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Ann Thorac Surg 2003;76:S68
© 2003 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
a Dallas, Texas, USA
* Address reprint requests to Mrs Urschel, c/o Dr Harold C. Urschel, Jr, Baylor University Medical Center, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 3600 Gaston Ave, Suite 1201, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
e-mail: urschelbb{at}post.harvard.edu
Presented at the 50th Anniversary of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, Bonita Springs, FL, Nov 14, 2003.
Fifty years ago, during the infancy of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, the old saying went "Behind every great man stands an outstanding woman" or more humorously, "Behind every great man stands a surprised Mother-in-law"! Today, a half century later, we say, "Beside every great man stands a talented and loving woman." In addition, throughout these years, we have added women to the ranks of cardiothoracic surgeons who have male spouses and so additional changes are in order.
When I first began coming to the STSA meetings 40 years ago as a young wife who would rear five children, I was warmly welcomed by this organization, which emphasized the importance of the role of the spouse as part of her husband's vital family team. The STSA was the first to recognize and honor its women among the existing cardiothoracic organizations and became a model for others such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Western Thoracic Surgical Association, which formed later. How special it was to look forward to our yearly royal treatment, especially since this group chose such tantalizing spots in which to hold their scientific sessions, again one-upping the others until the Western was formed and adopted our strategies.
Attending the STSA taught us the "joy of learning" as we came to understand the humorous, creative side of heart and chest surgery and developed an expert eye or ear for critique of every presentation we would ever hear or give forevermore. The Tiki Award imprinted upon our brains the importance of an effective slide or PowerPoint presentation and I can remember our sidesplitting laughter during the annual banquet roast of the various nominees. The Osler Abbott Award demonstrated the skills vital to a clear, constructive discussion of any possible issue. As the spouses moved through the past five decades becoming physicians or other noted professionals or serving on boards of trustees and as directors of volunteer charitable or educational organizations, these two methods provided us with a gold standard for excellence. We passed on these valuable approaches and techniques to all of the other associations in which we have served and thereby have enriched their abilities and effectiveness. The STSA has become a symbol of the "ripples on the stream" theory for groups worldwide.
As we celebrate this historic occasion, we spouses are the frosting on the splendid STSA 50th anniversary cake, radiating in all its glory the 50 years of research, education, and clinical care excellence that our member spouses have contributed to their patients the world over. The meaningful friendships we have forged, the bonding we have created during our several spouse courses, and our fun-loving participation in all of the fishing, golf, and tennis adventures will be treasured highlights in our book of loving memories of one of the all-time great cardiothoracic surgical societies, which continues to raise to an art form the cutting edge of patient care and cure.
No half of a century history would be complete without recognizing and lauding the remarkable group of STSA First Ladies who graciously donated a full year to plan and execute all the many social events of their Presidential Weekends. Their originality, standards of perfection, and warm graciousness made each meeting a unique and special occasion to be cherished by each of us in attendance.
We have an unparalleled feeling of endless pride in the brave "ice-breaking" women who have mastered the considerable challenges of becoming cardiothoracic surgeons and have joined the STSA membership. The legendary Carolyn Reed, MD, who became the first woman officer in the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association among her many other formidable professional feats, comes to mind as an exemplary example.
Finally hats off to each and every STSA spouse who has not only added grace and spirit to our meetings but also has provided a loving haven for our members who daily wrestle with death and extreme stress, help keep the occasional "M.Diety" degree complex under control, and reared fine families in an almost single parent atmosphere in which the patients' needs always come first. They have been a remarkable source of support, love, laughter, and strength to our very extraordinary partners.
May our celebration of our splendid alliance continue and grow as we reach out for our first century!
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