50th Anniversary Edition

Founded in 1917 by the earliest pioneers in the field of thoracic surgery, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) is now an international organization of over 1200 members consisting of the world’s foremost cardiothoracic surgeons representing 35 countries. Surgeons must have a proven record of distinction within the cardiothoracic surgical field and have made meritorious contributions to the extant knowledge base about cardiothoracic disease and its surgical treatment to be considered for membership. The Annual Meeting, research grants and awards, educational symposia and courses, and the AATS official journal, the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery all strengthen its commitment to science, education and research.

AATS Background

Beginning in 1951, the AATS strengthened its commitment to education with the establishment of the Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship, a fellowship administered by the Graham Education and Research Foundation. Each year, one surgeon who is not a resident of North America has the opportunity to travel to the United States and Canada and seek specialized training in cardiothoracic surgery. The award is granted to surgeons of unique promise who are regarded by the selection panel as those who have potential to become international leaders in the field of thoracic surgery. Since 1951, 56 Graham Memorial Fellows representing 27 different countries have been named, and a significant number have gone on not only to become renowned cardiothoracic surgeons, but also to become active members of the AATS.

In 1985, the association established a two-year research scholarship to be awarded annually to a North American surgeon committed to pursuing an academic career in cardiothoracic surgery. Twenty four research scholarships have been awarded since the inception of this award.

And in 2007 the Summer Internship program for 1^st and 2^nd year medical students was established to introduce the field of cardiothoracic surgery to students in their formative years by providing an opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer working in a Cardiothoracic Surgery department.

In addition to fostering the education of young cardiothoracic surgeons, the AATS also supports the scientific and lifetime achievements of its longtime members by recognizing them with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery's Scientific Achievement Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. Since 1994, six AATS members have been awarded the Scientific Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2003 and has been given to three recipients.

The AATS also is a financial supporter of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education, which offers a number of research and education awards to cardiothoracic surgeons.

Candidates seeking membership in the AATS must demonstrate a proven track record of distinction in the cardiothoracic field or have made a meritorious contribution to knowledge pertaining to cardiothoracic disease or its surgical treatment.

In May of 2009, the AATS held its 89th Annual Meeting, with over 5,000 registrants from around the world. Over the past 91 years, the mission of the AATS has remained the same, to promote and foster education and research in the field of cardiothoracic surgery and has done this through its annual meetings, its Journals, as well as its SAGR (Scientific Affairs and Government Relations), Education, and Cardiothoracic Residents Committees.