Forty-First Annual Meeting, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Abstract

The 41st Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons was held at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida, on January 24–26, 2005, with an attendance of almost 5,500 registrants including spouses and exhibitors. A total of 1,269 members and 511 guest physicians attended the Scientific Sessions.This year the program included the newly created Society of Thoracic Surgeons University (STSU), which featured two didactic courses, seven wet labs, and a series of video demonstrations and live surgical procedures. More than 400 participants attended the STSU for hands-on training in adult cardiac, general thoracic, and congenital cardiac care.The Monday morning General Scientific Session featured the presentation of three J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Papers: “Surgery for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Is Pulmonary Vein Isolation Sufficient?,” “Contemporary Comparison of Outcomes Following Use of the Right Ventricular to Pulmonary Artery Conduit vs. the Modified Blalock Taussig Shunt as Part of the Modified Norwood Procedure,” and “Morbidity and Mortality of Major Pulmonary Resections in Patients with Early Stage Lung Cancer: Initial Results of the Randomized, Prospective ACOSOG Z0030 Trial.”A variety of other educational sessions were also available this year including the Parallel Surgical Forums, Patient Safety Town Hall Meeting, National Disaster Life Support Program, Surgical Motion Pictures, and the Tuesday and Wednesday Breakfast Sessions.Of particular note were three highly motivating presentations: the Presidential Address, the Thomas B. Ferguson Lecture, and the Medical Ethics Debate. Dr Pairolero’s Presidential Address, “A Rising Tide Floats All Boats” explored quality patient safety and how ongoing changes are affecting the cardiothoracic profession. Dr James P. Bagian, the Thomas B. Ferguson Lecturer, encouraged the audience to develop more systematic approaches (ie, similar to the airline industry) to improve patient safety in the operating room. The Medical Ethics Debate with Former Governor Richard D. Lamm and Patrick M. McCarthy, examined public policy pertaining to health care. These presentations, along with many other sessions from the STS Annual Meeting, are available on the newly designed STS website at www.sts.org.The success of the Annual Meeting was due in large part to the exemplary commitment of the Workforce on Annual Meeting (Program Task Force) under the leadership of Richard H. Feins, MD (Program Task Force Chair), Michael J. Mack, MD (Tech-Con Task Force Chair), Charles D. Fraser, MD, and Larry R. Kaiser, MD (Parallel Surgical Forum Co-Chairs). The Congenital and General Thoracic Forums both created outstanding and well-received programs this year.Prior to the STS Annual Meeting, the STS/AATS Tech-Con 2005 meeting welcomed 1,046 registrants including 780 surgeons. Once again, this program highlighted the newest and most crucial technological advances affecting cardiothoracic surgery. This year’s program was developed with the exceptional talents of the Tech-Con Task Force chaired by Michael J. Mack, MD.Also taking place immediately before the Annual Meeting, the 21st Annual Spouse Postgraduate Program featured CIJI Ware and Tony Cook, who presented their program, “Rightsizing Your World—A Look at Downsizing at Any Age, Place, or Stage in Life.” Betsy Bradley Urschel organized this highly informative course.The following officers were elected at the annual Business Meeting: Sidney Levitsky, President; Frederick L. Grover, First Vice President; John E. Mayer, Jr, Second Vice President; Douglas E. Wood, Secretary; Douglas J. Mathisen, Treasurer; W. Gerald Rainer, Historian. Kirk R. Kanter and Jeffrey B. Rich were elected Directors-at-Large. L. Henry Edmunds, Jr was re-elected as Editor. A complete listing of officers, committee members, council operating board and Workforce members, and Society representatives follows this report. The Society extends its appreciation to retiring officers and committee and workforce members for their dedicated service.Members also elected 172 Active, 34 International, and 88 Candidate Members this year. The total membership for The Society is composed of more than 4,800 members.Also this year, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, MD, chaired the Local Arrangements Committee, and Mrs Jeffrey Jacobs chaired the Spouse’s Hospitality Committee. The Society thanks Dr and Mrs Jacobs for their exemplary job with regard to planning the various social activities associated with the meeting. The Members’ Social Event was held at Busch Gardens on Tuesday evening, January 25, 2005.The 42nd Annual Meeting will be held January 30-February 1, 2006, in New Orleans, Louisiana.The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, 2005–2006Board of DirectorsPresidentSidney Levitsky, Boston, MAFirst Vice PresidentFrederick L. Grover, Denver, COSecond Vice PresidentJohn E. Mayer, Jr, Boston, MASecretaryDouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WATreasurerDouglas J. Mathisen, Boston, MAImmediate Past PresidentPeter C. Pairolero, Rochester, MNEditorL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Philadelphia, PAHistorianW. Gerald Rainer, Denver, COInternational DirectorSir Bruce E. Keogh, London, UKDirectors-At-LargeJeffrey P. Gold (2006), Toledo, OHLeslie J. Kohman (2006), Syracuse, NYMichael J. Mack (2007), Dallas, TXMeredith L. Scott (2007), Shell, WYKirk R. Kanter (2008), Atlanta, GAJeffrey B. Rich (2008), Norfolk, VAExecutive CommitteeSidney Levitsky, Chair, Boston, MAFrederick L. Grover, Denver, CODouglas J. Mathisen, Boston, MAJohn E. Mayer, Jr, Boston, MAPeter C. Pairolero, Rochester, MNDouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WAFinance CommitteeMark B. Orringer, Chair, Ann Arbor, MIWilliam A. Baumgartner, Baltimore, MDFrederick L. Grover, Ex-Officio, Denver, COLeslie J. Kohman, Syracuse, NYDouglas J. Mathisen, Ex-Officio, Boston, MADouglas E. Wood, Ex-Officio, Seattle, WAMembership CommitteeRichard I. Whyte, Chair, Stanford, CAStephen J. Lahey, Worcester, MARobert B. Lee, Jackson, MSPatricia A. Penkoske, Frontenac, MOSara J. Shumway, Minneapolis, MNGene E. Tullis, Greeley, CONche Zama, Sayre, PANominating CommitteeJack M. Matloff (2006), Los Angeles, CAMark B. Orringer (2007), Ann Arbor, MIWilliam A. Baumgartner (2008), Baltimore, MDRobert A. Guyton (2009), Atlanta, GAPeter C. Pairolero (2010), Rochester, MNSidney Levitsky (2011), Ex-Officio, Non-Voting, Boston, MAStandards and Ethics CommitteeRichard G. Sanderson, Chair, Tucson, AZRobert M. Sade, Chair-Elect, Charleston, SCMark S. Allen, Rochester, MNRichard M. Engelman, Springfield, MADavid A. Fullerton, Denver, CONicholas T. Kouchoukos, St. Louis, MOEric N. Mendeloff, Dallas, TXKenneth H. Oberheu, Dayton, OHLorraine J. Rubis, St. Petersburg, FLRoss M. Ungerleider, Portland, ORWinfield J. Wells, Los Angeles, CAJoseph B. Zwischenberger, Galveston, TXCouncil on Education and Member ServicesOperating BoardNicholas T. Kouchoukos (2006), Council ChairRichard J. Shemin, Chair, Workforce on Adult Cardiac SurgeryJoseph LoCicero III, Chair, Workforce on AgingJohn V. Conte, Chair, Workforce on Annual MeetingCarolyn E. Reed, Chair, Workforce on Clinical EducationPedro del Nido, Chair, Workforce on Congenital Heart SurgeryMark S. Allen, Chair, Workforce on General Thoracic SurgeryWalter H. Merrill, Chair, Workforce on Graduate Medical EducationPatrick M. McCarthy, Chair, Workforce on New TechnologyRobert W. Emery, Jr, Chair, Workforce on Practice EducationDavid R. Jones, Chair, Workforce on PublicationsRobert L. Kormos, Chair, Workforce on Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Cardiopulmonary DiseaseGordon F. Murray, Appointed MemberDaniel J. Boffa, Resident AppointeeL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Ex-OfficioJeffrey P. Gold, Ex-OfficioLeslie J. Kohman, Ex-OfficioSidney Levitsky, Ex-OfficioWorkforce on Adult Cardiac SurgeryRichard J. Shemin, Chair, Boston, MARobert W. Emery, Jr, St. Paul, MNDavid A. Fullerton, Denver, COPatrick M. McCarthy, Chicago, ILRichard L. Prager, Ann Arbor, MIJohn D. Puskas, Atlanta, GAGus J. Vlahakes, Boston, MAWorkforce on AgingJoseph LoCicero III, Chair, Mobile, ALJohn R. Benfield, Los Angeles, CALawrence I. Bonchek, Lancaster, PARichard H. Feins, Rochester, NYNicola A. Francalancia, Worcester, MADavid A. Fullerton, Denver, COMark R. Katlic, Wilkes Barre, PAMonica L. McDonald, Milwaukee, WIJeffrey M. Piehler, Kansas City, KSMarvin Pomerantz, Denver, COMichael F. Szwerc, Morgantown, WVRonald M. Weintraub, Boston, MADavid D. Yuh, Baltimore, MDWorkforce on Annual MeetingJohn V. Conte, Chair, Baltimore, MDW. Randolph Chitwood, Jr, Greenville, NCRichard H. Feins, Rochester, NYJoseph A. Forbess, Dallas, TXMichael J. Mack, Dallas, TXJohn C. Wain, Boston, MAWorkforce on Annual MeetingProgram Task ForceJohn V. Conte, Chair, Baltimore, MDCarl L. Backer, Chicago, ILR. Morton Bolman, Boston, MAJohn H. Calhoon, San Antonio, TXFrank J. Pigula, Boston, MARobert A. Gustafson, Morgantown, WVDavid H. Harpole, Jr, Durham, NCDaniel L. Miller, Atlanta, GAFrancis C. Nichols III, Rochester, MNFrank W. Sellke, Boston, MASTS University Task ForceRichard H. Feins, Co-Chair, Rochester, NYMichael J. Mack, Co-Chair, Dallas, TXJoseph E. Bavaria, Philadelphia, PACharles D. Fraser, Houston, TXDaniel L. Miller, Atlanta, GARandall K. Wolf, Cincinnati, OHSurgical Forums Task ForceJoseph A. Forbess, Co-Chair, Dallas, TXJohn C. Wain, Co-Chair, Boston, MAJeffrey P. Jacobs, St. Petersburg, FLRobert J. McKenna, Jr, Los Angeles, CARobert M. Mentzer, Jr, Lexington, KYJohn Mark Morales, Corpus Christi, TXTech-Con Task Force ⁎Joint STS/AATS activityJoint STS/AATS activityW. Randolph Chitwood, Jr, Chair, Greenville, NCMark S. Allen, Rochester, MNRalph J. Damiano, St. Louis, MORobert W. Emery, Jr, St. Paul, MNA. Mark Gillinov, Cleveland, OHJames D. Luketich, Pittsburgh, PAJohn D. Puskas, Atlanta, GAJoe B. Putnam, Jr, Nashville, TNWorkforce on Clinical EducationCarolyn E. Reed, Chair, Charleston, SCDavid B. Campbell, Hershey, PAJames E. Davis, New Orleans, LARonald C. Hill, Morgantown, WVDaniel L. Miller, Atlanta, GAWilliam C. Nugent, Lebanon, NHClifford H. Van Meter, Jr, New Orleans, LAWorkforce on Congenital Heart SurgeryPedro J. del Nido, Chair, Boston, MAErle H. Austin, Louisville, KYChristopher A. Caldarone, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaJoseph A. Dearani, Rochester, MNCharles D. Fraser, Houston, TXJ. William Gaynor, Philadelphia, PAMarshall L. Jacobs, Philadelphia, PAKirk R. Kanter, Atlanta, GAFrançois G. Lacour-Gayet, Denver, COBohdan Maruszewski, Warsaw, PolandConstantine Mavroudis, Chicago, ILJohn Mark Morales, Corpus Christi, TXRalph S. Mosca, New York, NYChristo I. Tchervenkov, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaThomas Yeh, Dallas, TXWorkforce on General Thoracic SurgeryMark S. Allen, Chair, Rochester, MNRobert J. Cerfolio, Birmingham, ALMalcolm M. Decamp, Jr, Boston, MARichard H. Feins, Rochester, NYJeffrey A. Hagen, Los Angeles, CAWalter Klepetko, Vienna, AustriaBryan F. Meyers, St. Louis, MORichard I. Whyte, Stanford, CAWorkforce on Graduate Medical EducationWalter H. Merrill, Chair, Cincinnati, OHJoseph E. Bavaria, Philadelphia, PAJohn G. Byrne, Nashville, TNRobert S. D. Higgins, Chicago, ILTomas D. Martin, Gainesville, FLCurtis Tribble, Charlottesville, VADouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WAStephen C. Yang, Baltimore, MDWorkforce on New Technology ⁎Joint STS/AATS activityJoint STS/AATS activityPatrick M. McCarthy, Chair, Chicago, ILW. Randolph Chitwood, Jr, Greenville, NCRalph De La Torre, Boston, MAMark K. Ferguson, Chicago, ILRobert C. Gorman, Philadelphia, PALarry R. Kaiser, Philadelphia, PAMarc R. Katz, Richmond, VABruce W. Lytle, Cleveland, OHMichael J. Mack, Dallas, TXRobert E. Michler, Columbus, OHMichael S. Mulligan, Seattle, WAAdam E. Saltman, Worcester, MAThomas A. Vassiliades, Atlanta, GAKenton J. Zehr, Rochester, MNWorkforce on Practice EducationRobert W. Emery, Jr, Chair, St. Paul, MNJoseph J. Amato, Chicago, ILPhyllis C. Bleck, Naperville, ILFred A. Crawford, Charleston, SCJames R. Edgerton, Dallas, TXEdgar L. Feinberg II, Lafayette, LAKristine J. Guleserian, Dallas, TXJames C. Hart, Somerville, NJKamal R. Khabbaz, Boston, MAJack M. Matloff, Los Angeles, CAJames A. Magovern, Pittsburgh, PAGene E. Tullis, Greeley, CORandall K. Wolf, Cincinnati, OHWorkforce on PublicationsDavid R. Jones, Chair, Charlottesville, VAL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Editor, Philadelphia, PAJohn Alex Elefteriades, New Haven, CTJeffrey P. Gold, Toledo, OHPeter S. Greene, Baltimore, MDIrvin B. Krukenkamp, Old Field, NYDouglas J. Mathisen, Boston, MAThomas J. Vander Salm, Salem, MABenson R. Wilcox, Chapel Hill, NCDouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WAWorkforce on Surgical Treatment of End-Stage Cardiopulmonary DiseaseRobert L. Kormos, Chair, Pittsburgh, PAMichael A. Acker, Philadelphia, PAMargarita Camacho, Manhasset, NYJohn V. Conte, Baltimore, MDRobert D. Dowling, Louisville, KYO. H. Frazier, Houston, TXJames K. Kirklin, Birmingham, ALPatrick M. McCarthy, Chicago, ILRobert C. Robbins, Stanford, CAEric A. Rose, New York, NYJ. David Vega, Atlanta, GACouncil on Quality, Research, and Patient AdvocacyOperating BoardT. Bruce Ferguson (2006), Council ChairJoe B. Putnam, Jr, Chair, Workforce on Clinical TrialsCharles R. Bridges, Chair, Workforce on Evidence-Based SurgeryFred H. Edwards, Chair, Workforce on National DatabasesRichard P. Anderson, Chair, Workforce on Office of ResearchThoralf M. Sundt, Chair, Workforce on Patient Advocacy, Communications, and Patient SafetyGeorge C. Kaiser, Appointed MemberJohn Robert Mehall, Resident AppointeeJohn E. Mayer, Jr, Ex-OfficioKirk R. Kanter, Ex-OfficioJeffrey B. Rich, Ex-OfficioWorkforce on Clinical TrialsJoe B. Putnam, Jr, Chair, Nashville, TNJoseph C. Cleveland, Jr, Denver, COLawrence L. Creswell, Jackson, MSRichard M. Engelman, Springfield, MADavid A. Fullerton, Denver, COHenning A. Gaissert, Boston, MARiyad C. Karmy-Jones, Seattle, WAKemp H. Kernstine, Duarte, CAValerie W. Rusch, New York, NYWorkforce on Evidence-Based SurgeryCharles R. Bridges, Chair, Philadelphia, PALishan Aklog, New York, NYHarry J. D’Agostino, Jacksonville, FLFred H. Edwards, Jacksonville, FLVictor A. Ferraris, Lexington, KYConstance K. Haan, Jacksonville, FLRobert S. D. Higgins, Chicago, ILMarshall L. Jacobs, Philadelphia, PAShukri F. Khuri, West Roxbury, MAWilliam C. Nugent, Lebanon, NHGanga Prabhakar, Morgantown, WVDavid M. Shahian, Brighton, MAJoseph B. Shrager, Philadelphia, PAGarrett L. Walsh, Houston, TXTracey L. Weigel, Madison, WIWorkforce on National DatabasesFred H. Edwards, Chair, Jacksonville, FLMark S. Allen, Rochester, MNLawrence I. Bonchek, Lancaster, PAMalcolm M. Decamp, Jr, Boston, MAVictor A. Ferraris, Lexington, KYHenning A. Gaissert, Boston, MAConstance K. Haan, Jacksonville, FLDavid H. Harpole, Jr, Durham, NCKeith A. Horvath, Bethesda, MDMarshall L. Jacobs, Philadelphia, PABruce E. Keogh, London, UKFrançois Lacour-Gayet, Denver, COConstantine Mavroudis, Chicago, ILJohn D. Mitchell, Denver, COWilliam C. Nugent, Lebanon, NHRichard L. Prager, Ann Arbor, MIDavid M. Shahian, Brighton, MAWorkforce on Office of ResearchRichard P. Anderson, Chair, Seattle, WAFred H. Edwards, Jacksonville, FLRobert M. Mentzer, Jr, Lexington, KYPeter C. Pairolero, Ex-Officio, Rochester, MNHartzell V. Schaff, Rochester, MNPeter K. Smith, Durham, NCWilliam R. Smythe, Temple, TXPatricia A. Thistlethwaite, San Diego, CAWorkforce on Patient Advocacy, Communications, and Patient SafetyThoralf M. Sundt, Chair, Rochester, MNJoseph S. Carey, Torrance, CAMichael D. Crittenden, West Roxbury, MADaniel T. Engelman, Springfield, MAKamal G. Khalil, Houston, TXMargaret Blair Marshall, Washington, DCFrancis C. Nichols III, Rochester, MNJoseph F. Sabik III, Cleveland, OHAlan Jeffrey Spotnitz, Piscataway, NJPaul N. Uhlig, Concord, NHCouncil on Health Policy and RelationshipsOperating BoardKeith S. Naunheim (2007), Council ChairKevin A. Accola, Chair, Workforce on Health Policy, Reform, and AdvocacyJack M. Matloff, Chair, Workforce on International RelationshipsRichard G. Rouse, Chair, Workforce on Internet Applications and CommunicationPeter K. Smith, Chair, Workforce on Nomenclature and CodingTimothy J. Gardner, Appointed MemberRobert A. Guyton, Appointed MemberMichael J. Davidson, Resident AppointeeFrederick L. Grover, Ex-OfficioMichael J. Mack, Ex-OfficioMeredith L. Scott, Ex-OfficioWorkforce on Health Policy, Reform, and Advocacy ⁎Joint STS/AATS activityJoint STS/AATS activityKevin D. Accola, Chair, Orlando, FLE. Pendleton Alexander, Washington, DCJames S. Allan, Marblehead, MAWilliam A. Cooper, Atlanta, GAEdward J. Dunn, Ann Arbor, MIJohn W. Hammon, Jr, Winston-Salem, NCAlex G. Little, Dayton, OHJeffrey B. Rich, Norfolk, VAJohn Robert Roberts, Nashville, TNTodd K. Rosengart, Evanston, ILDavid M. Shahian, Brighton, MARichard J. Shemin, Boston, MALars G. Svensson, Cleveland, OHPaul N. Uhlig, Concord, NHWorkforce on International RelationshipsJack M. Matloff, Chair, Los Angeles, CAConstantine E. Anagnostopoulos, New York, NYKitipan V. Arom, Bangkok, ThailandDavid L. C. Cheung, Hong Kong, ChinaRay Chu-Jeng Chiu, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaRoberto R. Favaloro, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFerdinand B. Masau, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaW. Gerald Rainer, Denver, COGarrett L. Walsh, Houston, TXDavid J. Wheatley, Glasgow, UKNche Zama, Sayre, PAWorkforce on Internet Applications and CommunicationRichard G. Rouse, Chair, San Antonio, TXDavid B. Campbell, Hershey, PADavid J. Caparrelli, Baltimore, MDJohn R. Doty, Salt Lake City, UTL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Philadelphia, PAJeffrey P. Gold, Toledo, OHPeter S. Greene, Baltimore, MDMark D. Iannettoni, Iowa City, IAOmar M. Lattouf, Atlanta, GAShauna R. Roberts, Davenport, IAMark E. Sand, Orlando, FLEdward B. Savage, Chicago, ILPaul T. Sergeant, Bertem, BelgiumLarry W. Stephenson, Detroit, MIWorkforce on Nomenclature and Coding*Peter K. Smith, Chair, Durham, NCJohn C. Alexander, Jr, Hackensack, NJKeith A. Horvath, Bethesda, MDKirk R. Kanter, Atlanta, GAStephen J. Lahey, Worcester, MAHarold L. Lazar, Boston, MAJames M. Levett, Cedar Rapids, IAFrancis C. Nichols III, Rochester, MNCameron D. Wright, Boston, MAThe Annals of Thoracic SurgeryEditorL. Henry Edmunds, Jr, Philadelphia, PAAssociate EditorsEthics EditorRobert M. Sade, Charleston, SCFeature Article EditorsDavid B. Campbell, Hershey, PAS. Bert Litwin, Milwaukee, WILawrence R. McBride, Jacksonville, FLWayne E. Richenbacher, Iowa City, IAJoseph B. Shrager, Philadelphia, PACameron D. Wright, Boston, MAKey References EditorKenneth M. Steinglass, New York, NYReviews EditorRichard J. Novick, London, Ontario, CanadaStatistics EditorGary L. Grunkemeier, Portland, ORSurgical Heritage EditorW. Gerald Rainer, Denver, COEditorial BoardDavid H. Adams, New York, NYWilliam N. Anderson, Lake Forest, CAEnio Buffolo, São Paulo, BrazilBrian F. Buxton, Melbourne, AustraliaAntonio M. Calafiore, Chieti, ItalyW. Randolph Chitwood, Jr, Greenville, NCJoseph M. Craver, Atlanta, GAThomas A. D’Amico, Durham, NCPedro J. del Nido, Boston, MARobert A. Dion, Leiden, the NetherlandsVerdi J. DiSesa, West Chester, PAMark K. Ferguson, Chicago, ILT. Bruce Ferguson, Jr, New Orleans, LADavid A. Fullerton, Denver, COJeffrey P. Gold, Toledo, OHPeter Goldstraw, London, UKGuo-Wei He, Hong KongMarkus K. Heinemann, Mainz, GermanyRichard F. Heitmiller, Baltimore, MDWilliam L. Holman, Birmingham, ALEddie L. Hoover, Buffalo, NYDavid R. Jones, Charlottesville, VAKirk R. Kanter, Atlanta, GAHiromi Kurosawa, Tokyo, JapanFrançois Lacour-Gayet, Denver, COJoseph LoCicero III, Mobile, ALMichael J. Mack, Dallas, TXJoren C. Madsen, Boston, MAHikaru Matsuda, Osaka, JapanConstantine Mavroudis, Chicago, ILPatrick M. McCarthy, Chicago, ILFriedrich W. Mohr, Leipzig, GermanyMehmet C. Oz, New York, NYMark B. Ratcliffe, San Francisco, CACarolyn E. Reed, Charleston, SCJuan Rosai, Milan, ItalyTomas A. Salerno, Miami, FLThoralf M. Sundt, III, Rochester, MNLars G. Svensson, Cleveland, OHRyosuke Tsuchiya, Tokyo, JapanJarle Vaage, Oslo, NorwayErnst Wolner, Vienna, AustriaDouglas E. Wood, Seattle, WAAnthony P. C. Yim, Hong KongNew membersActiveDomesticReginald G. M. AbrahamFountain Valley, CAAbdallah K. AlameddineSpringfield, MASaeed A. AllyBeaumont, TXCristobal G. AlvaradoDover, DESimon K. AshikuBoston, MANnamdi AziePhiladelphia, PAVinay BadhwarSt. Petersburg, FLJon M. BakerMather, CADevinder S. BhatiaHouston, TXFaiz BhoraGreen Bay, WIArie BlitzNew Orleans, LABret D. BorcheltWinston-Salem, NCGregory R. BrevettiBrooklyn, NYRandy G. BrownCape Girardeau, MOChristiano C. B. CaldeiraCleveland, OHRoyce F. CalhounSacramento, CAJonathan A. CalureTacoma Park, MDMichael P. CaskeyPhoenix, AZStephen D. CassiviRochester, MNAbdul G. ChaudhryRaleigh, NCEdward P. ChenAtlanta, GAPaul N. ChomiakFrederick, MDNepal C. ChowdhuryBirmingham, ALMichael A. CoadyNew Haven, CTLucas R. CollazoAnnadale, VAWilliam H. CookMontgomery, ALLorraine D. CornwellPaterson, NJLarkin J. DanielsMobile, ALIrving B. DavidFt. Lauderdale, FLJohn R. DavisSpringdale, ARRamzi DeeikNapa, CAChristopher D. DerbyWilmington, DEMurali DharanSan Ramon, CANeelan S. DoolabhTyler, TXJohn R. DotySalt Lake City, UTIgnacio G. DuarteDallas, TXLawrence J. DukeGreenbrac, CAHazem N. El-KhatibPittsburgh, PAGregory J. EnglandPanama City, FLElad ErezFt. Worth, TXEduardo EsperTerre Haute, INPaul L. Evans, JrNewport News, VAJason E. FelgerSan Angelo, TXRaja M. FloresNew York, NYSeth D. ForceAtlanta, GAEdward J. FrickPortsmouth, VASanjiv K. GandhiPittsburgh, PAMario G. GasparriMilwaukee, WIRichard C. GeisHouston, TXLawrence R. GlassmanManhasset, NYJohn A. GoncalvesMineola, NYJohn W. GouldmanAtlanta, GAGary R. GreenRochester, NYSean C. GrondinCalgary, Alberta, CanadaPeter J. GruberPhiladelphia, PADaniel N. Gwan-NullaWindber, PAMiguel HaimeWest Roxbury, MAZane T. HammoudIndianapolis, INHossam M. HassaneinHouston, TXCynthia S. HerringtonMinneapolis, MNPhilip J. Hess, JrGainesville, FLMichael H. HinesWinston-Salem, NCThomas HoangDallas, TXAlberto de HoyosChicago, ILSteven S. HuerdBoise, IDJoseph HuhHouston, TXCurtis T. HunterBoston, MAAdel D. IraniSpring, TXMark R. JajkowskiBuffalo, NYMark A. JayawantMyrtle Beach, SCRanjit JohnMinneapolis, MNBruce A. JonesLincoln, NERobert KalimiManhasset, NYV. Antoine KellerLafayette, LASaeid KhansariniaMarietta, GABetty KimFt. Gordon, GARobert C. KingBremerton, WARobert C. KincadeSacramento, CAMerick S. KirshnerPhoenix, AZHarry Kourlis, JrDallas, TXRobert G. KummererLibertyville, ILKing F. KwongBaltimore, MDCharles S. LaPunzinaBrooklyn, NYK. Adam LeeJupiter, FLPaul C. LeeNew York, NYRichard LeeSt. Louis, MORichard J. Leone, JrSeattle, WAJohn R. LiddicoatBoston, MAJames LongoriaSacramento, CADavid W. LutesTopeka, KSCharles J. LutzSyracuse, NYMaurice I. LyonsDenver, COStephen M. ManiscalcoCenroe, TXDavid P. MasonCleveland, OHJoseph M. McClainRichmond, VAJerome M. McDonaldTacoma, WAEdwin C. McGee, JrChicago, ILWalter E. McGregorColumbus, OHRandy K. MetcalfDoylestown, PAOktavijan P. MinanovDetroit, MIDavid L. S. MoralesHouston, TXRichard C. Morrison, JrTampa, FLKeith D. MortmanSpringfield, MAPeter M. MoyHampton, VACharles P. MurrahTallahassee, FLR. Brent NewCape Girardeau, MOCharles S. NeedhamTacoma, WAJohn C. OfenlochClearwater, FLWilliam R. OgleCape Girardeau, MODavid R. OnsagerNaperville, ILDavid M. OvermanMinneapolis, MNAytekin OzdemirLittle Rock, ARSebastian PagniLouisville, KYOctavio E. PajaroJacksonville, FLGary L. ParenteauWheeling, WVBenard J. ParkNew York, NYPatrick E. ParrinoNew Orleans, LABilly D. ParsonsTexarkana, TXPeter PastuszkoOklahoma City, OKPaul J. PearsonMarshfield, WIGlenn J. PelletierPhiladelphia, PAMarc P. PelletierMountain View, CAArjun PennathurPittsburgh, PAJohn W. PerryCanton, OHTimothy W. PettittNew Orleans, LAAlistair B. PhillipsNew York, NYNicky L. PipkinSavannah, GAGanga PrabhakarMorgantown, WVPaul L. PreisslerHartford, CTOurania A. PreventzaBronx, NYPrem RabindranauthLa Crosse, WIDavid C. RiceHouston, TXKaren M. RiegerIndianapolis, INLee D. RobersonOpelika, ALRussell S. RonsonBirmingham, ALThomas SalamonColumbus, OHAqeel A. SandhuCanton, OHNarendra S. SastryBrandon, FLEric W. SchneebergerCincinnati, OHJess D. SchwartzMorristown, NJBaldev S. SekhonCleveland, OHCraig H. SelzmanChapel Hill, NCNazly M. ShariatiAllentown, PACarlton H. SheelyBaton Rouge, LAIrving ShenPortland, ORBrett C. SheridanChapel Hill, NCAkira ShimamotoSeattle, WAMarc C. SilverGrand Blanc, MISinan A. SimsirDurham, NCChanderdeep SinghAlbany, NYJoanne P. StarrChicago, ILBryan M. SteinbergWashington, DCJoseph J. StellaWilkes-Barre, PAMichaela StraznickaWalnut Creek, CAWael Z. TamimFt. Lauderdale, FLBradley S. TaylorPittsburgh, PAHassan Y. TehraniMiami, FLGeorge TellidesNew Haven, CTNavin S. ThakurPittsburgh, PAJohn S. ThurberBethesda, MDGeorge Tolis, JrNew York, NYAnn J. ToranBrighton, MATimothy H. TrotterOklahoma City, OKJames M. TubbNew Orleans, LARobert B. TurnageMeridian, MSTimothy L. Van NattaIowa City, IAJohn L. WaciumaRochester, MNJon-Cecil M. WalkesHouston, TXKenneth M. WolnakJanesville, WIKory U. WoodburySt. George, UTDaniel S. WoolleyTucson, AZSaid F. YassinWheeling, WVDavid H. YoungDenver, CODavid ZeltsmanPhiladelphia, PAInternationalAyman A. Abdul-GhaniLiverpool, UKFrancesco AlamanniMilan, ItalyJean E. BachetParis, FranceToufan M. BahramiLondon, UKFrederic CollartMarseille, FranceWilson J. CoutoSão Paulo, BrazilEnrico R. FerrariLausanne, SwitzerlandPier Luigi FilossoTorino, ItalyCengiz GebitekinLeicester, UKHans J. GeisslerCologne, GermanyTheodoros E. KaraiskosThessaloniki, GreeceBuu-Khanh LamOttawa, ON, CanadaEdward MalecKrakow, PolandMaurizio MancusoTorino, ItalyStefano MargaritoraRome, ItalyBohdon J. MaruszewskiWarsaw, PolandUwe MehlhornCologne, GermanyJose Morales-GomezMexico DFHenrique MuradRio de Janeiro, BrazilStacy B. O’BlenesHalifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaYukikatsu OkadaKobe, JapanPrakash PunjabiLondon, UKEnrico RuffiniTorino, ItalyTakahiko SakamotoKanagawa, JapanToshiharu ShinokaTokyo, JapanAlexandros SidropoulosAthens, GreeceKwang-Hyun M. SohnSeoul, KoreaCalin P. TuneaTimisoara, RomaniaChing TzaoTaipei, TaiwanJean-Marie WihimStrasbourg, FranceMichael Y. YiiVictoria, AustraliaCANDIDATEAnthony J. AsciotiHouston, TXDaniel L. BecklesDallas, TXRicardo A. BelloBronx, NYDaniel J. BoffaCleveland, OHManuel CaceresMemphis, TNKenneth D. CallJackson, MSJohn A. CarrChicago, ILHannan ChaugleLake Oswego, ORCliff K. ChoongSt. Louis, MOGriffin R. CoatesTucson, AZJoelle M. ColettaSan Diego, CAScott W. CowanBoston, MAJuan A. CrestanelloColumbus, OHDavid A. D’AlessandroNew York, NYMichael J. DavidsonBoston, MAPaul DiGiorgiNew York, NYAfshin EhsanBoston, MAYakov L. ElgudinLos Angeles, CAAmgad El-SherifPittsburgh, PAChance D. FeliskySnohomish, WAJacques-Pierre FontaineWorcester, MAJames L. Foster, JrCharleston, SCJuan B. GrauNew York, NYJohn F. GrehanAnn Arbor, MIAndrei GurskyMemphis, TNCraig R. HamptonSeattle, WAMao Hao HanMemphis, TNCamille L. Hancock FriesenHalifax, NS, CanadaMazen M. HashishoNew Hyde Park, NYGerald A. HelmsAlbuquerque, NMDawn E. JaroszewskiHouston, TXLoay KabbaniMadison, WIAdebambo M. KadriAlbany, NYMindo N. KavaranaLouisville, KYSanjay G. KhichaNew Orleans, LALev M. KhitinCharleston, SCAnthony W. KimChicago, ILHunter Q. KirklandHouston, TXRichard P. M. KoehlerPittsburgh, PAPaul S. KohMinneapolis, MNMurray H. KownStanford, CADeborah J. KozikMilwaukee, WIBahirathan KrishnadasanSeattle, WAKenneth T. LeeBoston, MAShu S. LinDurham, NCWilliam H. LynchDallas, TXMurali MacherlaAlbuquerque, NMAli MahtabifardSacramento, CALinda W. MartinHouston, TXJohn R. MehallCincinnati, OHDouglas N. MellingerSan Diego, CAMark M. MattauerHouston, TXDavid B. MeyerNew York, NYMeena NathanBoston, MAPatrick K. H. O’BrienPhiladelphia, PAEric J. OkumChicago, ILStephen A. Olenchock, JrBoston, MAAshraf I. OsmanPittsburgh, PAJonathan M. PhilpottFt. Wayne, INJuan F. PlateNew Brunswick, NJTheodore C. PrattMadison, WIMatthew M. PucWorcester, MABrian L. ReemstenSeattle, WADeemy RekkasGainesville, FLSajjad H. RizviLexington, KYDarren I. RohanNew Hyde Park, NYScott D. RossStanford, CAArash SalemiCleveland, OHS. Salman A. ShahNashville, TNMahesh S. SharmaPittsburgh, PADouglas R. SmegoGreenwich, CTAllan S. StewartNew York, NYRobert D. StewartChicago, ILRobert G. Strange, JrCharleston, SCVita V. SullivanMinneapolis, MNCarolyn J. TengMontreal, Quebec, CanadaJohn M. TooleCharleston, SCAaron L. TrachteLawton, OKUttam TripathyPortland, ORGanpat S. ValauikarMemphis, TNDaniel A. VelezSeattle, WAConrad M. VialPalo Alto, CACalvin K. WanMontreal, Quebec, CanadaI-wen WangAnn Arbor, MITodd S. WeiserBoston, MAMathew R. WilliamsNew York, NYAlvina WonSyracuse, NYWilliams R. WrightsonLouisville, KYDeceased membersJames BenedictWilliam BerryA. Gerard BromDeWitt C. DaughtryJonathan Drummond-WebbRobert W. DuffyRobert L. GinsbergAllan E. GreerRonald P. GrunwaldGene Allen GuinnVincent P. GurucharriCharles A. JohnsonNael MartiniFrank M. Mauney, JrPorter MayoThomas R. MeagherJohn E. MillerBenjamin G. NarodickDemetre NicoloffRonald B. PonnJenaro PliegoStewart PurselMelvin M. ReevesThomas R. RiggsStewart ScottGeorge N. J. Sommer, JrHorace D. WardenRobert S. WeinerJames YeeWilliams Glenn Young, Jr The 41st Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons was held at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida, on January 24–26, 2005, with an attendance of almost 5,500 registrants including spouses and exhibitors. A total of 1,269 members and 511 guest physicians attended the Scientific Sessions. This year the program included the newly created Society of Thoracic Surgeons University (STSU), which featured two didactic courses, seven wet labs, and a series of video demonstrations and live surgical procedures. More than 400 participants attended the STSU for hands-on training in adult cardiac, general thoracic, and congenital cardiac care. The Monday morning General Scientific Session featured the presentation of three J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Papers: “Surgery for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Is Pulmonary Vein Isolation Sufficient?,” “Contemporary Comparison of Outcomes Following Use of the Right Ventricular to Pulmonary Artery Conduit vs. the Modified Blalock Taussig Shunt as Part of th