ABTS Video Explains Part II (Oral) Exam
The American Board of Thoracic Surgery created a new video that explains the format of the Part II (Oral) Exam. The video describes the Oral Exam process and provides tips to candidates on how to do their best on the exam. The Board encourages all candidates of the Oral Exam to view the video before their exam date. Click here to view this important video.
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TSDA Weekly Curricula E-mail Messages
As a cardiothoracic surgery resident, you should receive TSDA Weekly Curricula e-mail messages each Thursday (for the upcoming week), with the exception of holiday weekends. These weekly assignments are a supplement to your residency curriculum and include pre-requisite basic readings for newly matched residents, as well as core curriculum topics with more extensive and in-depth materials for CT surgery residents. TSDA hopes the Weekly Curricula expands your current knowledge base and enhances your learning experience. If you are NOT receiving the TSDA Weekly Curricula e-mails, please contact Beth Winer at tsda@tsda.org, to be added to the mailing list. Click here to view the TSDA Weekly Curricula section of TSDA.org.
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TSRA Review of Cardiothoracic Surgery
As the field of cardiothoracic surgery continues to evolve, the amount of knowledge that a cardiothoracic surgeon must acquire continues to increase. There are several excellent and established textbooks on the subject of cardiothoracic surgery; however, there is a clear scarcity of review books that can serve as a concise analysis of the field.
The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA), in an attempt to bridge this gap, has created the TSRA Review of Cardiothoracic Surgery. The goal of this book, edited by the TSRA and authored by more than 50 cardiothoracic surgery residents from different programs around the country, is to synthesize the breadth of information that a cardiothoracic surgeon has to be familiar with into a few hundred pages. The material is organized into four different sections: General Thoracic Surgery; Adult Cardiac Surgery; Congenital Cardiac Surgery; and Cardiothoracic Trauma and Critical Care.
The TSRA Review of Cardiothoracic Surgery is available in three different formats:
1. as an interactive PDF (free download),
2. as an e-book (.mobi, .epub) to use in different electronic platforms (Kindle, iPad, iPhone, Nook, Mac/PC, and other e-readers) (free download), and
3. as a regular print book (for a nominal fee).
TSRA hopes this review book expands your current knowledge base and enhances your learning experience.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________STS Candidate Membership Benefits Your Career and the Specialty
Dear Cardiothoracic Resident,
I am writing to encourage you to join The Society of Thoracic Surgeons as a Candidate Member. Click here for a membership application.
STS leadership recognizes that this is a critical time in the history of cardiothoracic surgery. Advances in technology are threatening to redefine the roles of all cardiothoracic caregivers. Those in training are both the most vulnerable and the best positioned to capitalize on this transition. For this reason, now more than ever, it is imperative that residents become more involved in their national professional organization. STS is an excellent interface with the leaders and policy makers in our field.
The Society is also an invaluable resource for clinical education, organizing conferences and courses to share new technology with surgeons so they may participate in the evolution of our specialty. In addition to education, STS focuses a great deal of energy on both quality and quality improvement, as evidenced by growing participation in the STS National Databases. Finally, STS maintains a Washington office that has made a significant impact on the way surgeons are viewed and compensated. Recently, workforce-related issues were brought to the forefront of the congressional agenda by STS representatives.
I strongly urge you to join STS now and incorporate your voice into the discussions that will define the future of cardiothoracic surgery. As an added incentive, Candidate Members will not be charged an initiation fee when transitioning to full membership. Join your colleagues and apply now for STS membership.
Carlos Mery, MD
Immediate Past President
Thoracic Surgery Residents Association
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Podcasts & Streaming Audio
Listen to presentations from the 2008 TSRA Luncheon held during the STS 44th Annual Meeting. You can listen as streaming audio or podcast.
(Streaming audio requires installing RealPlayer on your computer. Click here for the free download. To download as a Podcast, right click on the link, select 'Save Target As', and save the file to your default Podcast software.)
Dr. Robert Guyton - Dealing With Reality: How to Get Hired
Streaming Audio Podcast
Dr. Mark Allen - What General Thoracic Surgeons are Looking for When Hiring
Streaming Audio Podcast
Dr. Michael Mack - Make Yourself Marketable
Streaming Audio Podcast