From the AATS

This year’s AATS Annual Meeting promises an abstract program filled with hot topics in cardiothoracic surgery. Presentations from around the world will run the gamut of what attendees need to know and want to take home with them. Learn more about the program from Abstract Committee members.

Click here or the image below to watch a video.

This year’s AATS Annual Meeting promises an abstract program filled with hot topics in cardiothoracic surgery. Presentations from around the world will run the gamut of what attendees need to know and want to take home with them. Learn more about the program from Abstract Committee members.

Click here or the image below to watch a video.

This year’s AATS Annual Meeting promises an abstract program filled with hot topics in cardiothoracic surgery. Presentations from around the world will run the gamut of what attendees need to know and want to take home with them. Learn more about the program from Abstract Committee members.

Click here or the image below to watch a video.

Be sure to visit our online PDF version of the April issue of Thoracic Surgery News, now available online. This month we are focusing on the potential of 3-D printing for cardiothoracic surgery education and practice, the new privacy issues arising from the development of genomic medicine, and the apparent end of the SGR era.

Also, in our News from AATS section there is further information on the upcoming 95th AATS Annual Meeting, the 2015 Mitral Conclave, and new fellowship and training opportunities available through the AATS.

Click here to view our April PDF.

Be sure to visit our online PDF version of the April issue of Thoracic Surgery News, now available online. This month we are focusing on the potential of 3-D printing for cardiothoracic surgery education and practice, the new privacy issues arising from the development of genomic medicine, and the apparent end of the SGR era.

Also, in our News from AATS section there is further information on the upcoming 95th AATS Annual Meeting, the 2015 Mitral Conclave, and new fellowship and training opportunities available through the AATS.

Click here to view our April PDF.

Be sure to visit our online PDF version of the April issue of Thoracic Surgery News, now available online. This month we are focusing on the potential of 3-D printing for cardiothoracic surgery education and practice, the new privacy issues arising from the development of genomic medicine, and the apparent end of the SGR era.

Also, in our News from AATS section there is further information on the upcoming 95th AATS Annual Meeting, the 2015 Mitral Conclave, and new fellowship and training opportunities available through the AATS.

Click here to view our April PDF.

Don’t miss the AATS Mitral Conclave, the benchmark meeting about mitral valve disease. The event precedes the AATS Annual Meeting and lasts from Thursday, April 23 to Friday, April 24, 2015, and is being held at the Hilton New York Midtown, New York City, N.Y.

With a faculty of over 70 international leaders in the field, the conference features more than 100 invited lectures and video presentations, as well as 100 submitted abstracts and video offerings.

The two-day Conclave will cover a wide-range of topic areas including guidelines, imaging, surgical approaches, reconstructive techniques, replacement options, catheter based approaches, heart failure strategies, and long term outcomes.

The schedule includes:

** Five plenary lecture sessions
** Over 20 breakout sessions
** Eight sponsored luncheons
** Three expert video/technique demonstrations
** Debates
** Moderated panel discussions
** Special lectures
** Breakfast breakout sessions
** Case-based discussions

View the complete preliminary program here.

Program Director
David H. Adams

Program Committee
Anelechi C. Anyanwu
Tirone E. David
Pedro J. del Nido
Gilles D. Dreyfus
Volkmar Falk
Rakesh M. Suri
Hugo K. I. Vanermen
Francis C. Wells

CME Credits
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Learn more.

Register today.

Don’t miss the AATS Mitral Conclave, the benchmark meeting about mitral valve disease. The event precedes the AATS Annual Meeting and lasts from Thursday, April 23 to Friday, April 24, 2015, and is being held at the Hilton New York Midtown, New York City, N.Y.

With a faculty of over 70 international leaders in the field, the conference features more than 100 invited lectures and video presentations, as well as 100 submitted abstracts and video offerings.

The two-day Conclave will cover a wide-range of topic areas including guidelines, imaging, surgical approaches, reconstructive techniques, replacement options, catheter based approaches, heart failure strategies, and long term outcomes.

The schedule includes:

** Five plenary lecture sessions
** Over 20 breakout sessions
** Eight sponsored luncheons
** Three expert video/technique demonstrations
** Debates
** Moderated panel discussions
** Special lectures
** Breakfast breakout sessions
** Case-based discussions

View the complete preliminary program here.

Program Director
David H. Adams

Program Committee
Anelechi C. Anyanwu
Tirone E. David
Pedro J. del Nido
Gilles D. Dreyfus
Volkmar Falk
Rakesh M. Suri
Hugo K. I. Vanermen
Francis C. Wells

CME Credits
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Learn more.

Register today.

Don’t miss the AATS Mitral Conclave, the benchmark meeting about mitral valve disease. The event precedes the AATS Annual Meeting and lasts from Thursday, April 23 to Friday, April 24, 2015, and is being held at the Hilton New York Midtown, New York City, N.Y.

With a faculty of over 70 international leaders in the field, the conference features more than 100 invited lectures and video presentations, as well as 100 submitted abstracts and video offerings.

The two-day Conclave will cover a wide-range of topic areas including guidelines, imaging, surgical approaches, reconstructive techniques, replacement options, catheter based approaches, heart failure strategies, and long term outcomes.

The schedule includes:

** Five plenary lecture sessions
** Over 20 breakout sessions
** Eight sponsored luncheons
** Three expert video/technique demonstrations
** Debates
** Moderated panel discussions
** Special lectures
** Breakfast breakout sessions
** Case-based discussions

View the complete preliminary program here.

Program Director
David H. Adams

Program Committee
Anelechi C. Anyanwu
Tirone E. David
Pedro J. del Nido
Gilles D. Dreyfus
Volkmar Falk
Rakesh M. Suri
Hugo K. I. Vanermen
Francis C. Wells

CME Credits
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Learn more.

Register today.

The AATS Graham Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation — the Every Heartbeat Matters Valve Fellowship. The mission of Every Heartbeat Matters is to impact the global burden of heart valve disease by serving one million people by 2020.

The fellowship’s goal is to enhance the knowledge and skills of practicing cardiothoracic surgeons who are already treating or committed to treating underserved patients worldwide. It provides up to three months of advanced heart valve disease training and education at a host institution.

Curriculum

The Fellowship curriculum will cover non-thrombogenic valve surgery, focusing on advanced training in valve reconstruction and use of biological valve replacements (surgical and transcatheter) for:

** Degenerative mitral valve disease

** Rheumatic mitral valve disease

** Aortic stenosis/regurgitation

** Functional tricuspid regurgitation

** Endocarditis

Training Center

The applicant is responsible for identifying a training center whose curriculum includes a sufficient amount of mitral, aortic and tricuspid valve surgery to fulfill his/her fellowship goals. S/he must include a letter of support from the institution chosen.

Benefits

The Fellowship will provide annual awards to defray travel and living expenses. There will be two funding levels:

** Level One — Up to $7,500
 (up to one month)

** Level Two — Up to $15,000 
(between one and three months)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the fellowship, an applicant must:

** Have completed his/her cardiac and/or cardiothoracic surgery training.

** Meet all necessary prerequisites for travel to and from the training center such as a visa and license requirements.

** Provide information on the number of underserved patients s/he cares for annually.

Application Process

Each surgeon must fill out the formal application and include the following in his/her submission:

** Curriculum vitae

** If serving in a hospital/medical school — a letter from his/her chief/chair.

** A letter of support from the proposed training center.

** A detailed plan outline for the proposed training, including with a timeline.

** A one-page narrative describing: (1) Learning goals while at the proposed training center. (2) The relationship of the planned course of study to his/her prior work and professional goals.

** A detailed outline of his/her current practice with an estimate of the number of underserved patients s/he treats annually, including: (1) Types of diseases currently treated. (2) An estimate of the number of VHD patients s/he may serve after training is completed.

Post-Fellowship Reporting

Fellows will be required to provide two reports detailing benefits of their training.

Deadline: March 31, 2015

For more information: http://aatsgrahamfoundation.org/awards_valveFellowship.cgi

AATS Graham Foundation: 
www.AATSGrahamFoundation.org

The AATS Graham Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation — the Every Heartbeat Matters Valve Fellowship. The mission of Every Heartbeat Matters is to impact the global burden of heart valve disease by serving one million people by 2020.

The fellowship’s goal is to enhance the knowledge and skills of practicing cardiothoracic surgeons who are already treating or committed to treating underserved patients worldwide. It provides up to three months of advanced heart valve disease training and education at a host institution.

Curriculum

The Fellowship curriculum will cover non-thrombogenic valve surgery, focusing on advanced training in valve reconstruction and use of biological valve replacements (surgical and transcatheter) for:

** Degenerative mitral valve disease

** Rheumatic mitral valve disease

** Aortic stenosis/regurgitation

** Functional tricuspid regurgitation

** Endocarditis

Training Center

The applicant is responsible for identifying a training center whose curriculum includes a sufficient amount of mitral, aortic and tricuspid valve surgery to fulfill his/her fellowship goals. S/he must include a letter of support from the institution chosen.

Benefits

The Fellowship will provide annual awards to defray travel and living expenses. There will be two funding levels:

** Level One — Up to $7,500
 (up to one month)

** Level Two — Up to $15,000 
(between one and three months)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the fellowship, an applicant must:

** Have completed his/her cardiac and/or cardiothoracic surgery training.

** Meet all necessary prerequisites for travel to and from the training center such as a visa and license requirements.

** Provide information on the number of underserved patients s/he cares for annually.

Application Process

Each surgeon must fill out the formal application and include the following in his/her submission:

** Curriculum vitae

** If serving in a hospital/medical school — a letter from his/her chief/chair.

** A letter of support from the proposed training center.

** A detailed plan outline for the proposed training, including with a timeline.

** A one-page narrative describing: (1) Learning goals while at the proposed training center. (2) The relationship of the planned course of study to his/her prior work and professional goals.

** A detailed outline of his/her current practice with an estimate of the number of underserved patients s/he treats annually, including: (1) Types of diseases currently treated. (2) An estimate of the number of VHD patients s/he may serve after training is completed.

Post-Fellowship Reporting

Fellows will be required to provide two reports detailing benefits of their training.

Deadline: March 31, 2015

For more information: http://aatsgrahamfoundation.org/awards_valveFellowship.cgi

AATS Graham Foundation: 
www.AATSGrahamFoundation.org

The AATS Graham Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation — the Every Heartbeat Matters Valve Fellowship. The mission of Every Heartbeat Matters is to impact the global burden of heart valve disease by serving one million people by 2020.

The fellowship’s goal is to enhance the knowledge and skills of practicing cardiothoracic surgeons who are already treating or committed to treating underserved patients worldwide. It provides up to three months of advanced heart valve disease training and education at a host institution.

Curriculum

The Fellowship curriculum will cover non-thrombogenic valve surgery, focusing on advanced training in valve reconstruction and use of biological valve replacements (surgical and transcatheter) for:

** Degenerative mitral valve disease

** Rheumatic mitral valve disease

** Aortic stenosis/regurgitation

** Functional tricuspid regurgitation

** Endocarditis

Training Center

The applicant is responsible for identifying a training center whose curriculum includes a sufficient amount of mitral, aortic and tricuspid valve surgery to fulfill his/her fellowship goals. S/he must include a letter of support from the institution chosen.

Benefits

The Fellowship will provide annual awards to defray travel and living expenses. There will be two funding levels:

** Level One — Up to $7,500
 (up to one month)

** Level Two — Up to $15,000 
(between one and three months)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the fellowship, an applicant must:

** Have completed his/her cardiac and/or cardiothoracic surgery training.

** Meet all necessary prerequisites for travel to and from the training center such as a visa and license requirements.

** Provide information on the number of underserved patients s/he cares for annually.

Application Process

Each surgeon must fill out the formal application and include the following in his/her submission:

** Curriculum vitae

** If serving in a hospital/medical school — a letter from his/her chief/chair.

** A letter of support from the proposed training center.

** A detailed plan outline for the proposed training, including with a timeline.

** A one-page narrative describing: (1) Learning goals while at the proposed training center. (2) The relationship of the planned course of study to his/her prior work and professional goals.

** A detailed outline of his/her current practice with an estimate of the number of underserved patients s/he treats annually, including: (1) Types of diseases currently treated. (2) An estimate of the number of VHD patients s/he may serve after training is completed.

Post-Fellowship Reporting

Fellows will be required to provide two reports detailing benefits of their training.

Deadline: March 31, 2015

For more information: http://aatsgrahamfoundation.org/awards_valveFellowship.cgi

AATS Graham Foundation: 
www.AATSGrahamFoundation.org

AATS Week 2015 includes two 
terrific events: 
The Mitral Conclave (April 23-24, 2015, New York City) and AATS 95th Annual Meeting (April 25-29, 2015, Seattle WA).

Register for both and receive a $100 discount off the Mitral Conclave fee!

Registration and housing 
reservations are now open. 
Information can be found at: http://aats.org/aatsweek.

Three ways to register:

** Online at www.aats.org. 
Registration and hotel reservations can be made at the same time.

** Call the AATS/Experient 
Customer Service Desk:

US: (800) 424-5249

International: (847) 996-5829

** Mail/fax
Registration form is available upon request from LK 
Coughlin, lkcoughlin@aats.org. 

Fill out and mail to: 
AATS/Experient 
P.O. Box 4088
Frederick, MD 21705 
with check and credit card 
information.

Or fax to:
301-694-5124 
(fax requires credit card 
information).

AATS Week 2015 includes two 
terrific events: 
The Mitral Conclave (April 23-24, 2015, New York City) and AATS 95th Annual Meeting (April 25-29, 2015, Seattle WA).

Register for both and receive a $100 discount off the Mitral Conclave fee!

Registration and housing 
reservations are now open. 
Information can be found at: http://aats.org/aatsweek.

Three ways to register:

** Online at www.aats.org. 
Registration and hotel reservations can be made at the same time.

** Call the AATS/Experient 
Customer Service Desk:

US: (800) 424-5249

International: (847) 996-5829

** Mail/fax
Registration form is available upon request from LK 
Coughlin, lkcoughlin@aats.org. 

Fill out and mail to: 
AATS/Experient 
P.O. Box 4088
Frederick, MD 21705 
with check and credit card 
information.

Or fax to:
301-694-5124 
(fax requires credit card 
information).

AATS Week 2015 includes two 
terrific events: 
The Mitral Conclave (April 23-24, 2015, New York City) and AATS 95th Annual Meeting (April 25-29, 2015, Seattle WA).

Register for both and receive a $100 discount off the Mitral Conclave fee!

Registration and housing 
reservations are now open. 
Information can be found at: http://aats.org/aatsweek.

Three ways to register:

** Online at www.aats.org. 
Registration and hotel reservations can be made at the same time.

** Call the AATS/Experient 
Customer Service Desk:

US: (800) 424-5249

International: (847) 996-5829

** Mail/fax
Registration form is available upon request from LK 
Coughlin, lkcoughlin@aats.org. 

Fill out and mail to: 
AATS/Experient 
P.O. Box 4088
Frederick, MD 21705 
with check and credit card 
information.

Or fax to:
301-694-5124 
(fax requires credit card 
information).

Mark your calendar to join cardiothoracic surgery professionals from around the world for a five-day program of state-of-the-art presentations by renowned experts. Attendees will enhance their knowledge and skills in a wide-range of subjects including general and specialized cardiac surgery, emerging technologies, congenital heart disease, critical care and aortic/endovascular.

AATS 95th Annual Meeting

April 25 – 29, 2015

Washington State Convention Center

Seattle, WA

President & Annual Meeting Chair 

Pedro J. del Nido

Annual Meeting Co-Chairs

David H. Adams

Yolonda L. Colson

AATS is excited to be hosting its Annual Meeting in Seattle for the first time. This vibrant city combines sophisticated urbanity with the unpretentious natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. Nicknamed the “Emerald City” for its lush evergreen forests, Seattle has something for everyone — culture, entertainment, shopping, restaurants and outdoor activities. And, Seattle is the home of great coffee, which can be purchased from carts on every corner.

The meeting site — the recently renovated Washington State Convention Center — is located in the heart of downtown. Within walking distance is Seattle’s famous Space Needle, where visitors can view the city, Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainer, the waters of Elliott Bay and surrounding forests from the 520-foot observation deck. Other attractions nearby are the Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, water tours and ferries. Visitors and Seattleites enjoy Seattle’s lively downtown, great shopping, wonderful restaurants, espresso carts on every corner, and thriving community full of live theatre and museu

Attend the Saturday and Sunday Symposia, which include:

Saturday, April 25th

• Adult Cardiac Skills: How I Would Like My Operation Done

• Congenital Heart Disease Skills: Dealing with Challenging Conditions –Pearls and Pitfalls

• General Thoracic Skills: Implementing Innovation: What Future Leaders Need to Know

• Allied Health Personnel Symposium: Advancing the Team Based Care Management Model in Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Therapies for End-Stage Thoracic Organ Failure with an Emphasis on ECMO, MCS and Transplant

Sunday, April 26th

• AATS/STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Symposium: Decision Making in Adult Cardiac Surg

• AATS/STS Congenital Heart Disease Symposium: Unsettled and Unanswered Questions in Congenital Heart Surgery

• AATS/STS General Thoracic Surgery Symposium: The Evolving Role of Thoracic Surgeons

View full Saturday and Sunday programs online: http://aats.org/annualmeeting/Program-Books/2015/Program.cgi

Saturday and Sunday Courses and Symposium

Register for a Saturday course and/or a Sunday symposium, and you will have access to all other courses/symposia taking place that same day. You must select a primary course and will receive one syllabus book for that selection. Additional course syllabi will be available for purchase onsite for $25 each.

Sunday Symposia Legends Luncheon

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear from true pioneers in cardiothoracic surgery as they share their experiences during the interactive Legends Luncheons at each postgraduate symposium.

Speakers include:

• Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub — Imperial College, London

• Jean Deslauriers — IUCPQ, Canada

You must be registered for a Sunday postgraduate symposium to attend the Legends Luncheons.

Mark your calendar to join cardiothoracic surgery professionals from around the world for a five-day program of state-of-the-art presentations by renowned experts. Attendees will enhance their knowledge and skills in a wide-range of subjects including general and specialized cardiac surgery, emerging technologies, congenital heart disease, critical care and aortic/endovascular.

AATS 95th Annual Meeting

April 25 – 29, 2015

Washington State Convention Center

Seattle, WA

President & Annual Meeting Chair 

Pedro J. del Nido

Annual Meeting Co-Chairs

David H. Adams

Yolonda L. Colson

AATS is excited to be hosting its Annual Meeting in Seattle for the first time. This vibrant city combines sophisticated urbanity with the unpretentious natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. Nicknamed the “Emerald City” for its lush evergreen forests, Seattle has something for everyone — culture, entertainment, shopping, restaurants and outdoor activities. And, Seattle is the home of great coffee, which can be purchased from carts on every corner.

The meeting site — the recently renovated Washington State Convention Center — is located in the heart of downtown. Within walking distance is Seattle’s famous Space Needle, where visitors can view the city, Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainer, the waters of Elliott Bay and surrounding forests from the 520-foot observation deck. Other attractions nearby are the Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, water tours and ferries. Visitors and Seattleites enjoy Seattle’s lively downtown, great shopping, wonderful restaurants, espresso carts on every corner, and thriving community full of live theatre and museu

Attend the Saturday and Sunday Symposia, which include:

Saturday, April 25th

• Adult Cardiac Skills: How I Would Like My Operation Done

• Congenital Heart Disease Skills: Dealing with Challenging Conditions –Pearls and Pitfalls

• General Thoracic Skills: Implementing Innovation: What Future Leaders Need to Know

• Allied Health Personnel Symposium: Advancing the Team Based Care Management Model in Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Therapies for End-Stage Thoracic Organ Failure with an Emphasis on ECMO, MCS and Transplant

Sunday, April 26th

• AATS/STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Symposium: Decision Making in Adult Cardiac Surg

• AATS/STS Congenital Heart Disease Symposium: Unsettled and Unanswered Questions in Congenital Heart Surgery

• AATS/STS General Thoracic Surgery Symposium: The Evolving Role of Thoracic Surgeons

View full Saturday and Sunday programs online: http://aats.org/annualmeeting/Program-Books/2015/Program.cgi

Saturday and Sunday Courses and Symposium

Register for a Saturday course and/or a Sunday symposium, and you will have access to all other courses/symposia taking place that same day. You must select a primary course and will receive one syllabus book for that selection. Additional course syllabi will be available for purchase onsite for $25 each.

Sunday Symposia Legends Luncheon

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear from true pioneers in cardiothoracic surgery as they share their experiences during the interactive Legends Luncheons at each postgraduate symposium.

Speakers include:

• Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub — Imperial College, London

• Jean Deslauriers — IUCPQ, Canada

You must be registered for a Sunday postgraduate symposium to attend the Legends Luncheons.

Mark your calendar to join cardiothoracic surgery professionals from around the world for a five-day program of state-of-the-art presentations by renowned experts. Attendees will enhance their knowledge and skills in a wide-range of subjects including general and specialized cardiac surgery, emerging technologies, congenital heart disease, critical care and aortic/endovascular.

AATS 95th Annual Meeting

April 25 – 29, 2015

Washington State Convention Center

Seattle, WA

President & Annual Meeting Chair 

Pedro J. del Nido

Annual Meeting Co-Chairs

David H. Adams

Yolonda L. Colson

AATS is excited to be hosting its Annual Meeting in Seattle for the first time. This vibrant city combines sophisticated urbanity with the unpretentious natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. Nicknamed the “Emerald City” for its lush evergreen forests, Seattle has something for everyone — culture, entertainment, shopping, restaurants and outdoor activities. And, Seattle is the home of great coffee, which can be purchased from carts on every corner.

The meeting site — the recently renovated Washington State Convention Center — is located in the heart of downtown. Within walking distance is Seattle’s famous Space Needle, where visitors can view the city, Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainer, the waters of Elliott Bay and surrounding forests from the 520-foot observation deck. Other attractions nearby are the Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, water tours and ferries. Visitors and Seattleites enjoy Seattle’s lively downtown, great shopping, wonderful restaurants, espresso carts on every corner, and thriving community full of live theatre and museu

Attend the Saturday and Sunday Symposia, which include:

Saturday, April 25th

• Adult Cardiac Skills: How I Would Like My Operation Done

• Congenital Heart Disease Skills: Dealing with Challenging Conditions –Pearls and Pitfalls

• General Thoracic Skills: Implementing Innovation: What Future Leaders Need to Know

• Allied Health Personnel Symposium: Advancing the Team Based Care Management Model in Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Therapies for End-Stage Thoracic Organ Failure with an Emphasis on ECMO, MCS and Transplant

Sunday, April 26th

• AATS/STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Symposium: Decision Making in Adult Cardiac Surg

• AATS/STS Congenital Heart Disease Symposium: Unsettled and Unanswered Questions in Congenital Heart Surgery

• AATS/STS General Thoracic Surgery Symposium: The Evolving Role of Thoracic Surgeons

View full Saturday and Sunday programs online: http://aats.org/annualmeeting/Program-Books/2015/Program.cgi

Saturday and Sunday Courses and Symposium

Register for a Saturday course and/or a Sunday symposium, and you will have access to all other courses/symposia taking place that same day. You must select a primary course and will receive one syllabus book for that selection. Additional course syllabi will be available for purchase onsite for $25 each.

Sunday Symposia Legends Luncheon

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to hear from true pioneers in cardiothoracic surgery as they share their experiences during the interactive Legends Luncheons at each postgraduate symposium.

Speakers include:

• Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub — Imperial College, London

• Jean Deslauriers — IUCPQ, Canada

You must be registered for a Sunday postgraduate symposium to attend the Legends Luncheons.

The 2015 Grant Writing Workshop, organized by the AATS Scientific Affairs and Government Relations Committee, will offer a better understanding of the complexities of grant preparation and submission, as well as techniques for writing top quality submissions. This full-day program is for academic cardiothoracic surgeons on all levels.

March 27, 2015
Doubletree Bethesda
Bethesda, MD (nine miles from Washington, DC)

Course Directors
David R. Jones, Memorial Sloan-Kettering

Y. Joseph Woo, Stanford University

Workshop Elements
Attendees will hear presentations and interact with well-known cardiothoracic surgery leaders and NIH staff during a didactic session, interactive panel discussions and a mock study session.

By the end of the program, they will have learned how to:

• Create Career Development and Training Grants.

• Analyze Outcomes Research and Clinical Research Networks.

• Assess the Structure and Components of a Grant.

• Identify Extramural Program and Funding Opportunities — NCI and NHLBI.

• Become a NIH investigator.

The workshop program, registration and housing information are available by clicking here.

The 2015 Grant Writing Workshop, organized by the AATS Scientific Affairs and Government Relations Committee, will offer a better understanding of the complexities of grant preparation and submission, as well as techniques for writing top quality submissions. This full-day program is for academic cardiothoracic surgeons on all levels.

March 27, 2015
Doubletree Bethesda
Bethesda, MD (nine miles from Washington, DC)

Course Directors
David R. Jones, Memorial Sloan-Kettering

Y. Joseph Woo, Stanford University

Workshop Elements
Attendees will hear presentations and interact with well-known cardiothoracic surgery leaders and NIH staff during a didactic session, interactive panel discussions and a mock study session.

By the end of the program, they will have learned how to:

• Create Career Development and Training Grants.

• Analyze Outcomes Research and Clinical Research Networks.

• Assess the Structure and Components of a Grant.

• Identify Extramural Program and Funding Opportunities — NCI and NHLBI.

• Become a NIH investigator.

The workshop program, registration and housing information are available by clicking here.

The 2015 Grant Writing Workshop, organized by the AATS Scientific Affairs and Government Relations Committee, will offer a better understanding of the complexities of grant preparation and submission, as well as techniques for writing top quality submissions. This full-day program is for academic cardiothoracic surgeons on all levels.

March 27, 2015
Doubletree Bethesda
Bethesda, MD (nine miles from Washington, DC)

Course Directors
David R. Jones, Memorial Sloan-Kettering

Y. Joseph Woo, Stanford University

Workshop Elements
Attendees will hear presentations and interact with well-known cardiothoracic surgery leaders and NIH staff during a didactic session, interactive panel discussions and a mock study session.

By the end of the program, they will have learned how to:

• Create Career Development and Training Grants.

• Analyze Outcomes Research and Clinical Research Networks.

• Assess the Structure and Components of a Grant.

• Identify Extramural Program and Funding Opportunities — NCI and NHLBI.

• Become a NIH investigator.

The workshop program, registration and housing information are available by clicking here.

I assumed the position of Editor with the October issue very appreciative of the current status of the Journal. The impact factor is at an all-time high and we have an excellent cadre of Associate Editors, Editorial Board  members and reviewers. Over the next few years, we hope to further increase the impact of the Journal for our specialty and improve the efficiency of the review process. Most important, we aim to enhance the communication with our readers by providing content they want in formats they prefer.

The newly developed mission of the Journal is “Advancing Excellence and Impact on the Specialty.” To facilitate this mission we have identified several factors which contribute to the number of citations, hits, and downloads for any given article. These three metrics are the most important indicators of high quality papers for our specialty. Therefore, in pursuit of increasing the excellence and impact of our content, the Associate Editors and reviewers will provide the highest priority to prospective multi-centered reports with long term follow-up which garner the most usage and recognition from our peers interested in cardiothoracic diseases. In addition, we have recruited a group of specialized reviewers to work in concert with the Statistical Editor to ensure that all accepted papers have conclusions supported by convincing statistics.

With increased efficiency, the time to our first response to authors has been reduced and moving forward we hope to minimize that time to 14 days from the time of manuscript submission. We have nearly eliminated the backlog and papers will soon be published less than 3 months after acceptance.

To facilitate usage and enhance Journal content, we will be providing our readers the reasons for selecting each paper and what impact we anticipate the information will have on the field. Authors will be asked to explain the significance of their observations in a section entitled “Authors Perspective.” Each paper will also have a central picture which will identify the chief contribution of the publication. In addition, we will publish an Editorial Commentary with almost every paper that will describe the importance and relevance to our specialty. The AATS is currently working on several Guidelines and we will publish additional Expert Opinions and Expert Reviews.

In the future, we hope to improve communication with our readers, and welcome ideas on how to best to enrich the delivery of our content. We are excited to soon be able to offer improved platforms to deliver our material in print, on computers, tablets, and smartphones. You may have already noticed some of these initiatives and we will continue to roll out additional modifications over time. Our efforts to enhance the Journal and our communications with our readers are our top priority.

If you have any questions or comments for the Journal as part of our communication effort, email us at JTCVS@aats.org. My hope is that the changes we are instituting will improve the experience and increase value of our Journal.

Sincerely,

Richard D. Weisel, MD

Editor, Journal of Thoracic and 
Cardiovascular Surgery

JTCVS@aats.org

I assumed the position of Editor with the October issue very appreciative of the current status of the Journal. The impact factor is at an all-time high and we have an excellent cadre of Associate Editors, Editorial Board  members and reviewers. Over the next few years, we hope to further increase the impact of the Journal for our specialty and improve the efficiency of the review process. Most important, we aim to enhance the communication with our readers by providing content they want in formats they prefer.

The newly developed mission of the Journal is “Advancing Excellence and Impact on the Specialty.” To facilitate this mission we have identified several factors which contribute to the number of citations, hits, and downloads for any given article. These three metrics are the most important indicators of high quality papers for our specialty. Therefore, in pursuit of increasing the excellence and impact of our content, the Associate Editors and reviewers will provide the highest priority to prospective multi-centered reports with long term follow-up which garner the most usage and recognition from our peers interested in cardiothoracic diseases. In addition, we have recruited a group of specialized reviewers to work in concert with the Statistical Editor to ensure that all accepted papers have conclusions supported by convincing statistics.

With increased efficiency, the time to our first response to authors has been reduced and moving forward we hope to minimize that time to 14 days from the time of manuscript submission. We have nearly eliminated the backlog and papers will soon be published less than 3 months after acceptance.

To facilitate usage and enhance Journal content, we will be providing our readers the reasons for selecting each paper and what impact we anticipate the information will have on the field. Authors will be asked to explain the significance of their observations in a section entitled “Authors Perspective.” Each paper will also have a central picture which will identify the chief contribution of the publication. In addition, we will publish an Editorial Commentary with almost every paper that will describe the importance and relevance to our specialty. The AATS is currently working on several Guidelines and we will publish additional Expert Opinions and Expert Reviews.

In the future, we hope to improve communication with our readers, and welcome ideas on how to best to enrich the delivery of our content. We are excited to soon be able to offer improved platforms to deliver our material in print, on computers, tablets, and smartphones. You may have already noticed some of these initiatives and we will continue to roll out additional modifications over time. Our efforts to enhance the Journal and our communications with our readers are our top priority.

If you have any questions or comments for the Journal as part of our communication effort, email us at JTCVS@aats.org. My hope is that the changes we are instituting will improve the experience and increase value of our Journal.

Sincerely,

Richard D. Weisel, MD

Editor, Journal of Thoracic and 
Cardiovascular Surgery

JTCVS@aats.org

I assumed the position of Editor with the October issue very appreciative of the current status of the Journal. The impact factor is at an all-time high and we have an excellent cadre of Associate Editors, Editorial Board  members and reviewers. Over the next few years, we hope to further increase the impact of the Journal for our specialty and improve the efficiency of the review process. Most important, we aim to enhance the communication with our readers by providing content they want in formats they prefer.

The newly developed mission of the Journal is “Advancing Excellence and Impact on the Specialty.” To facilitate this mission we have identified several factors which contribute to the number of citations, hits, and downloads for any given article. These three metrics are the most important indicators of high quality papers for our specialty. Therefore, in pursuit of increasing the excellence and impact of our content, the Associate Editors and reviewers will provide the highest priority to prospective multi-centered reports with long term follow-up which garner the most usage and recognition from our peers interested in cardiothoracic diseases. In addition, we have recruited a group of specialized reviewers to work in concert with the Statistical Editor to ensure that all accepted papers have conclusions supported by convincing statistics.

With increased efficiency, the time to our first response to authors has been reduced and moving forward we hope to minimize that time to 14 days from the time of manuscript submission. We have nearly eliminated the backlog and papers will soon be published less than 3 months after acceptance.

To facilitate usage and enhance Journal content, we will be providing our readers the reasons for selecting each paper and what impact we anticipate the information will have on the field. Authors will be asked to explain the significance of their observations in a section entitled “Authors Perspective.” Each paper will also have a central picture which will identify the chief contribution of the publication. In addition, we will publish an Editorial Commentary with almost every paper that will describe the importance and relevance to our specialty. The AATS is currently working on several Guidelines and we will publish additional Expert Opinions and Expert Reviews.

In the future, we hope to improve communication with our readers, and welcome ideas on how to best to enrich the delivery of our content. We are excited to soon be able to offer improved platforms to deliver our material in print, on computers, tablets, and smartphones. You may have already noticed some of these initiatives and we will continue to roll out additional modifications over time. Our efforts to enhance the Journal and our communications with our readers are our top priority.

If you have any questions or comments for the Journal as part of our communication effort, email us at JTCVS@aats.org. My hope is that the changes we are instituting will improve the experience and increase value of our Journal.

Sincerely,

Richard D. Weisel, MD

Editor, Journal of Thoracic and 
Cardiovascular Surgery

JTCVS@aats.org

Mark your calendar to join cardiothoracic surgery professionals from around the world for a five-day program of state-of-the-art presentations by renowned experts. Attendees will enhance their knowledge and skills in a wide-range of subjects including general and specialized cardiac surgery, emerging technologies, congenital heart disease, critical care and aortic/endovascular.

AATS 95th Annual Meeting

April 25 – 29, 2015

Washington State Convention 
Center

Seattle, WA, USA

President & Annual Meeting Chair

Pedro J. del Nido

Annual Meeting Co-Chair

David H. Adams

Yolonda L. Colson

AATS is excited to be hosting its Annual Meeting in Seattle for the first time. This vibrant city combines sophisticated urbanity with the unpretentious natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. Nicknamed the “Emerald City” for its lush evergreen forests, Seattle has something for everyone — culture, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, and outdoor activities. And, Seattle is the home of great coffee, which can be purchased from carts on every corner.

The meeting site — the recently renovated Washington State Convention Center — is located in the heart of downtown. Within walking distance is Seattle’s famous Space Needle, where visitors can view the city, Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainer, the waters of Elliott Bay, and surrounding forests from the 520-foot observation deck. Other attractions nearby are the Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, water tours, and ferries. Visitors and Seattleites enjoy Seattle’s lively downtown, great shopping, wonderful restaurants, espresso carts on every corner, and thriving community full of live theatre and museums.

Don’t Miss the Saturday and 
Sunday Symposia Including:

Saturday, April 25th

▶  Adult Cardiac Skills: How I Would Like My Operation Done

▶  Congenital Heart Disease Skills: Dealing with Challenging Conditions – Pearls and Pitfalls

▶  General Thoracic Skills: Implementing Innovation: What Future Leaders Need to Know

▶  Allied Health Personnel Symposium: Advancing the Team Based Care Management Model in Cardiothoracic Surgery

▶  Therapies for End-Stage Thoracic Organ Failure with an Emphasis on ECMO, MCS, and Transplant

Sunday, April 26th

▶  AATS/STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Symposium: Decision Making in Adult Cardiac Surgery

▶  AATS/STS Congenital Heart Disease Symposium: Unsettled and Unanswered Questions in Congenital Heart Surgery

▶  AATS/STS General Thoracic Surgery Symposium: The Evolving Role of Thoracic Surgeons

View full Saturday and Sunday programs online.

Visit www.aats.org/annualmeeting.

Saturday and Sunday Registration Covers All Courses/Symposium for the Day

When you register for the Saturday course and Sunday symposia, you will be able to attend any of the courses or symposia taking place on that day.

Registration and Housing for the Annual Meeting will open in December.

For more information, please visit www.aats.org/annualmeeting 

Mark your calendar to join cardiothoracic surgery professionals from around the world for a five-day program of state-of-the-art presentations by renowned experts. Attendees will enhance their knowledge and skills in a wide-range of subjects including general and specialized cardiac surgery, emerging technologies, congenital heart disease, critical care and aortic/endovascular.

AATS 95th Annual Meeting

April 25 – 29, 2015

Washington State Convention 
Center

Seattle, WA, USA

President & Annual Meeting Chair

Pedro J. del Nido

Annual Meeting Co-Chair

David H. Adams

Yolonda L. Colson

AATS is excited to be hosting its Annual Meeting in Seattle for the first time. This vibrant city combines sophisticated urbanity with the unpretentious natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. Nicknamed the “Emerald City” for its lush evergreen forests, Seattle has something for everyone — culture, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, and outdoor activities. And, Seattle is the home of great coffee, which can be purchased from carts on every corner.

The meeting site — the recently renovated Washington State Convention Center — is located in the heart of downtown. Within walking distance is Seattle’s famous Space Needle, where visitors can view the city, Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainer, the waters of Elliott Bay, and surrounding forests from the 520-foot observation deck. Other attractions nearby are the Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, water tours, and ferries. Visitors and Seattleites enjoy Seattle’s lively downtown, great shopping, wonderful restaurants, espresso carts on every corner, and thriving community full of live theatre and museums.

Don’t Miss the Saturday and 
Sunday Symposia Including:

Saturday, April 25th

▶  Adult Cardiac Skills: How I Would Like My Operation Done

▶  Congenital Heart Disease Skills: Dealing with Challenging Conditions – Pearls and Pitfalls

▶  General Thoracic Skills: Implementing Innovation: What Future Leaders Need to Know

▶  Allied Health Personnel Symposium: Advancing the Team Based Care Management Model in Cardiothoracic Surgery

▶  Therapies for End-Stage Thoracic Organ Failure with an Emphasis on ECMO, MCS, and Transplant

Sunday, April 26th

▶  AATS/STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Symposium: Decision Making in Adult Cardiac Surgery

▶  AATS/STS Congenital Heart Disease Symposium: Unsettled and Unanswered Questions in Congenital Heart Surgery

▶  AATS/STS General Thoracic Surgery Symposium: The Evolving Role of Thoracic Surgeons

View full Saturday and Sunday programs online.

Visit www.aats.org/annualmeeting.

Saturday and Sunday Registration Covers All Courses/Symposium for the Day

When you register for the Saturday course and Sunday symposia, you will be able to attend any of the courses or symposia taking place on that day.

Registration and Housing for the Annual Meeting will open in December.

For more information, please visit www.aats.org/annualmeeting 

Mark your calendar to join cardiothoracic surgery professionals from around the world for a five-day program of state-of-the-art presentations by renowned experts. Attendees will enhance their knowledge and skills in a wide-range of subjects including general and specialized cardiac surgery, emerging technologies, congenital heart disease, critical care and aortic/endovascular.

AATS 95th Annual Meeting

April 25 – 29, 2015

Washington State Convention 
Center

Seattle, WA, USA

President & Annual Meeting Chair

Pedro J. del Nido

Annual Meeting Co-Chair

David H. Adams

Yolonda L. Colson

AATS is excited to be hosting its Annual Meeting in Seattle for the first time. This vibrant city combines sophisticated urbanity with the unpretentious natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. Nicknamed the “Emerald City” for its lush evergreen forests, Seattle has something for everyone — culture, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, and outdoor activities. And, Seattle is the home of great coffee, which can be purchased from carts on every corner.

The meeting site — the recently renovated Washington State Convention Center — is located in the heart of downtown. Within walking distance is Seattle’s famous Space Needle, where visitors can view the city, Cascade Mountains and Mt. Rainer, the waters of Elliott Bay, and surrounding forests from the 520-foot observation deck. Other attractions nearby are the Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, water tours, and ferries. Visitors and Seattleites enjoy Seattle’s lively downtown, great shopping, wonderful restaurants, espresso carts on every corner, and thriving community full of live theatre and museums.

Don’t Miss the Saturday and 
Sunday Symposia Including:

Saturday, April 25th

▶  Adult Cardiac Skills: How I Would Like My Operation Done

▶  Congenital Heart Disease Skills: Dealing with Challenging Conditions – Pearls and Pitfalls

▶  General Thoracic Skills: Implementing Innovation: What Future Leaders Need to Know

▶  Allied Health Personnel Symposium: Advancing the Team Based Care Management Model in Cardiothoracic Surgery

▶  Therapies for End-Stage Thoracic Organ Failure with an Emphasis on ECMO, MCS, and Transplant

Sunday, April 26th

▶  AATS/STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Symposium: Decision Making in Adult Cardiac Surgery

▶  AATS/STS Congenital Heart Disease Symposium: Unsettled and Unanswered Questions in Congenital Heart Surgery

▶  AATS/STS General Thoracic Surgery Symposium: The Evolving Role of Thoracic Surgeons

View full Saturday and Sunday programs online.

Visit www.aats.org/annualmeeting.

Saturday and Sunday Registration Covers All Courses/Symposium for the Day

When you register for the Saturday course and Sunday symposia, you will be able to attend any of the courses or symposia taking place on that day.

Registration and Housing for the Annual Meeting will open in December.

For more information, please visit www.aats.org/annualmeeting 

Third Alton Oschsner Research Scholarship awardees: Dr. Jonathan Spicer (McGill University) and Dr. Prashanth Vallabhajosyula (University of Pennsylvania).

Dr. Jonathan Spicer will conduct research on the role of neutrophil extracellular traps in cancer metastasis. McGill will receive $80,000 over a two-year period in support of his research.

Dr. Prashanth Vallabhajosyula will conduct research on donor Heart-Specific Exosome Platform for Monitoring Rejection in Heart Transplantation. The University of Pennsylvania will receive $80,000 over a two-year period in support of his research.

Learn more about the scholarship: http://aats.org/research/Grants/Research_Scholarship.cgi.

The Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship recipient: Dr. Yaxing Shen (Zhongsham Hospital/Fudan University).

Dr. Yaxing Shen will spend his Fellowship at Duke University under the guidance of Dr. Thomas D’Amico. Dr. Shen will use additional time to visit Drs. Alec Patterson (Washington University) and Mark Ferguson (University of Chicago).

Learn more about the Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship: http://aats.org/EducationTraining/ClinicalFellowships/GrahamMemorial.cgi.

Cardiothoracic Ethics Forum 
Scholarship awardees: Drs. Jennifer Ellis (MedStar Washington Hospital), John Entwistle (Thomas Jefferson University), and Kathleen Fenton (International Children’s Heart Foundation)

This new scholarship provides opportunities for intellectual development and preparation for leadership roles in CT ethics.

Dr. Jennifer Ellis will be attending the Intensive Bioethics Course at Georgetown University.

Dr. John Entwistle will be attending the Intensive Bioethics Course at Georgetown University.

Dr. Kathleen Fenton will be enrolling in the Bioethics program at Albany Medical College.

Learn more about the scholarship: http://www.ctsnet.org/cardiothoracic-ethics-forum-scholarship.

Third Alton Oschsner Research Scholarship awardees: Dr. Jonathan Spicer (McGill University) and Dr. Prashanth Vallabhajosyula (University of Pennsylvania).

Dr. Jonathan Spicer will conduct research on the role of neutrophil extracellular traps in cancer metastasis. McGill will receive $80,000 over a two-year period in support of his research.

Dr. Prashanth Vallabhajosyula will conduct research on donor Heart-Specific Exosome Platform for Monitoring Rejection in Heart Transplantation. The University of Pennsylvania will receive $80,000 over a two-year period in support of his research.

Learn more about the scholarship: http://aats.org/research/Grants/Research_Scholarship.cgi.

The Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship recipient: Dr. Yaxing Shen (Zhongsham Hospital/Fudan University).

Dr. Yaxing Shen will spend his Fellowship at Duke University under the guidance of Dr. Thomas D’Amico. Dr. Shen will use additional time to visit Drs. Alec Patterson (Washington University) and Mark Ferguson (University of Chicago).

Learn more about the Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship: http://aats.org/EducationTraining/ClinicalFellowships/GrahamMemorial.cgi.

Cardiothoracic Ethics Forum 
Scholarship awardees: Drs. Jennifer Ellis (MedStar Washington Hospital), John Entwistle (Thomas Jefferson University), and Kathleen Fenton (International Children’s Heart Foundation)

This new scholarship provides opportunities for intellectual development and preparation for leadership roles in CT ethics.

Dr. Jennifer Ellis will be attending the Intensive Bioethics Course at Georgetown University.

Dr. John Entwistle will be attending the Intensive Bioethics Course at Georgetown University.

Dr. Kathleen Fenton will be enrolling in the Bioethics program at Albany Medical College.

Learn more about the scholarship: http://www.ctsnet.org/cardiothoracic-ethics-forum-scholarship.

Third Alton Oschsner Research Scholarship awardees: Dr. Jonathan Spicer (McGill University) and Dr. Prashanth Vallabhajosyula (University of Pennsylvania).

Dr. Jonathan Spicer will conduct research on the role of neutrophil extracellular traps in cancer metastasis. McGill will receive $80,000 over a two-year period in support of his research.

Dr. Prashanth Vallabhajosyula will conduct research on donor Heart-Specific Exosome Platform for Monitoring Rejection in Heart Transplantation. The University of Pennsylvania will receive $80,000 over a two-year period in support of his research.

Learn more about the scholarship: http://aats.org/research/Grants/Research_Scholarship.cgi.

The Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship recipient: Dr. Yaxing Shen (Zhongsham Hospital/Fudan University).

Dr. Yaxing Shen will spend his Fellowship at Duke University under the guidance of Dr. Thomas D’Amico. Dr. Shen will use additional time to visit Drs. Alec Patterson (Washington University) and Mark Ferguson (University of Chicago).

Learn more about the Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship: http://aats.org/EducationTraining/ClinicalFellowships/GrahamMemorial.cgi.

Cardiothoracic Ethics Forum 
Scholarship awardees: Drs. Jennifer Ellis (MedStar Washington Hospital), John Entwistle (Thomas Jefferson University), and Kathleen Fenton (International Children’s Heart Foundation)

This new scholarship provides opportunities for intellectual development and preparation for leadership roles in CT ethics.

Dr. Jennifer Ellis will be attending the Intensive Bioethics Course at Georgetown University.

Dr. John Entwistle will be attending the Intensive Bioethics Course at Georgetown University.

Dr. Kathleen Fenton will be enrolling in the Bioethics program at Albany Medical College.

Learn more about the scholarship: http://www.ctsnet.org/cardiothoracic-ethics-forum-scholarship.