The specialty of cardiothoracic surgery has always been defined by two inseparable attributes: the capacity to imagine a future that others cannot see; and a determination to discover and implement the knowledge and practical skills necessary to make that new future a commonplace reality. These attributes are pertinent to understanding the work of the TSFRE Education Committee.

The dissemination of new knowledge about cardiothoracic medicine and providing surgeons with the capability to implement this new knowledge and skills is a critical element to the progress of our specialty. TSFRE enables surgeons to constantly refine and improve their skills as physicians, surgeons and leaders in medicine.

The Foundation offers a variety of educational programming; most notably, the Health Policy Leadership Program offered in the past in partnership with Harvard University and more recently with Brandeis University. This initiative provides a comprehensive, weeklong program that focuses on the changing nature of the nation’s health care system, its management and how physicians can impact that system.

2007 was a year of many educational accomplishments for the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education:

• Fifteen Alley-Sheridan Scholars attended the Health Policy and Leadership program offered at Brandeis University. This program has had a profound impact upon the hundreds of surgeons who have attended and gained invaluable insight into the public policy process of the US health care system.
• A Visioning Simulation Conference was held this past April to provide a forum for leaders in thoracic surgery and invited simulation experts to discuss our shared vision for development and use of simulation in education and certification.
• TSFRE supported the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association with a contribution of $50,000 in 2007 and will continue to do so for the next two years. These unrestricted funds were granted in response to the TSDA’s urgent request to financially support its current programs and its continued efforts to develop core curriculums that will emphasize the significant challenges facing today’s residents.

“Realizing my goals would not have been possible without the TSFRE scholarship. I am giving back to the community and furthering the mission statement of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education through advocacy.”

– Dr. Paula Flummerfelt Guinnip