The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) was founded in 1917 by representatives from the specialties of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Roentgenology, Broncho and Esophagoscopy and Anesthesia, to foster the evolution of an interest in surgery of the Thorax. Since that date, the AATS has continually encouraged and stimulated education and investigation into the areas of intrathoracic physiology, pathology and therapy. Originally created by a group of twenty of the last century's earliest pioneers in the field of thoracic surgery, the AATS has now grown to an international organization of 1188 whose members consist of the world's foremost cardiothoracic surgeons representing 35 countries throughout the world.
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 leaders in the field of international thoracic surgery. Since 1951, 55 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 Graham Research and Education Foundation 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.
In 2006 the association established the Resident Traveling Fellowship program to broaden the educational experience of residents in their final year of training by providing an opportunity to spend up to two weeks at one or more institutions other than their home institution.
And in 2007 the Summer Internship program for medical students was established to introduce the field of cardiothoracic surgery 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 two 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 the year 2007, the AATS held its 87th Annual Meeting, with over 4400 registrants from around the world. Over the past 89 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), and Education Committees.
