco cessation programs, and he is involved in the development of the UAMS mobile lung screening program. Dr. Steliga also will continue to serve as associate program director for the UAMS Surgery Residency Program. He has been an STS member since 2010. Han Honored for Exceptional Patient Care Jason J. Han, MD, received the Don Liu Humanism Hero in Surgery Award from Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This award recognizes a member of the Penn surgical staff who exhibits compassion and sensitivity in the care of the surgical patient in a collegial, collaborative, selfless, and ethical manner. Dr. Han was selected by the chairman and vice chair of education based on peer and faculty nominations. He has been an STS member since 2018. Hoff Moves to Miami Steven J. Hoff, MD, has joined the Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute in Florida. Previously, he served as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center and associate professor of surgery at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando. Dr. Hoff also was part of the team at the Orlando Health Heart & Vascular Institute. He has been an STS member since 2000.
Sep 30, 2022
3 min read

STS Legislator of the Year Award honors visionary leadership and outstanding achievement

WASHINGTON, DC (September 14, 2022) — Congresswoman Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA)—named Legislator of the Year by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons during a ceremony on Thursday—was recognized for her commitment to promoting health care and advancing legislation and policies that impact cardiothoracic surgeons and their patients.

Sep 12, 2022
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Career Development Blog
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4 min read
Brian A. Mitzman, MD

STS Distinguished Service Award recognizes dedication to the Society and the specialty

CHICAGO (January 30, 2022) — In recognition of extraordinary efforts and steadfast service, Joseph A. Dearani, MD, and Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, each have been presented with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2022 Distinguished Service Award at the Society’s 58th Annual Meeting.

Jan 28, 2022

STS award recognizes outstanding scientific contributions to cardiothoracic surgery

CHICAGO (January 29, 2022) — Internationally recognized medical researcher, surgeon, and professor Thomas K. Waddell, MD, MSc, PhD, today was honored with the 2022 Earl Bakken Scientific Achievement Award from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons during the organization’s 58th Annual Meeting. 

Jan 28, 2022

Cardiac surgery chair at Cedars-Sinai takes the helm of STS journals 

CHICAGO (December 13, 2021) — The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has appointed Joanna Chikwe, MD, FRCS, as the new Editor-in-Chief of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and its soon-to-be-launched open access journal, Annals Short Reports. She will step into this role on January 1, 2022.

Dec 13, 2021

STS Legislator of the Year Award honors visionary leadership and outstanding achievement

WASHINGTON, DC (May 21, 2021) — US Senator John Boozman (R-AR) was named Legislator of the Year by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons during a virtual ceremony on Thursday for his outstanding legislative contributions that impact cardiothoracic surgeons and their patients.

May 17, 2021
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Career Development Blog
Beyond becoming a member of professional societies, there are innumerable opportunities to get involved in their leadership.
6 min read
Mara B. Antonoff, MD
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Career Development Blog

There comes a time in every leader’s job where a crisis emerges. In the Oxford English dictionary, the word “crisis” is defined as “a time of great danger, difficulty, or confusion when problems must be solved or important decisions must be made.”

9 min read
Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS
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Career Development Blog

Congratulations on becoming a credentialed cardiothoracic surgeon. I hope that you continue to find meaning in your work. You have and will continue to serve not only as an inspiration, but also as a bridge for trainees (like me) to the world of cardiothoracic surgery.

3 min read
Clauden Louis, MD
David M. Shahian, MD and Keith S. Naunheim, MD join Dr. Varghese to discuss the motivation for developing surgeon-level outcomes metrics and why it’s important.
39 min.
Richard L. Prager, MD noted that surgeons must embrace their failures and always think about getting better—not winning, but getting better—in order to be successful.
50 min.