Who We Are & What We Do

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation is the premier philanthropic organization in cardiothoracic surgery, with nearly four decades of dedicated investment in the work of cardiothoracic surgeons and professionals. TSF is committed to improving patient care through support for research, education, innovation, and humanitarian outreach, aiming to advance heart and lung health for all.

As the charitable heart of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, TSF collaborates globally to drive progress in cardiothoracic surgery. Through the efforts of TSF and its worldwide partners, patients with heart and lung disease experience improved longevity and a high quality of life.

The Foundation's History and Milestones

TSF is a pivotal force for growth in cardiothoracic surgery with nearly four decades of impact in the specialty.

1988

The organization is first established as the STS Education and Research Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization, and later becomes The Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education (TSFRE) in 1989.

1992

TSFRE is led by a Board of Directors representing the four leading thoracic surgery societies: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA), and Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA).

1993-2012

Just five years after launch, TSFRE issues its first awards in 1993 including the inaugural Nina Starr Braunwald Research Award and the Alley-Sheridan Scholarships for leadership development. Between 1993-2012, TSFRE has awarded nearly $12 million in research, education, and leadership award funding.

2014

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons assumes sole sponsorship of TSFRE, supporting administrative expenses so that every dollar donated goes to support awards that strengthen the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. By 2014, TSFRE is granting $400,000 annually in support of eight research, education, and leadership awards.

2016-2023

TSFRE re-incorporates as The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) in 2016 and launches a period of remarkable growth, including the advent of humanitarian outreach awards. By 2023, TSF is awarding more than $1.5 million in grants annually with a portfolio of 25 awards in research, education, leadership, and humanitarian outreach.

2024

After 10 years as the charitable heart of STS, annual granting grows to more than $1.7 million. In 2024, TSF launches new branding and a new website to reflect the vibrancy of the organization and develops a strategic plan focused on innovation in the specialty that advances heart and lung health for all.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons & The Thoracic Surgery Foundation  

The Charitable Heart of STS

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable heart of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The two organizations are formally linked as IRS-related organizations, and work together daily to advance the field of cardiothoracic surgery. STS funds most administrative costs of the foundation, along with providing award support and generous matching gifts each year through the Surgeon Match Challenge.

Through collaboration and shared resources, TSF and STS strive to drive progress in the field of cardiothoracic surgery for the benefit of patients.

Making a Difference for Surgeons and Patients Since 1988

Since its founding, The Thoracic Surgery Foundation has led the charge in advancing patient care and surgical innovation. Through dedicated support for research work, educational fellowships, and global humanitarian outreach, TSF is at the forefront of progress in the cardiothoracic surgery specialty.

$35M

More than $35 Million Raised and Granted


... toward efforts that directly support the specialty and improve patient care.

1,100

More than 1,100 Awards Granted

... impacting the careers and training of surgeons worldwide.

84

84 Humanitarian Trips to 19 Countries in 10 Years

... with nearly 2,000 underserved patients treated and more than 4,000 healthcare personnel trained.

Leadership

Board of Directors

Meet the people guiding our vision and strategic direction.

Joseph A. Dearani, MD
Joseph A. Dearani, MD
TSF President
Mayo Clinic
Virginia R. Litle, MD
Virginia R. Litle, MD
Vice President
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
Juan A. Crestanello, MD
Juan A. Crestanello, MD
Secretary
Mayo Clinic
Anthony L. Estrera, MD
Anthony L. Estrera, MD
Treasurer
University of Texas Health Houston
Gorav Ailawadi, MD
Gorav Ailawadi, MD
University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center
Joseph E. Bavaria, MD
Joseph E. Bavaria, MD
Historian
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Edward P. Chen, MD
Edward P. Chen, MD
Duke University Medical Center
Carolyn A. Dubeau, MD
Carolyn A. Dubeau, MD
Resident Director
University of Texas Health San Antonio
Melanie A. Edwards, MD
Melanie A. Edwards, MD
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group
Emily A. Farkas, MD
Emily A. Farkas, MD
Indiana University School of Medicine
Karen M. Kim, MD
Karen M. Kim, MD
University of Texas Health Austin
Scott A. LeMaire, MD
Scott A. LeMaire, MD
Geisinger
Meena Nathan, MD, MPH
Meena Nathan, MD, MPH
Boston Children's Hospital
Tom C. Nguyen, MD
Tom C. Nguyen, MD
Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute
Jennifer C. Romano, MD
Jennifer C. Romano, MD
STS President
University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center
Elaine E. Tseng, MD
Elaine E. Tseng, MD
University of California San Francisco

Committee Chairs

Meet the people leading our operations and award review processes.

Anthony Estrera, MD
Anthony Estrera, MD
Finance Committee Chair
University of Texas Health Houston
J. Michael DiMaio, MD
J. Michael DiMaio, MD
Development Committee Chair
Baylor Scott & White Health
Farhood Farjah, MD
Farhood Farjah, MD
Research Committee Chair
University of Washington
Paul Tang, MD, PhD
Paul Tang, MD, PhD
Research Committee Vice Chair
Mayo Clinic
Vinay Badhwar, MD
Vinay Badhwar, MD
STS Database Clinical Research Fellowship Chair
West Virginia University
Joseph E. Bavaria, MD
Joseph E. Bavaria, MD
Humanitarian Outreach Chair & Kouchoukos Award Chair
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
David T. Cooke, MD
David T. Cooke, MD
Robotic Thoracic Surgery Equity & Access Award Co-Chair
University of California Davis Medical Center
Eugene A. Grossi, MD
Eugene A. Grossi, MD
Advanced Robotic Cardiac Surgery Fellowship Chair
New York University Medical Center
Robert S.D. Higgins, MD
Robert S.D. Higgins, MD
Levi Watkins Innovation & Leadership Scholarship Chair
Rush University
Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD
Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD
Davidson Structural Heart Fellowship Chair
Washington University in St. Louis
Karen M. Kim, MD
Karen M. Kim, MD
Sarns Terumo Perfusion Fellowship Chair
University of Texas Health Austin
Virginia R. Litle, MD
Virginia R. Litle, MD
Reed Traveling Fellowship Chair
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD
Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD
Mathisen Traveling Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery Co-Chair
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Meena Nathan, MD, MPH
Meena Nathan, MD, MPH
Saha Scholarship Chair
Boston Children's Hospital
Keith S. Naunheim, MD
Keith S. Naunheim, MD
Replogle Traveling Fellowship Chair
St. Louis University Health Sciences Center
Thomas A. Schwann, MD
Thomas A. Schwann, MD
Catalyst Award for Data Access Chair
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital
Smita Sihag, MD
Smita Sihag, MD
Robotic Thoracic Surgery Equity & Access Award Co-Chair
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Douglas E. Wood, MD
Douglas E. Wood, MD
Mathisen Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery Co-Chair
University of Washington

2024 TSF Research Committee

The Research Committee includes experts from all disciplines within the cardiothoracic surgery specialty, and engages in a multi-step review process to select TSF research awardees.*

Farhood Farjah, MD
Chair
Paul Tang, MD, PhD
Vice Chair
Abby White, DO
Berhane Worku, MD
Bradley Leshnower, MD
Bryan Whitson, MD, PhD
Castigliano Bhamidipati, DO, PhD
Chi-Fu (Jeff) Yang, MD
Christina Greene, MD
Christopher R. Burke, MD
Constantine Mavroudis, Jr., MD
Damien LaPar, MD, MSc
Danielle Gottlieb Sen, MS, MD, MPH
David Odell, MD, MMSc
Dawn Hui, MD
Douglas R. Johnston, MD
Elizabeth Stephens, MD, PhD
Feiran Lou, MD
Frederick Tibayan, MD
Gita N. Mody, MD, MPH
Gorav Ailawadi, MD
Harma Turbendian, MD
Hiroo Takayama, MD, PhD
Ioannis (John) Dimarakis, MD
Jane Yanagawa, MD
Jason Glotzbach, MD
Jay D. Pal, MD, PhD
Jonathan Chen, MD
Jonathan D’Cunha, MD
Joseph Zwischenberger, MD
Karen Kim, MD
Kathryn Engelhardt, MD
Kimberly A. Holst, MD
Leah Backhus, MD, MPH
Luis Tapias Vargas, MD
Mark Ferguson, MD
Matthew Bott, MD
Matthew Stone, MD
Meena Nathan, MD, MPH
Michael Ibrahim, MBBS, PhD
Michael McMullan, MD
Patricia Thistlethwaite, MD, PhD
Prashanth Vallabhajosyula, MD
Ram Kuman Subramanyan, MD, PhD
Robert E. Merritt, MD
Rosemary Kelly, MD
Sai Yendamuri, MD, MBA
Siva Raja, MD, PhD
Tara Karamlou, MD, MSc
Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD
Yvonne Carter, MD
*Grant applicants are prohibited from contacting TSF Research Committee Members. Please see our Award FAQs page or send your questions to tsf@sts.org.
Operations

TSF Staff Team

Meet the people driving our mission forward.

Lee Wiensch, CAE, CFRE
Lee Wiensch, CAE, CFRE
Executive Director
Email
Christina Origel
Christina Origel
Grants & Awards Manager
Email
Nicole Guerrero
Nicole Guerrero
Senior Foundation Coordinator
Email

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