Innovation and Excellence: Changing to Prevail The Brazilian Cardiovascular Surgery

Abstract

Following in the footsteps of our predecessors, the Brazilian Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (SBCCV) has persevered in its quest for excellence, becoming a role model for other Specialty Societies due to its achievements and the progress it has made in both the public and the private sector. However, there are still some great challenges ahead which will be faced and overcome with the usual determination and resilience as well as the spirit of unity, cohesion, and harmony that are characteristic of the cardiovascular surgery community. Technological and scientific advances and innovations have refreshed our specialty and placed cardiovascular surgery in the spotlight once again. Those achievements in all areas have enabled us to plan farther and reach greater heights. The insertion of Brazil amongst developed nations was consolidated through the process of internationalization. Partnerships with the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Cirugia Cardiovascular y Toracica (SLCCT) have allowed us to strengthen the scientific base of our Congress, counting on the presence and interaction of the most respected surgeons from every corner of the world. Several subject matters are currently being negotiated, such as a Continuing Education course, exchange of surgeons and residents, joint symposiums, multicenter studies, cooperation of scientific journals, among others. Recently, a partnership has been extended to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). The SBCCV Congress has continuously grown in number of participants as well as exhibitors, being recognized as one of the largest national events of this specialty in the world. The newly incorporated multi-professional modules, such as the Perfusion, Nursing, and Physiotherapy in Cardiovascular Surgery Symposiums, have provided the opportunity to gather every professional involved in caring for cardiovascular patients in one place, allowing their conduct to be updated and unified. The inclusion of the Academic Congress in Cardiovascular Surgery aims to attract the new generation, to gather, inform, and form what will be the future of this Specialty as well as to motivate the creation of new Cardiovascular Surgery Interest Groups throughout the country. The new Hands-on practical module, directed by Prof. Gilberto Barbosa, has been a great success due to its straightforward, practical, and educational format. Success today is contingent on building partnerships and joining efforts. Since the industry holds the technology we need to continue providing the best care for our patients, the SBCCV has strengthened those ties, in a fully ethical and transparent manner. By incorporating new technologies, innovative surgical techniques and implantable devices have widened the scope of the cardiovascular surgeon practice. Therefore, training partnerships are necessary to acquire the abilities and expertise needed to ensure excellent results. Besides training, these programs offer medical education, access to scientific information, and, subsequently, multicenter trials which will have to include Brazil. In addition, the training benefits residents and perfusionists. There is a need to focus on scientific advances. Partnerships with international societies and the industry have helped, but they need to advance faster. In addition, university involvement in scientific contributions should be emphasized in order to