- Email: [email protected]
WTSA 41st Annual Meeting
Announcements
from around the world a chance to study clinical techniques at a secondary institution. Our new Resident Poster Session Scholarship for thoracic surgical residents has become extremely popular and competitive, along with the Critical Care Scholarship program that boasts over 50 students expected to participate in 2014! The AATS Graham Foundation Fellowship for Advanced EBUS Training Program (sponsored by Olympus America) provides an educational experience for young thoracic surgeons from North America to spend a focused period of between one month and four months’ time studying clinical techniques at a host institution proficient in EBUS. The AATS Graham Foundation Intuitive Surgical Robotics Fellowship provided an advanced educational experience for 8 North American general thoracic Fellows and their attending surgeons to spend a two-day
The Western Thoracic Surgical Association WTSA 41st Annual Meeting June 24-27, 2015 Fairmont Chateau Whistler Whistler, British Columbia, Canada Visit the WTSA Web site at www.westernthoracic.org to: Register before the Monday, May 18, 2015, Early Bird deadline, and avoid a US$100 increase in most registration fees; Reserve your hotel room before the Saturday, May 23, 2015, housing deadline (although it is possible the block of rooms—or specific room types—set aside for the Western will fill before this cut-off date, so you are strongly encouraged to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible); and Receive updates on the latest Annual Meeting program details, venue activities, and local attractions. SCIENTIFIC HIGHLIGHTS
period at Intuitive Surgical’s Atlanta, GA, facility to experience an introductory training course on Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci System. The Honoring Our Mentors Fellowship program, initially honoring F. Griffith Pearson, enables North American surgeons who have recently completed their residency in general thoracic surgery to spend a focused period of four (4) to six (6) weeks’ time studying clinical techniques at a host institution in North America. Since our parent Association, the AATS, underwrites all operational costs of the Foundation, 100% of all individuals’ contributions to go directly to Foundation programming. The AATS Graham Research Foundation is driving leadership, learning, and innovation in the pursuit of excellence! For more information on the AATS Graham Foundation, please visit http://aatsgrahamfoundation.org.
Friday, June 25, 2015 Simultaneous Breakfast Sessions Lung Cancer Screening in the Post-Approval Era Richard I. Whyte, Boston, MA Douglas E. Wood, Seattle, WA Prosthetic Valve Selection in the Era of Transcatheter Valves Anson Cheung, Vancouver, BC Thomas K. Jones, Seattle, WA Postgraduate Course Innovations in the Access to New Medical Devices Michael J. Mack, Plano, TX Saturday, June 26, 2015 C. Walton Lillehei Point/Counterpoint Session Is the Proliferation of Portable ECMO Devices Beneficial to Society? Pro: Craig H. Selzman, Salt Lake City, UT Con: D. Michael McMullan, Seattle, WA
Thursday, June 24, 2015
SOCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Presidential Address Achieving ‘‘Flow’’ in Surgery Michael S. Mulligan, Seattle, WA
Each registration includes access to Wednesday’s New Members/Welcome Reception, Thursday’s Samson Fun Run and Mountain Sports Street Party Theme Dinner, and Saturday’s Family Luncheon and President’s Banquet. (Registered children, ages 4-18, have access to supervised Children’s Receptions during the New Members/Welcome Reception and President’s Banquet.)
Controversies Debate Should Patient and Physician Values/Expectations Be Consonant? Suzanne Arnold, Kansas City, MO James Matthew Brennan, Durham, NC
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery c Volume 149, Number 6
1689
Announcements
You may also supplement your Annual Meeting experience with these events: Thursday’s Optional Tours* Friday’s Golf Tournament* Friday’s Tennis Tournament* *Separate Registration Required ACCREDITATION This activity is being planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accredi-
The American Board of Thoracic Surgery ABTS Announcement The American Board of Thoracic Surgery’s Maintenance of Certification program was adopted 7 years ago. Since that time, there has been a continuous evaluation in the Board’s thinking about the overall process, based upon internal discussions and input from our diplomates. These inputs resulted in our decision to migrate from a purely knowledge-based multiple-choice exam, using a Pearson Testing Center, to a Mastery Learning Process, using a SESATS format. Diplomates, enrolled in this year’s (2015) 10-year MOC process, will fulfill their Part III requirement by completion of a home or office-based secure learning exam, following the instructions on the ABTS Web site. In brief, you will be directed to a secure Web site, administered by Software Secure. The only special computer hardware needed will be a camera for your home or office computer (most laptops now come with a built-in camera). Once logged in, you will be asked to verify your identity by holding up your driver’s license with your picture next to your face. You will be visually monitored for the time you are logged onto the Web site. There are 100 SESATS questions (primarily taken from SESATS X), based on your specialty designation (Adult Cardiac, General Thoracic, Cardiothoracic, and Congenital), that you will need to work through as instructed. The exam will now be modular and tailored to your practice—for example, if your practice is 100% adult cardiac, you will only have adult cardiac and critical care questions. You will have 15 hours with as many as 10 logins to complete the 100 questions during the months of September and October 2015. For those diplomates who have used SESATS in the past, the process of working through the questions is the same. For those who aren’t familiar with SESATS, it might be beneficial to purchase and download SESATS X and work through the specialty-specific module. This preparation will give you familiarity with the process. While SESATS X may be helpful preparation, it is not required. 1690
tation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA). The AATS is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This live activity will be designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The goal of this exam is to provide a learning opportunity using judgement and decision making as well as knowledge. There is no grade involved, but you will be given the percentage of questions you answered correctly on the first try. Not passing this exam would result from either not completing the 100 questions in the 15-hour and 10-login limit or by rushing through the questions without reading the critique. The Board and MOC Committee believe that reading the critique is key to the learning process using SESATS. The Software Secure reporting system will allow us to verify the pace of completion and thus limit the passing grades to those who earnestly participate in the process. The Board sincerely hopes that this pilot of life-long learning is viewed favorably by our diplomates. If the diplomates find this form of learning better than the previous approach that used a secured multiple-choice test administered in a remote testing center, the Board will continue with this new strategy and refine SESATS as we go forward to assure that new standards of care are communicated to members of the ABTS community as part of the MOC process. There will be a brief survey following the last SESATS question, which needs to be completed to officially finish the process. Everyone at the ABTS thanks you for embracing the primary principle of MOC—life-long learning, which is consistent with our obligation to the public trust.
ABTS Requirements for the 10-Year Milestone for Maintenance of Certification Diplomates of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) who plan to participate in the 10-Year Milestone for the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process as Certified-Active must hold a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine. Diplomates must provide delineation of privileges at a hospital(s) accredited by the JCAHO or other institutions judged acceptable by the Board. Diplomates must also submit letter(s) of reference documenting their level of clinical activity and stature within
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery c June 2015
from around the world a chance to study clinical techniques at a secondary institution. Our new Resident Poster Session Scholarship for thoracic surgical residents has become extremely popular and competitive, along with the Critical Care Scholarship program that boasts over 50 students expected to participate in 2014! The AATS Graham Foundation Fellowship for Advanced EBUS Training Program (sponsored by Olympus America) provides an educational experience for young thoracic surgeons from North America to spend a focused period of between one month and four months’ time studying clinical techniques at a host institution proficient in EBUS. The AATS Graham Foundation Intuitive Surgical Robotics Fellowship provided an advanced educational experience for 8 North American general thoracic Fellows and their attending surgeons to spend a two-day
The Western Thoracic Surgical Association WTSA 41st Annual Meeting June 24-27, 2015 Fairmont Chateau Whistler Whistler, British Columbia, Canada Visit the WTSA Web site at www.westernthoracic.org to: Register before the Monday, May 18, 2015, Early Bird deadline, and avoid a US$100 increase in most registration fees; Reserve your hotel room before the Saturday, May 23, 2015, housing deadline (although it is possible the block of rooms—or specific room types—set aside for the Western will fill before this cut-off date, so you are strongly encouraged to make your hotel reservations as soon as possible); and Receive updates on the latest Annual Meeting program details, venue activities, and local attractions. SCIENTIFIC HIGHLIGHTS
period at Intuitive Surgical’s Atlanta, GA, facility to experience an introductory training course on Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci System. The Honoring Our Mentors Fellowship program, initially honoring F. Griffith Pearson, enables North American surgeons who have recently completed their residency in general thoracic surgery to spend a focused period of four (4) to six (6) weeks’ time studying clinical techniques at a host institution in North America. Since our parent Association, the AATS, underwrites all operational costs of the Foundation, 100% of all individuals’ contributions to go directly to Foundation programming. The AATS Graham Research Foundation is driving leadership, learning, and innovation in the pursuit of excellence! For more information on the AATS Graham Foundation, please visit http://aatsgrahamfoundation.org.
Friday, June 25, 2015 Simultaneous Breakfast Sessions Lung Cancer Screening in the Post-Approval Era Richard I. Whyte, Boston, MA Douglas E. Wood, Seattle, WA Prosthetic Valve Selection in the Era of Transcatheter Valves Anson Cheung, Vancouver, BC Thomas K. Jones, Seattle, WA Postgraduate Course Innovations in the Access to New Medical Devices Michael J. Mack, Plano, TX Saturday, June 26, 2015 C. Walton Lillehei Point/Counterpoint Session Is the Proliferation of Portable ECMO Devices Beneficial to Society? Pro: Craig H. Selzman, Salt Lake City, UT Con: D. Michael McMullan, Seattle, WA
Thursday, June 24, 2015
SOCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Presidential Address Achieving ‘‘Flow’’ in Surgery Michael S. Mulligan, Seattle, WA
Each registration includes access to Wednesday’s New Members/Welcome Reception, Thursday’s Samson Fun Run and Mountain Sports Street Party Theme Dinner, and Saturday’s Family Luncheon and President’s Banquet. (Registered children, ages 4-18, have access to supervised Children’s Receptions during the New Members/Welcome Reception and President’s Banquet.)
Controversies Debate Should Patient and Physician Values/Expectations Be Consonant? Suzanne Arnold, Kansas City, MO James Matthew Brennan, Durham, NC
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery c Volume 149, Number 6
1689
Announcements
You may also supplement your Annual Meeting experience with these events: Thursday’s Optional Tours* Friday’s Golf Tournament* Friday’s Tennis Tournament* *Separate Registration Required ACCREDITATION This activity is being planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accredi-
The American Board of Thoracic Surgery ABTS Announcement The American Board of Thoracic Surgery’s Maintenance of Certification program was adopted 7 years ago. Since that time, there has been a continuous evaluation in the Board’s thinking about the overall process, based upon internal discussions and input from our diplomates. These inputs resulted in our decision to migrate from a purely knowledge-based multiple-choice exam, using a Pearson Testing Center, to a Mastery Learning Process, using a SESATS format. Diplomates, enrolled in this year’s (2015) 10-year MOC process, will fulfill their Part III requirement by completion of a home or office-based secure learning exam, following the instructions on the ABTS Web site. In brief, you will be directed to a secure Web site, administered by Software Secure. The only special computer hardware needed will be a camera for your home or office computer (most laptops now come with a built-in camera). Once logged in, you will be asked to verify your identity by holding up your driver’s license with your picture next to your face. You will be visually monitored for the time you are logged onto the Web site. There are 100 SESATS questions (primarily taken from SESATS X), based on your specialty designation (Adult Cardiac, General Thoracic, Cardiothoracic, and Congenital), that you will need to work through as instructed. The exam will now be modular and tailored to your practice—for example, if your practice is 100% adult cardiac, you will only have adult cardiac and critical care questions. You will have 15 hours with as many as 10 logins to complete the 100 questions during the months of September and October 2015. For those diplomates who have used SESATS in the past, the process of working through the questions is the same. For those who aren’t familiar with SESATS, it might be beneficial to purchase and download SESATS X and work through the specialty-specific module. This preparation will give you familiarity with the process. While SESATS X may be helpful preparation, it is not required. 1690
tation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) and the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA). The AATS is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This live activity will be designated for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The goal of this exam is to provide a learning opportunity using judgement and decision making as well as knowledge. There is no grade involved, but you will be given the percentage of questions you answered correctly on the first try. Not passing this exam would result from either not completing the 100 questions in the 15-hour and 10-login limit or by rushing through the questions without reading the critique. The Board and MOC Committee believe that reading the critique is key to the learning process using SESATS. The Software Secure reporting system will allow us to verify the pace of completion and thus limit the passing grades to those who earnestly participate in the process. The Board sincerely hopes that this pilot of life-long learning is viewed favorably by our diplomates. If the diplomates find this form of learning better than the previous approach that used a secured multiple-choice test administered in a remote testing center, the Board will continue with this new strategy and refine SESATS as we go forward to assure that new standards of care are communicated to members of the ABTS community as part of the MOC process. There will be a brief survey following the last SESATS question, which needs to be completed to officially finish the process. Everyone at the ABTS thanks you for embracing the primary principle of MOC—life-long learning, which is consistent with our obligation to the public trust.
ABTS Requirements for the 10-Year Milestone for Maintenance of Certification Diplomates of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) who plan to participate in the 10-Year Milestone for the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process as Certified-Active must hold a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine. Diplomates must provide delineation of privileges at a hospital(s) accredited by the JCAHO or other institutions judged acceptable by the Board. Diplomates must also submit letter(s) of reference documenting their level of clinical activity and stature within
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery c June 2015