Forty-Eighth Annual Meeting, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Abstract

The Forty-Eighth Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons was held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, January 29–February 1, 2012. More than 4,000 attended, including surgeons, allied health care professionals, and exhibitors. Attendees of the STS Annual Meeting had the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational sessions, including Parallel Surgical Forums, Ticketed Breakfast Sessions, Surgical Video Matinees, and STS University.The Monday morning General Scientific Session featured three J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Papers, the most highly rated papers of the Annual Meeting, which were selected for their appeal to each subspecialty: General Thoracic Surgery—“Amiodarone Prophylaxis for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Lung Cancer—A Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial;” Adult Cardiac Surgery—“Long-Term Outcome of Isolated Mitral Repair in Older Patients—Results From 14,604 Procedures Performed From 1991 to 2007;” and Congenital Heart Surgery—“Changing Expectations for Neurological Outcomes After the Neonatal Arterial Switch Operation.”Of particular note were four highly motivational presentations: the Presidential Address, Thomas B. Ferguson Lecture, Lillehei Lecture, and Ethics Debate. In his Presidential Address, “If This Were My Last Speech, What Would I Say?,” Michael J. Mack, MD, stressed that the privilege of performing surgery comes with the responsibility to strive for improvement. He urged his colleagues to push boundaries with the mindset that innovation is not optional, but a requirement.The Thomas B. Ferguson Lecture was given by Jeffrey E. Shuren, MD, JD, Director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Dr Shuren's talk gave an insider's perspective on how government regulation and device innovation work.The C. Walton Lillehei Lecture was presented by STS International Director Friedrich W. Mohr, MD. Dr Mohr's presentation, “Hands Across the Ocean—Revisited,” focused on how changes in the medical device landscape mean that regulators have to come to a delicate balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring safety.In addition to these annual lectures, this year, David R. Holmes, MD, President of the American College of Cardiology, delivered a special presentation exploring cross-specialty collaboration between cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists. Dr Holmes focused on cross-specialty collaboration in hybrid operating rooms in relation to the latest developments with transcatheter aortic valve replacement therapy.The Ethics Debate, “Sleep Deprived Surgeons Should Not be Allowed to Operate Without Patients' Consent,” focused on a surgeon's dilemma: Should the surgeon gain the patient's written consent and offer the patient options or allow the judgment to remain with the surgeon? Two experienced surgeons gave opposing answers to this dilemma.In addition to these presentations, the Workforce on Patient Safety offered another important patient safety parallel session, and the Workforce on Associate Membership introduced a new symposium that highlighted the importance of the interdisciplinary team in cardiac and thoracic surgery. New this year, the Workforce on Annual Meeting accepted late-breaking abstracts to be presented in four new parallel sessions.This year there were several sessions that were developed in collaboration with other organizations, including STS/AATS Tech-Con 2012, the STS/AATS/SVS: What's New in Peripheral Vascular Disease Management; STS/SCA: Intraoperative Echo and Decision Making in Cardiovascular Surgery; a parallel session: ACC at STS; and a breakfast session, Managing Your CV: Tips for Career Planning, developed with input from Women in Thoracic Surgery.Wrapping up the STS 48th Annual Meeting was STS University. More than 800 people registered for 11 sessions. This year's sessions were held twice and ranged from a hands-on course on mitral valve repair to a course on novel techniques in esophageal and tracheal surgery. STS University provided an opportunity for registrants to learn the latest techniques of cardiothoracic surgery through hands-on procedural education taught by world-renowned instructors.Once again, physicians and non-physicians will have the opportunity to earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit at home or in the office. The STS 48th Annual Meeting Online includes the majority of the sessions from the live conference, including the surgical symposia, general sessions, parallel surgical forums, surgical motion pictures, and ethics debate. This activity will be available for CME credit until February 1, 2013. In addition to the STS 48th Annual Meeting Online, STS is pleased to offer the STS/AATS Tech-Con 2012 Online. All of the educational tracks from STS/AATS Tech-Con 2012 have been captured and are available to view online for CME credit. For more information or to purchase these online products, please visit www.sts.org.The success of the STS 48th Annual Meeting was due in large part to the exemplary commitment of the Workforce on Annual Meeting under the leadership of Todd M. Dewey, MD (Workforce Chair), Traves D. Crabtree, MD (STS University Task Force Co-Chair), Douglas R. Johnston, MD (STS University Task Force Co-Chair), Emile A. Bacha, MD (Surgical Symposia Task Force Co-Chair), Andrew C. Chang, MD (Surgical Symposia Task Force Co-Chair), Michael A. Acker, MD (Tech-Con Task Force Co-Chair), and Robert J. Cerfolio, MD (Tech-Con Task Force Co-Chair).Prior to the STS 48th Annual Meeting, STS/AATS Tech-Con 2012 welcomed more than 1000 attendees. The Tech-Con Task Force did an excellent job putting together a program that encompassed new technologies and emerging trends. The cardiac and thoracic tracks covered heart failure, esophageal surgery, and minimally invasive techniques for coronary artery bypass and aortic surgery. These tracks also included invited lectures, as well as many debates on topics such as “Should LVADS be Done for Class IIIB” and “Should TAVR be Approved for High-Risk Operative Patients With Aortic Stenosis.”The following officers were elected at the annual Business Meeting: Jeffery B. Rich, MD, President; Douglas E. Wood, MD, First Vice President; David A. Fullerton, MD, Second Vice President and Secretary; Keith S. Naunheim, MD, Secretary Elect; Robert S. D. Higgins, MD, Treasurer; and Nicholas T. Kouchoukas, MD was re-elected Historian. Cameron D. Wright, MD was elected as a Director-at-Large, and John H. Calhoon, MD was re-elected as a Director-at-Large.Complete rosters of the STS Board of Directors, Standing Committees, Council Operating Boards, Workforces, Annual Meeting Task Forces, and The Annals Editorial Board follow this report. The Society extends its appreciation to retiring STS officers, directors, Committee members, and Workforce members for their dedicated service.STS membership elected 132 Active and 98 International Members this year. During 2011, 83 Candidate, 90 Associate, and 57 Pre-Candidate Members were also admitted as part of the rolling admissions process. The Society now has more than 6,400 members.STS would like to thank the many member volunteers and their supportive families for their commitment to the specialty, as well as for the hard work and long hours they put into developing and implementing this highly successful meeting.The STS 49th Annual Meeting will be held January 26–30, 2013, in Los Angeles, California.2012–2013 STS Leadership StructureBoard of DirectorsPresidentJeffrey B. Rich, Norfolk, VAFirst Vice PresidentDouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WASecond Vice President and SecretaryDavid A. Fullerton, Aurora, COSecretary-ElectKeith S. Naunheim, St. Louis, MOTreasurerRobert S. D. Higgins, Columbus, OHImmediate Past PresidentMichael J. Mack, Dallas, TXInternational DirectorFriedrich W. Mohr, Leipzig, GermanyCanadian DirectorChristopher A. Caldarone, Toronto, ON, CanadaResident DirectorJennifer S. Nelson, Ann Arbor, MIDirectors-at-LargeWalter H. Merrill (2013), Jackson, MSRichard J. Shemin (2013), Los Angeles, CAMark S. Allen (2014), Rochester, MNJoseph F. Sabik III (2014), Cleveland, OHJohn H. Calhoon (2015), San Antonio, TXCameron D. Wright (2015), Boston, MAEditorL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Philadelphia, PAHistorianNicholas T. Kouchoukos, St. Louis, MOExecutive CommitteeJeffrey B. Rich, Chair, Norfolk, VADavid A. Fullerton, Aurora, CORobert S. D. Higgins, Columbus, OHMichael J. Mack, Dallas, TXKeith S. Naunheim, St. Louis, MODouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WAFinance CommitteeJohn E. Mayer, Jr, Chair, Boston, MADavid A. Fullerton, Ex-Officio, Aurora, CORobert S. D. Higgins, Ex-Officio, Columbus, OHDouglas E. Wood, Ex-Officio, Seattle, WAW. Randolph Chitwood, Jr, Greenville, NCDouglas J. Mathisen, Boston, MAMembership CommitteeConstantine Mavroudis, Chair, Orlando, FLLeah M. Backhus, Seattle, WAGail E. Darling, Toronto, ON, CanadaKamal R. Khabbaz, Boston, MAJeffrey C. Milliken, Orange, CAMichael G. Moront, Toledo, OHWilson Y. Szeto, Philadelphia, PAJoseph B. Zwischenberger, Lexington, KYNominating CommitteeJohn E. Mayer, Jr, Chair (2013), Boston, MAW. Randolph Chitwood, Jr (2014), Greenville, NCGordon F. Murray (2015), Southport, NCDouglas J. Mathisen (2016), Boston, MAMichael J. Mack (2017), Dallas, TXJeffrey B. Rich, Ex-Officio, Non-Voting (2018), Norfolk, VAStandards and Ethics CommitteeRichard I. Whyte, Chair, Boston, MAMichael J. Mack, Ex-Officio, Dallas, TXCharles R. Bridges, Charlotte, NCThomas A. D'Amico, Durham, NCKathleen N. Fenton, Silver Spring, MDMark K. Ferguson, Chicago, ILJohn W. Hammon, Winston-Salem, NCJames Jaggers, Aurora, COLeslie J. Kohman, Syracuse, NYJeffrey B. Kramer, Kansas City, KSSidney Levitsky, Boston, MAWalter H. Merrill, Jackson, MSBryan F. Meyers, St. Louis, MOMark B. Orringer, Ann Arbor, MICouncil on Education and Member Services Operating BoardDavid R. Jones (2014), Council ChairJohn S. Ikonomidis, Chair, Workforce on Adult Cardiac and Vascular SurgeryJohn V. Conte, Chair, Workforce on Annual MeetingWalter H. Merrill, Chair, Workforce on Associate Membership & Ex-OfficioThomas E. MacGillivray, Chair, Workforce on Clinical EducationJames S. Tweddell, Chair, Workforce on Congenital Heart SurgeryDavid A. Fullerton, Chair, Workforce on Critical CareSean C. Grondin, Chair, Workforce on General Thoracic SurgeryJoseph E. Bavaria, Chair, Workforce on New TechnologyVinay Badhwar, Chair, Workforce on Practice ManagementJoseph A. Dearani, Chair, Workforce on Surgical Treatment of Adults with Congenital Heart DiseaseFrancis D. Pagani, Chair, Workforce on Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Cardiopulmonary DiseaseAra A. Vaporciyan, Chair, Workforce on Thoracic Surgery Resident IssuesJames I. Fann, Appointed MemberJenifer L. Marks, Resident AppointeeL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Ex-OfficioJeffrey B. Rich, Ex-OfficioRichard J. Shemin, Ex-OfficioWorkforce on Adult Cardiac and Vascular SurgeryJohn S. Ikonomidis, Chair, Charleston, SCNiv Ad, Falls Church, VAGabriel S. Aldea, Seattle, WAMichael Argenziano, New York, NYAubrey C. Galloway, Jr, New York, NYRobert C. Hagberg, Boston, MARobert L. Kormos, Pittsburgh, PAThomas E. MacGillivray, Boston, MATomislav Mihaljevic, Cleveland, OHRobert C. Robbins, Stanford, CAEric E. Roselli, Cleveland, OHRamesh Singh, Louisville, KYElaine E. Tseng, San Francisco, CAWorkforce on Annual MeetingJohn V. Conte, Chair, Baltimore, MDErle H. Austin III, Louisville, KYFrank C. Detterbeck, New Haven, CTGregory P. Fontana, New York, NYVinod H. Thourani, Atlanta, GAWorkforce on Annual Meeting (Program Task Force)John V. Conte, Chair, Baltimore, MDVinay Badhwar, Pittsburgh, PATodd M. Dewey, Dallas, TXMichael P. Fischbein, Stanford, CAJames Jaggers, Aurora, COChristine L. Lau, Charlottesville, VAThomas E. MacGillivray, Boston, MAJohn D. Mitchell, Aurora, COK. Robert Shen, Rochester, MNAlan M. Speir, Falls Church, VAWilson Y. Szeto, Philadelphia, PAThomas K. Varghese, Jr, Seattle, WAWorkforce on Annual Meeting (STS University Task Force)Vinod H. Thourani, Chair, Atlanta, GARobert J. Cerfolio, Birmingham, ALJames R. Edgerton, Dallas, TXHarold G. Roberts, Jr, Fort Lauderdale, FLNicholas G. Smedira, Cleveland, OHTodd S. Weiser, New York, NYDavid D. Yuh, New Haven, CTWorkforce on Annual Meeting (Surgical Symposia Task Force)Erle H. Austin III, Co-Chair, Louisville, KYFrank C. Detterbeck, Co-Chair, New Haven, CTMark S. Bleiweis, Gainesville, FLMoishe A. Liberman, Montreal, QC, CanadaRalph S. Mosca, New York, NYRichard I. Whyte, Boston, MAWorkforce on Annual Meeting (Tech-Con Task Force) *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representative specified with an asterisk*Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representative specified with an asteriskGregory P. Fontana, Chair, New York, NYArvind K. Agnihotri, Boston, MAMichael Argenziano, New York, NYShanda H. Blackmon, Houston, TXMarc de Perrot, Toronto, ON, CanadaRobert W. Emery, Jr, St. Paul, MNRobert C. Hagberg, Boston, MAAli Khoynezhad, *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representative specified with an asterisk Los Angeles, CAJonathan M. Philpott, Norfolk, VAWorkforce on Associate MembershipWalter H. Merrill, Chair, Jackson, MSDiane E. Alejo, Baltimore, MDFaisal H. Cheema, New York, NYRobert F. Dunton, Portsmouth, VAShannon R. Foiles, Peoria, ILKelly C. Gustafson, Morgantown, WVM. LaWaun Hance, Ann Arbor, MIElizabeth Hupp, Morgantown, WVSvetlana Kotova, Boston, MASylvia M. Laudun, New Orleans, LASidney W. Lavender II, Winston-Salem, NCThomas E. MacGillivray, Boston, MARichard L. Prager, Ann Arbor, MIHarmik J. Soukiasian, Los Angeles, CABrandon H. Tieu, Portland, ORDebra E. Wilcox, Denver, COWorkforce on Clinical EducationThomas E. MacGillivray, Chair, Boston, MAFaisal G. Bakaeen, Houston, TXEdward M. Bender, Cape Girardeau, MODavid T. Cooke, Sacramento, CAClaude Deschamps, Rochester, MNKevin L. Greason, Rochester, MNRobert L. Kormos, Pittsburgh, PAJohn R. Mehall, Colorado Springs, COCarlos M. Mery, Charlottesville, VAAra A. Vaporciyan, Houston, TXWorkforce on Congenital Heart SurgeryJames S. Tweddell, Chair, Milwaukee, WIJonathan M. Chen, New York, NYJuan V. Comas, Madrid, SpainJ. William Gaynor, Philadelphia, PARobert A. Gustafson, Morgantown, WVJames Jaggers, Aurora, COKirk R. Kanter, Atlanta, GAAditya K. Kaza, Salt Lake City, UTDavid M. McMullan, Seattle, WAEric N. Mendeloff, Dallas, TXBret A. Mettler, Nashville, TNGeorge E. Sarris, Athens, GreeceGlen S. Van Arsdell, Toronto, ON, CanadaJason A. Williams, Durham, NCWorkforce on Critical CareDavid A. Fullerton, Chair, Aurora, COJohn H. Calhoon, San Antonio, TXAaron M. Cheng, Seattle, WANevin M. Katz, Baltimore, MDKevin W. Lobdell, Charlotte, NCDan J. Raz, Los Angeles, CAValerie W. Rusch, New York, NYGlenn J.R. Whitman, Baltimore, MDDouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WAWorkforce on General Thoracic SurgerySean C. Grondin, Chair, Calgary, AB, CanadaShanda H. Blackmon, Houston, TXMatthew G. Blum, Colorado Springs, COYolonda L. Colson, Boston, MAStephen R. Hazelrigg, Springfield, ILMichael S. Mulligan, Seattle, WAChristopher J. Mutrie, Boston, MAJoseph R. Newton, Jr, Norfolk, VAAllan Pickens, Atlanta, GAGaetano Rocco, Naples, ItalyThomas K. Waddell, Toronto, ON, CanadaRichard I. Whyte, Boston, MAWorkforce on New Technology *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk*Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asteriskJoseph E. Bavaria, Chair, Philadelphia, PADavid H. Adams, New York, NYFrederick Chen, *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk Boston, MAWilliam E. Cohn, Houston, TXPedro J. del Nido, Boston, MAHiran C. Fernando, Boston, MAEnrico R. Ferrari, Lausanne, SwitzerlandRaja M. Flores, New York, NYJames S. Gammie, *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk Baltimore, MDShaf H. Keshavjee, Toronto, ON, CanadaZachary N. Kon, Baltimore, MDRobert L. Kormos, Pittsburgh, PAJohn C. Laschinger, Silver Spring, MDR. Scott Mitchell, Stanford, CAFriedrich W. Mohr, Leipzig, GermanyNahush A. Mokadam, Seattle, WAChristopher R. Morse, Boston, MAJonathan M. Philpott, Norfolk, VAVinod H. Thourani, Atlanta, GAMathew R. Williams, New York, NYDavid D. Yuh, *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk New Haven, CTWorkforce on Practice ManagementVinay Badhwar, Chair, Pittsburgh, PAMatthew G. Blum, Colorado Springs, COGreg A. Bowman, Pueblo, COAlfred S. Casale, Wilkes-Barre, PARobert W. Emery, Jr, St. Paul, MNFrank L. Fazzalari, Rochester, MIPaul S. Levy, Albuquerque, NMJoseph R. Newton, Jr, Norfolk, VAV. Seenu Reddy, Nashville, TNWilliam H. Ryan, Dallas, TXHassan A. Tetteh, Bethesda, MDWorkforce on Surgical Treatment of Adults With Congenital Heart DiseaseJoseph A. Dearani, Chair, Rochester, MNEmile A. Bacha, New York, NYChristopher A. Caldarone, Toronto, ON, CanadaDavid N. Campbell, Aurora, COJeffrey P. Jacobs, St. Petersburg, FLBrian E. Kogon, Atlanta, GAThomas E. MacGillivray, Boston, MAWalter H. Merrill, Jackson, MSJennifer S. Nelson, Ann Arbor, MIFrank A. Pigula, Boston, MAWorkforce on Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Cardiopulmonary DiseaseFrancis D. Pagani, Chair, Ann Arbor, MIMichael A. Acker, Philadelphia, PAMargarita T. Camacho, Newark, NJTodd M. Dewey, Dallas, TXSeth D. Force, Atlanta, GAEdwin C. McGee, Jr, Chicago, ILMichael F. McGrath, Norfolk, VABryan F. Meyers, St. Louis, MONahush A. Mokadam, Seattle, WANicholas G. Smedira, Cleveland, OHYoshiya Toyoda, Philadelphia, PAAfrica F. Wallace, Pittsburgh, PAMichael J. Weyant, Aurora, COWorkforce on Thoracic Surgery Resident IssuesAra A. Vaporciyan, Chair, Houston, TXCraig J. Baker, Los Angeles, CAThomas M. Beaver, Gainesville, FLEdward P. Chen, Atlanta, GAElizabeth A. David, Houston, TXJames I. Fann, Stanford, CAMichael P. Fischbein, Stanford, CADavid A. Fullerton, Aurora, COCynthia S. Herrington, Los Angeles, CAMark D. Iannettoni, Iowa City, IAMichael E. Jessen, Dallas, TXAditya K. Kaza, Salt Lake City, UTSandra L. Starnes, Cincinnati, OHLeora Tesche, Chapel Hill, NCCurt Tribble, Jackson, MSCouncil on Quality, Research, and Patient Safety Operating BoardFrederick L. Grover (2013), Council ChairJohn D. Mitchell, Chair, Workforce on Evidence Based SurgeryDavid M. Shahian, Chair, Workforce on National DatabasesM. Blair Marshall, Chair, Workforce on Patient SafetyWinfield J. Wells, Chair, Workforce on Peer Review and EvaluationFred H. Edwards, Chair, Workforce on Research DevelopmentMark B. Orringer, Appointed MemberRobert C. Robbins, Appointed MemberShinichi Takamoto, Appointed MemberStephanie L. Mick, Resident AppointeeJohn H. Calhoon, Ex-OfficioCameron D. Wright, Ex-OfficioWorkforce on Evidence Based SurgeryJohn D. Mitchell, Chair, Aurora, COGabriel S. Aldea, Seattle, WAFaisal G. Bakaeen, Houston, TXAyesha S. Bryant, Birmingham, ALAlfred S. Casale, Wilkes-Barre, PADean M. Donahue, Boston, MAJessica S. Donington, New York, NYJohn R. Handy, Portland, ORDavid H. Harpole, Durham, NCMoishe A. Liberman, Montreal, QC, CanadaDonald E. Low, Seattle, WAJenifer L. Marks, Houston, TXRobert E. Merritt, Palo Alto, CABret A. Mettler, Nashville, TNDan M. Meyer, Dallas, TXSusan D. Moffatt-Bruce, Columbus, OHT. Brett Reece, Aurora, COTodd K. Rosengart, Stony Brook, NYMichael A. Smith, Phoenix, AZVinod H. Thourani, Atlanta, GAThomas K. Varghese, Jr, Seattle, WAWorkforce on National DatabasesDavid M. Shahian, Chair, Boston, MAArvind K. Agnihotri, Boston, MAGabriel S. Aldea, Seattle, WAChristopher A. Caldarone, Toronto, ON, CanadaAndrew C. Chang, Ann Arbor, MIJoseph C. Cleveland, Jr, Aurora, CORichard S. D'Agostino, Burlington, MALucas M. Duvall, San Antonio, TXChristopher M. Feindel, Toronto, ON, CanadaKristine J. Guleserian, Dallas, TXLoren F. Hiratzka, Cincinnati, OHKeith A. Horvath, Bethesda, MDMarshall L. Jacobs, Newtown Square, PAA. Pieter Kappetein, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsMark R. Katlic, Baltimore, MDBenjamin D. Kozower, Charlottesville, VAJohn C. Kucharczuk, Philadelphia, PAJ. Scott Rankin, Nashville, TNDaniel P. Raymond, Cleveland, OHJoseph F. Sabik III, Cleveland, OHJoseph B. Shrager, Stanford, CAA. Laurie W. Shroyer, Stony Brook, NYAlan M. Speir, Falls Church, VAWorkforce on Patient SafetyM. Blair Marshall, Chair, Washington, DCEmile A. Bacha, New York, NYWilliam R. Berry, Boston, MAJ. Michael DiMaio, Dallas, TXJames I. Fann, Stanford, CAT. Sloane Guy, Philadelphia, PAMichael S. Kent, Boston, MATheolyn N. Price, Orlando, FLK. Robert Shen, Rochester, MNFelix W. Tsai, Norfolk, VAPaul N. Uhlig, Wichita, KSWorkforce on Peer Review and EvaluationWinfield J. Wells, Chair, Los Angeles, CAGabriel S. Aldea, Seattle, WACarl L. Backer, Chicago, ILThomas A. Burdon, Stanford, CARichard H. Feins, Chapel Hill, NCCharles D. Fraser, Jr, Houston, TXFrederick L. Grover, Aurora, CONicholas T. Kouchoukos, St. Louis, MODonald E. Low, Seattle, WADavid M. Shahian, Boston, MAAnthony J. Tortolani, New York, NYJames S. Tweddell, Milwaukee, WIRichard I. Whyte, Stanford, CAWorkforce on Research DevelopmentFred H. Edwards, Chair, Jacksonville, FLPedro J. del Nido, Boston, MAMichael P. Fischbein, Stanford, CADavid A. Fullerton, Aurora, COJames S. Gammie, Baltimore, MDKeith A. Horvath, Bethesda, MDJeffrey P. Jacobs, St. Petersburg, FLDavid R. Jones, Charlottesville, VAM. Blair Marshall, Washington, DCGregory D. Rushing, Baltimore, MDDavid M. Shahian, Boston, MACouncil on Health Policy and Relationships Operating BoardSidney Levitsky (2014), Council ChairPeter K. Smith, Chair, Workforce on Coding and ReimbursementT. Bruce Ferguson, Jr, Chair, Workforce on Health Policy, Reform, and AdvocacyA. Pieter Kappetein, Chair, Workforce on International RelationshipsKeith S. Naunheim, Chair, Workforce on Media Relations and CommunicationsJohn V. Conte, Appointed MemberAlan M. Speir, Appointed MemberChad N. Stasik, Resident AppointeeMark S. Allen, Ex-OfficioJoseph F. Sabik III, Ex-OfficioDouglas E. Wood, Ex-OfficioWorkforce on Health Policy, Reform, and Advocacy *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk*Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asteriskT. Bruce Ferguson, Jr, Chair, Greenville, NCArvind K. Agnihotri, Boston, MAMichael K. Banbury, Newark, DEWilliam A. Baumgartner, Baltimore, MDShanda H. Blackmon, Houston, TXDuke E. Cameron, Baltimore, MDYvonne M. Carter, Washington, DCAdnan Cobanoglu, Cleveland, OHJennifer L. Ellis, Washington, DCJ. Awori Hayanga, Seattle, WAWilliam L. Holman, *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk Birmingham, ALKeith A. Horvath, Bethesda, MDDavid R. Jones, Charlottesville, VAAlan P. Kypson, Greenville, NCStephen J. Lahey, Farmington, CTChristine L. Lau, *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk Charlottesville, VARichard Lee, Chicago, ILM. Blair Marshall, Washington, DCJohn E. Mayer, Jr, Boston, MAPatrick M. McCarthy, Chicago, ILScott J. Millikan, Billings, MTDao M. Nguyen, Miami, FLAlan M. Speir, Falls Church, VAJess L. Thompson, Tucson, AZS. Russell Vester, Cincinnati, OHRichard I. Whyte, *Joint STS/AATS activity; AATS representatives specified with an asterisk Boston, MAWorkforce on International RelationshipsA. Pieter Kappetein, Chair, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsZohair Y. Al-Halees, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaGraciano Castillo-Ortega, Hermosillo, Sonora, MexicoHaiquan Chen, Shanghai, ChinaAdnan Cobanoglu, Cleveland, OHJose Ribas De Campos, São Paulo, BrazilAli Dodge-Khatami, Hamburg, GermanyEnrico R. Ferrari, Lausanne, SwitzerlandDaniel Fink, Jerusalem, IsraelJ. Awori Hayanga, Seattle, WAChuen Neng Lee, Singapore, SingaporeLaureano Molins, Barcelona, SpainChittoor B. Sai-Sudhakar, Columbus, OHTomas A. Salerno, Miami, FLMoritz C. Wyler von Ballmoos, Milwaukee, WIWorkforce on Media Relations and CommunicationsKeith S. Naunheim, Chair, St. Louis, MOKevin D. Accola, Orlando, FLLeah M. Backhus, Seattle, WARobbin G. Cohen, Los Angeles, CAJames R. Edgerton, Dallas, TXEmily A. Farkas, St. Louis, MOFrederick L. Grover, Aurora, COSteven W. Guyton, Portland, ORRobert S. D. Higgins, Columbus, OHMichael J. Mack, Dallas, TXJohn E. Mayer, Jr, Boston, MAJoe B. Putnam, Jr, Nashville, TNLodze Quitel, New York, NYCarolyn E. Reed, Charleston, SCRobert C. Robbins, Stanford, CATodd K. Rosengart, Stony Brook, NYThoralf M. Sundt, Boston, MAWorkforce on Coding and ReimbursementPeter K. Smith, Chair, Durham, NCJohn C. Alexander, Jr, Evanston, ILAaron M. Cheng, Seattle, WAJoseph C. Cleveland, Jr, Aurora, COJeffrey P. Jacobs, St. Petersburg, FLG. Gilbert Johnston, Tacoma, WAKirk R. Kanter, Atlanta, GAVigneshwar Kasirajan, Richmond, VAStephen J. Lahey, Farmington, CTJames M. Levett, Cedar Rapids, IAAlex G. Little, Tucson, AZVassyl A. Lonchyna, Chicago, ILFrancis C. Nichols, Rochester, MNV. Seenu Reddy, Nashville, TNSanjay A. Samy, Sayre, PALars G. Svensson, Cleveland, OHMichael J. Weyant, Aurora, COCameron D. Wright, Boston, MAThe Annals of Thoracic Surgery Editorial BoardEditorL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Philadelphia, PAAssociate EditorsAssociate Editors for CMEVerdi J. DiSesa, Philadelphia, PAMark K. Ferguson, Chicago, ILColleen G. Koch, Cleveland, OHConstantine Mavroudis, Cleveland, OHEthics EditorRobert M. Sade, Charleston, SCFeature Article EditorsThomas X. Aufiero, Lafayette, INDavid B. Campbell, Hershey, PAS. Bert Litwin, Boca Raton, FLThomas E. MacGillivray, Boston, MAM. Blair Marshall, Washington, DCJoseph I. Miller, Jr, Atlanta, GAJohn A. Odell, Jacksonville, FLWayne E. Richenbacher, Iowa City, IANorman J. Snow, Chicago, ILThomas J. Vander Salm, Salem, MAStatistics EditorGary L. Grunkemeier, Portland, ORSurgical Heritage EditorNicholas T. Kouchoukos, St. Louis, MOSurgical Pathology EditorJuan Rosai, Milan, ItalyEditorial BoardMark S. Allen, Rochester, MNNasser K. Altorki, New York, NYHisao Asamura, Tokyo, JapanKo Bando, Handa City Aicki, JapanStefano Benussi, Milan, ItalyWilliam J. Brawn, Birmingham, United KingdomAlessandro Brunelli, Ancona, ItalyAlbert T. Cheung, Philadelphia, PAJohn V. Conte, Baltimore, MDThomas A. D'Amico, Durham, NCSteven R. DeMeester, Los Angeles, CAJessica S. Donington, New York, NYFred H. Edwards, Jacksonville, FLAnthony L. Estrera, Houston, TXJames S. Gammie, Baltimore, MDRobert C. Gorman, Glenolden, PAMichael Grimm, Vienna, AustriaEugene A. Grossi, New York, NYGeorge L. Hicks, Rochester, NYJennifer C. Hirsch, Ann Arbor, MIMarshall L. Jacobs, Philadelphia, PAMichael E. Jessen, Dallas, TXDavid R. Jones, Charlottesville, VAA. Pieter Kappetein, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsKi-Bong Kim, Seoul, Republic of KoreaJames K. Kirklin, Birmingham, ALArkalgud Sampath Kumar, Delhi, IndiaMichael J. Mack, Dallas, TXTomislav Mihaljevic, Cleveland, OHR. Scott Mitchell, Stanford, CAYoshifumi Naka, New York, NYLouis P. Perrault, Montreal, QC, CanadaMark B. Ratcliffe, San Francisco, CAGaetano Rocco, Naples, ItalyMarc Ruel, Ottawa, ON, CanadaShunji Sano, Okayama, JapanJoseph B. Shrager, Stanford, CAPatricia A. Thistlethwaite, San Diego, CAVinod H. Thourani, Atlanta, GAGlen S. Van Arsdell, Toronto, ON, CanadaPascal R. Vouhe, Paris, FranceThomas K. Waddell, Toronto, ON, CanadaThomas Walther, Bad Nauheim, GermanySong Wan, Hong Kong, ChinaCameron D. Wright, Boston, MAQing-yu Wu, Beijing, ChinaNew MembersActiveIbrahim AbdullahNewton, MASaber AboelnazarEdmonton, AB, CanadaPrasad AdusumilliNew York, NYMatthew AgnewDavis, CAMehmet AkayChesterfield, MOAlec AkbarovGreenwood, SCMehdi Akhavan-HeidariWheeling, WVAdanna C. AkujuoClinton, NYAbdullah A. AlghamdiRiyadh, Saudi ArabiaMir Wasif AliCedar Rapids, IAMatthew ArnesonWichita, KSRakesh C. AroraWinnipeg, MB, CanadaPavan AtluriPhiladelphia, PAAnthony AzakieSan Francisco, CAJoshua N. BakerBoston, MAFarzaneh BankiHouston, TXAditya BansalPittsburgh, PATammy M. BaxterMiami, FLRicardo A. BelloBronx, NYDinesh BhaskaranZanesville, OHMichael E. BowdishLos Angeles, CAJack BoydIndianapolis, INJames K. BrevigEverett, WARoosevelt BryantMinneapolis, MNAnthony D. CaffarelliNewport Beach, CARafe C. ConnorsSt. Louis, MORobert M. CortinaWilmington, NCLawrence CristPittsburgh, PAMarcelo C. DaSilvaBoston, MARyan R. DaviesWilmington, DEMateo DayoVenice, FLVincent DeFilippiSalinas, CAHarry DoniasMonroe, LARobert A. DuBosePortland, ORGansevoort H. DunningtonMountain View, CACherie P. ErkmenLebanon, NHAlec T. ErorKailua, HIJuan EscalonNorwich, CTNathaniel EvansPhiladelphia, PAJustin S. FanningGrand Rapids, MIRobert S. FarivarIowa City, IAPaul William FedakCalgary, AB, CanadaDavid J. FinleyNew York, NYJose P. GarciaBaltimore, MDTammy L. GleesonBattle Creek, MIEugene M. GoltsSan Diego, CARaja R. GopaldasColumbia, MOIosif M. GulkarovRego Park, NYAjay GuptaYpsilanti, MIOmar HabibNaperville, ILA. Hadi HakkiLargo, FLRobert E. HelmRye Beach, NHRichard E. HelmerWaco, TXCarl M. JohnsonPaducah, KYCarolyn E. JonesRochester, NYEias E. JweiedHighland, INLauren C. KaneSan Antonio, TXJohn M. KaramichalisSan Francisco, CAAlexandros N. KaravasManchester, NHSylwia KarpinskiClinton Township, MIAndrew J. KaufmanNew York, NYSuresh KeshavamurthyCleveland, OHHunter Q. KirklandAustin, TXAnastasios KonstantakosBillings, MTNikhilesh KorgaonkarBaltimore, MDElbert Y. KuoPhoenix, AZPaul LajosNew York, NYAdrian L. LataWinston Salem, NCDaniel C. LeeBrooklyn, NYJeffrey LeeBaltimore, MDKenneth T. LeeSan Jose, CAWinnie W. LeeMineola, NYEric J. LehrNew Castle, WARyan LevyPittsburgh, PAOrlando Lopez de VictoriaSan Juan, PRLucian LozonschiMadison, WIFabio LuisonSudbury, ON, CanadaJefferson M. LyonsColumbus, OHMary S. MaishLos Angeles, CASimon MaltaisNashville, TNPatrick T. MangononFt. Pierce, FLJames J. Mc FarlandCrown Point, INPatrick I. McConnellColumbus, OHDouglas MellingerLa Jolla, CAFederico MillaNew York, NYSteven MilmanBaltimore, MDMohi MitiekMinneapolis, MNAhmad MoustaphaRegina, SK, CanadaKatie S. NasonPittsburgh, PADilip NathWashington, DCL. W. NifongGreenville, NCVerlyn J. NykampSioux Falls, SDOlusola OduntanMorgantown, WVGeorge PanagiotidesLong Beach, CAVenki ParameshOnalaska, WIYaron PerrySavannah, GAEric PresserGreat Neck, NYCemil PurutHickory, NCJos