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Ann Thorac Surg 2002;74:1-2
© 2002 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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President’s page

Take advantage of changes in STS structure and membership

^a The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, USA

* Address reprint requests to Dr Baumgartner, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N Wolfe St, Blalock 618, Baltimore, MD, USA
e-mail: wbaumgar@csurg.jhmi.jhu.edu

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

In January The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) membership overwhelmingly approved the leadership’s recommended changes to the governance structure of the Society as well as changes to membership eligibility requirements. Both enhancements to the Society’s operations have provided for a more inclusive society that encourages member participation in the advancement of the mission of the STS—Help Cardiothoracic Surgeons Serve Patients Better.

An inclusive membership

The Society and its members have always encouraged cardiothoracic surgeons interested in benefiting from the many products and services the STS has to offer to apply for membership. The Society’s membership categories of Active, International, Senior, and Candidate allow thoracic surgeons to take advantage of the STS’ strength in the legislature and continue their medical education no matter at what point he or she is in his/her medical career. Past membership requirements such as an American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) certified surgeon needing to have been in practice for 3 years before being eligible to apply, did restrict a prospective member’s ability to join the STS. However, at this year’s Annual Business Meeting, several changes to the membership requirements were approved by the STS membership that ultimately opened the door for new and established thoracic surgeons alike to join the STS.

Cardiothoracic Surgeons can now make application to the STS for membership immediately after receiving their ABTS certification, American Osteopathic Board of Surgery certification, or certification as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgery or its equivalency. The 3-year practice requirement has been eliminated. . . . [Full Text of this Article]