Surgical Hot Topics

Congratulations—you’ve landed the leadership role you’ve been working toward. After months (or years) of strategic effort, your appointment is finalized and the path forward begins. Whether you're stepping into a new position or pioneering an inaugural role, this change is as much about vision and preparation as it is about execution.

In this episode, we explore essential considerations to help ease the transition and set yourself...

Co-hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira have a fascinating conversation with Dr. Ross Ungerleider, a congenital heart surgeon at University of North Carolina Health, and his wife, Dr. Jamie Ungerleider, an educational psychologist, about their research and personal experiences supporting surgeons and their families, with a particular focus on spousal wellness. Their work emphasizes the importance of addressing the well-bein...

In a significant move, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring plan aimed at streamlining operations. This initiative will see the agency's workforce reduced by 10,000 full-time employees, alongside the consolidation of 28 divisions into 15. The workforce reduction is part of a larger administration-wide effort, cutting HHS's total employee count from 82,000 to 62,000.

The re...

In the latest episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, live from #STS 2025, co-hosts Drs. Sara Pereira and Cherie Erkmen speak with Dr. Stephen Yang, a professor of surgery and medical oncology at Johns Hopkins University, about how the cardiothoracic specialty can be further diversified through initiatives such as the Looking to the Future Scholarship. They also discuss how providing medical students and residents with mentorship...

In a bold move, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has unveiled plans for a comprehensive restructuring of health agencies. This initiative is in response to President Trump's Executive Order on implementing the "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative.

The restructuring plan includes two major actions, with the most significant ...

In this episode of Thinking Thoracic, co-host Dr. Jeff Yang welcomes Dr. Gavitt Woodard and Dr. Christopher Seder to discuss their recent research on lobectomy versus sublobar resection for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Their studies, leveraging data from The STS General Thoracic Surgery Database, provide valuable insights into the long-term survival outcomes of these surgical approaches.

Hear from Dr. Woodard on how her ...

In this episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, new co-host Dr. Sara Pereira sits down with Dr. A.J. Carpenter, a cardiothoracic surgeon at UT Health, to explore her journey—from ski bum to earning a master's and PhD in physical education, working as a scientist, and becoming one of the first women to be board-certified in thoracic surgery. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Carpenter highlights the significance of mentorship, both...

In the latest episode of Same Surgeon, Different Light, new co-host Dr. Cherie Erkmen explores the inspiring story of Dr. Andrea Wolf, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital who is also a single mom. Dr. Wolf shares the challenges and rewards of balancing her career with motherhood, highlighting how her son has influenced both her professional and personal life. Tune in to hear about her unique career path and the persona...

In this episode, we delve into the significant contributions of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to the US healthcare system. IMGs are physicians who earned their medical degrees outside the United States, including US citizens who attended medical schools abroad.

Discover how these dedicated professionals make up approximately 25% of the physician workforce in the US, bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to patie...

The Annual Meeting for the STS is approaching fast, marking the 61st gathering of our Society. This tradition began in January 1965 in St. Louis, and continues to be a pivotal event in our community.

An interesting milestone in our history was the 34th Annual Meeting in January 1998, held in New Orleans. It was the first to offer virtual attendance, allowing participants to experience digitized slides synchronized with audio files...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized a significant policy change concerning the coding and reimbursements associated with 90-day surgical global periods. This development is poised to impact reimbursement processes for surgeons and their teams.

With the new policy set to take effect on January 1, 2025, it is crucial for medical professionals to familiarize themselves with the details to ensure a smo...

The 2025 STS Annual Meeting marked an unforgettable experience for attendees, offering a vibrant platform for cardiothoracic surgeons to connect and share insights. This gathering provided an invaluable opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the field.

A highlight of the event was the remarkable success of the STS-PAC fundraising efforts. Thanks to the generous contributions of 91 members, an impressive $84...

The 2025 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting was an incredible experience, bringing together experts and professionals in the field. The vibrant city of Los Angeles served as a beautiful host, showcasing its resilience and strength.

Amidst the backdrop of recent tragic wildfires, the community's ability to come together and overcome adversity was truly inspiring. The event highlighted both the advancements in thoracic surg...

In this episode, hear from Thinking Thoracic hosts, Drs. Erin Gillaspie, Hari Keshava, Jeff Yang, and Jane Yanagawa as they participated in a sublobar debate on extent of resection that took place at the 2025 STS Annual Meeting. Are you Team Wedge or Team Segment? Hear the unique perspectives and best practices from these experts on the extent of resection and quality metrics in lung cancer care, as well as other changing trends. 

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In the season premiere of Same Surgeon, Different Light, new co-hosts Dr. Cherie Erkmen and Dr. Sara Pereira sit down with Dr. David T. Cooke, professor in the Division of General Thoracic Surgery at UC Davis Health, and Dr. Thomas Varghese, professor and section chief of General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Together, they reflect on the surprising and inspiring stories shared throughout previous s...