Surgical Hot Topics

STS Webinar Series: Ask STS—A Town Hall with Surgeon Leaders

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, Society President Sean C. Grondin, MD, MPH, FRCSC, moderates an interactive Q&A session about issues facing the Society and the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. Dr. Grondin and a number of STS surgeon leaders respond to member questions on a variety of topics, including: efforts to meet the educational needs of members during and after the pandemic; new awards and traveling fellowships developed by The Thoracic Surgery Foundation; plans for the in-person 2022 STS Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Florida; new initiatives to help career development and promote wellness (including the forthcoming Resilient Surgeon podcast); and ongoing advocacy efforts related to Medicare reimbursement cuts and updated lung cancer screening criteria. Panelists include: Vinay Badhwar, MD, Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, Shanda H. Blackmon, MD, MPH, Melanie A. Edwards, MD, Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, John D. Mitchell, MD, Alan M. Speir, MD, and Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS.

Beyond the Abstract: STS Advocacy Concerning CMS Reduction in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons

Hosted by Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS, the “Beyond the Abstract” program explores the “whys” behind articles in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and discusses next steps with authors and thought leaders. In the latest episode, Alan M. Speir, MD, joins Dr. Varghese to discuss “easily one of the biggest issues that impacts the care of cardiothoracic surgical patients today”—the Medicare reimbursement cuts. In December 2020, Congress approved legislation that prevented the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from implementing the cuts. But what was happening—much behind the scenes—to help earn this major victory for cardiothoracic surgeons and their patients? Dr. Varghese and Dr. Speir take a deep dive into this topic, covering the potential rationale for the “Draconian” cuts in reimbursement and the details of the close coordination and collaboration with other surgical societies that helped make a difference. Dr. Speir also shares his thoughts on future advocacy efforts. Read the related Annals article online: STS Advocacy Concerning CMS Reduction in the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons.

STS Webinar Series—The Resilient Surgeon: Strategies to Be Your Best Self, In and Out of the OR—No Matter What

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, Michael A. Maddaus MD, moderates a panel of game changers in the high-performance and wellness space, including a cardiothoracic surgeon, a former Navy Seal, and a clinical psychologist. Topics include: the crucial habits that make up the “resilience bank account,” the role of meaning, wonderment, and relationships in countering despair, and the myth of a balanced life. Panelists include: Brian Ferguson, Cynthia S. Herrington, MD, Michael A. Maddaus, MD, and Wayne M. Sotile, PhD.

STS Webinar Series—ECMO Strategies during COVID

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) strategies during COVID are discussed in this spirited and fast-paced episode of the STS Webinar Series. J.W. Awori Hayanga, MD, MPH, and an esteemed panel consider sedation or cannulation when placing a COVID patient on ECMO. They do so while addressing lessons learned during the pandemic, amidst multiple COVID surges and evolving therapeutic modalities. Topics include: the relationship between patient selection and survivability, anticoagulation strategies in COVID patients, and the challenges of weaning patients off of sedation. Panelists include: Rakesh C. Arora, MD, PhD, who also serves as a digital moderator, Subhasis Chatterjee, MD, Bo Soo Kim, MD, Jonathan W. Haft, MD, HelenMari L. Merritt-Genore, DO, and Rita C. Milewski, MD, PhD, MSEd.

Beyond the Abstract: Showcasing Your Cardiothoracic Training Program in the Virtual Era

Hosted by Thomas K. Varghese Jr., MD, MS, the “Beyond the Abstract” program explores the “whys” behind articles in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and discusses next steps with authors and thought leaders. In the latest episode—which was recorded approximately 400 days into the COVID-19 global pandemic—Mara B. Antonoff, MD, joins Dr. Varghese to discuss how the pandemic has disrupted every aspect of personal and professional life, including the ability to recruit the best and brightest to the field of cardiothoracic surgery. During the last year, many departments, divisions, and programs have had to quickly transition and “robustly” implement novel techniques and technology as travel restrictions remained the norm. What best practices have emerged? Dr. Antonoff shares what the authors uncovered in a literature review and offers advice on how programs should embrace the opportunities to innovate and engage in the virtual domain. Read the related Annals article online: Showcasing Your Cardiothoracic Training Program in the Virtual Era.

STS Webinar Series—High-Impact Studies in Cardiac Surgery: Key Takeaways

In this episode of the STS Webinar Series, Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, and an expert panel engage in a lively and robust debate on takeaways from three recent and very prominent adult cardiac surgery manuscripts. Topics include findings from the ISCHEMIA trial, 2-year outcomes in low-risk transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients, and a new guideline on the timing and intervention for patients with valvular heart disease. Panelists include Anelechi C. Anyanwu, MD, MSc, FRCS, Pavan Atluri, MD, Steven F. Bolling, MD, David A. Fullerton, MD, Katherine Harrington, MD, Marc Ruel, MD, MPH, FRCSC, and Vinod H. Thourani, MD. 

Same Surgeon, Different Light: Dr. Loretta Erhunmwunsee

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews accomplished thoracic surgical oncologist and clinical researcher Dr. Loretta Erhunmwunsee from City of Hope in Duarte, California. This episode explores her journey from an early childhood in the Bronx, New York, to growing up in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Erhunmwunsee’s experience as a “southern black Christian girl who grew up in a Nigerian home” opened her eyes to the importance of different perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. “It’s the way to win,” she shares. Listeners will learn that Dr. Erhunmwunsee chose a career in cardiothoracic surgery because “there is no place more beautiful than the chest—the beating heart, the lungs that are inflating and deflating—doing their own thing, but working in concert.” She explains her passion surrounding the removal and better understanding of cancer. Hear also what Dr. Erhunmwunsee says about sponsorship and mentorship, as well as the future of thoracic oncology and the role of multidisciplinary evaluation. “Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Patients can learn more about cardiothoracic diseases and their treatments at ctsurgerypatients.org.

Same Surgeon, Different Light: Dr. Elaine Tseng

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Elaine Tseng from the University of California San Francisco. When it comes to the triple threat in academic surgery, Dr. Tseng “walks the walk.” A surgeon, scientist, and professor, she credits encouraging words from mentors and a near-death personal experience with helping her decide on a career in cardiothoracic surgery. Listeners will hear the details of Dr. Tseng growing up in North Carolina and sometimes feeling “stuck and not understood in many ways.” When she attended a high school for gifted and talented students, Dr. Tseng became part of a diverse community full of people from many different backgrounds; there, she finally felt accepted. Dr. Tseng shares that at 16, she started college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which she describes as a “transformative experience.” And you don’t want to miss what Dr. Tseng says about the fields of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery “coming closer and closer together” and what this means for patients. “Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Patients can learn more about cardiothoracic diseases and their treatments at ctsurgerypatients.org.

STS Webinar Series—E/M Coding in 2021: Changes in Documentation and Code Selection

New codes and code changes are now in effect related to office/outpatient visits. This podcast episode provides the audio from a webinar in which Aaron M. Cheng, MD, Francis C. Nichols III, MD, and Julie R. Painter, MBA, CCVTC, CPMA, gave cardiothoracic surgeons an overview of 2021 evaluation and management (E/M) codes, including changes to history, physical exam, medical decision-making and time, and how documentation and code-level selection have been impacted. Detailed case examples and audience questions about unique coding scenarios were addressed. 

Same Surgeon, Different Light: Dr. Tom Nguyen

In this episode, Dr. David Tom Cooke interviews Dr. Tom Nguyen from the University of California San Francisco. Listeners will learn the details of Dr. Nguyen’s “classic immigrant story.” In 1975, when he and his family came to the US as political refugees from their native Vietnam, they were among the first Vietnamese to put their “feet in the soil” of this country. Dr. Nguyen shares that the difficult journey was full of “serendipity and circumstances” and shaped his life in profound ways. He learned English by watching cartoons—"Tom & Jerry" was his favorite—so much so that he chose “Tom” as his name when he became a US citizen. Why did Dr. Nguyen pursue medicine? Why not?, he asks. This career path led him away from his home of Houston, Texas, to prestigious institutions such as The Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and Columbia University. Hear what sage advice motivated Dr. Nguyen to challenge himself and learn from these different environments. And you don’t want to miss Dr. Nguyen’s predictions for the future of cardiothoracic surgery and what he thinks the specialty needs to embrace so it doesn’t become "extinct." “Same Surgeon, Different Light” is a program from the Society designed to demystify cardiothoracic surgery, revealing the men and women behind their surgical masks.

Learn more about STS diversity and inclusion efforts at sts.org/diversity.

Patients can learn more about cardiothoracic diseases and their treatments at ctsurgerypatients.org.