In addition to the exceptional educational and professional benefits of the Annual Meeting, STS will host a series of ancillary events. The following are just some of the outstanding programs offered in conjunction with the Annual Meeting:
How to Prepare for Trial is the theme of this important symposium being offered on Monday evening, January 29, 2001. A nominal registration fee of $40 includes the symposium, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m., and dinner. The symposium will take participants through the preparation that is required as the defendant in a malpractice suit. Leading the symposium will be attorney Luke Pittoni. Mr. Pittoni will cross-examine STS member Dr. Delios Cosgrove and will discuss, in detail, what he did or did not do during the cross-examination.
Mr. Pittoni is the senior partner of the law firm Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP, and practices both in New York and Connecticut. He is a 1971 graduate of Fordham Law School and has, for 27 years made the defense of medical malpractice his primary area of practice. He is also the founder and former president of the New York State Medical Defense Bar Association.
When you register for the meeting, look for this symposium.
What health care issues will face the new Administration will be discussed at a breakfast session from 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2001. There is no charge for the symposium, but registration is required. Health care issues were among the major points of debate in the 2000 election. The new Administration faces major decisions on Medicare reform and prescription drugs. What the impact on patients will be and how thoracic surgeons can get involved in the national debate, will be the focus of the symposium.
A panel of health care consultants including Ms. Deborah Steeleman will be leading the symposium with provocative and thought provoking comments and suggestions. There will be an analysis of the new Congress and what the Society members can expect from it.
New this year is a symposium and course on How to Manage a Thoracic Surgery Practice. This course is being offered from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2001, in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. (Please consult the Annual Meeting program book for the exact room location.) This course is being co-sponsored by the STS and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
For the first time in the history of the Society, leaders from MGMA and the STS will work together to bring the latest information on:
| | How to use outcomes data to improve your managed care contracts; |
| | How to hold a large group practice together: herding cats; |
| | How to slow down and what you will face as you prepare to retire; and |
| | How to handle physician reimbursements. |
The American Society of Transplant Surgeons and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons will be co-sponsoring Cardiac Organ TransplantationCurrent Issues on Saturday, January 27, 2001 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This meeting will be held in the convention center. The program book lists the exact room location. Issues to be discussed include:
| | Changes in thoracic organ allocation; |
| | Long-term results and effects of chronic rejection on heart and lung transplantation; |
| | Immunosuppressive strategies on heart and lung transplantation; and |
| | Donor management strategies. |
Speakers will include Drs. Frederick L. Grover, Bruce A. Reitz, Bruce R. Rosengard, G. Alexander Patterson. The moderator will be Dr. David M. Follette.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and
the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion will be jointly
sponsoring a symposium that will review current incidences of
device failure and human errors related to cardiopulmonary bypass.
How to change the culture in the operating room to improve safety
will be presented, along with lessons from the aviation industry.
Aviation Safety Consultant and author John Nance, J.D., will be
speaking. The symposium moderator will be Mark Kurusz, C.C.P.,
along with Mr. Al Stammers, C.C.P.; Mr. Jeffery Riley, C.C. P.;
and Michael Leonard, MD. The symposium will be held on Sunday,
January, 28, 2001, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the convention
center. Look for the exact room number in your program book. 
