Board of Directors Chair Fred A. Crawford, Jr., MD Vice-Chair Thoralf M. Sundt III, MD Secretary – Treasurer Cindy VerColen Director Hartzell V. Schaff, MD Director Craig R. Smith, MD Director David J. Sugarbaker, MD

History

Inaugurated in May of 2009 and conducted annually in conjunction with the AATS Annual Meeting, the AATS Leadership Academy exposes potential future leaders in our specialty to the administrative, interpersonal, and mentoring skills necessary to serve in a leadership position within their institution as well as the surgical community at large. In addition to a didactic and interactive program, participants are provided with focused networking opportunities with the goal of building professional relationships and future mentoring possibilities with faculty members who have been selected based upon their expertise in particular areas.

An important part of the Leadership Academy program includes a 1:1 ratio of attendees to faculty with mandatory attendance of both faculty and attendees and active involvement required. The Council and Leadership Academy Board of Directors believe that the Academy format has created a unique experience for all participants while fulfilling one of the AATS’ major goals of developing future leaders in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.

2013 Leadership Academy Program Information
Friday, May 3, 2013, Minneapolis, MN
(Immediately prior to the AATS Annual Meeting)

The 2013 AATS Leadership Academy is an intensive, didactic, and interactive program for up to 20 surgeons who have demonstrated significant promise as potential future division chiefs or who have recently assumed the role of division chief.

PROGRAM GOALS
To provide participants with the administrative, interpersonal, mentoring and negotiating skills necessary to serve successfully as a division chief. Attendees will also have an opportunity to be introduced to and network with well known thoracic surgical leaders who might subsequently serve as personal mentors after the conclusion of the program.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• Achieved the rank of Associate Professor
• Active/successful North American clinical surgeon
• Evidence of academic productivity including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at regional or national scientific meetings
• Funded research is preferable but not essential
• Evidence of local institutional and/or state/regional/national leadership ability
• Personal statement outlining future career goals
• Supporting letter from division chief or department chair

FACULTY
Academy faculty will consist of well-known leaders in cardiothoracic surgery as well as invited guest speakers.

COST
AATS will provide complimentary Annual Meeting Registration and:

• Two night hotel accommodations (Thursday and Friday)
• All meals on Friday, May 3rd
• Complimentary registration to one Saturday or Sunday Annual Meeting course

APPLICATION AND DEADLINE
Applications for consideration must be submitted electronically at www.aats.org by November 30, 2012. Academy participants will be selected by the AATS Leadership Academy Board of Directors and notified no later than February 5, 2013.

The application deadline has passed.