Who We Are & What We Do
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation is the premier philanthropic organization in cardiothoracic surgery, with nearly four decades of dedicated investment in the work of cardiothoracic surgeons and professionals. TSF is committed to improving patient care through support for research, education, innovation, and humanitarian outreach, aiming to advance heart and lung health for all.
As the charitable heart of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, TSF collaborates globally to drive progress in cardiothoracic surgery. Through the efforts of TSF and its worldwide partners, patients with heart and lung disease experience improved longevity and a high quality of life.
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Discover the TSF Story
Our Granting Pillars
Our mission is built upon four pillars that form the foundation of our commitment to excellence in cardiothoracic care: research, education, innovation, and humanitarian outreach.
Research
TSF believes that investing in scientific research fuels insights that ensure the highest quality of care and the very best outcomes for our patients.
Education
We hold that a commitment to training and mentoring surgeons at all career stages leads to inspired professionals who provide better care for communities.
Innovation
TSF affirms that embracing innovation in all aspects of the specialty results in breakthroughs that advance heart and lung health for all.
Humanitarian Outreach
We believe that everyone deserves access to cardiothoracic surgical care for disease treatment and improved quality of life.
The Foundation's History and Milestones
TSF is a pivotal force for growth in cardiothoracic surgery with nearly four decades of impact in the specialty.
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1988
The organization is first established as the STS Education and Research Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization, and later becomes The Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education (TSFRE) in 1989.
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1992
TSFRE is led by a Board of Directors representing the four leading thoracic surgery societies: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA), and Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA).
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1993-2012
Just five years after launch, TSFRE issues its first awards in 1993 including the inaugural Nina Starr Braunwald Research Award and the Alley-Sheridan Scholarships for leadership development. Between 1993-2012, TSFRE has awarded nearly $12 million in research, education, and leadership award funding.
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2014
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons assumes sole sponsorship of TSFRE, supporting administrative expenses so that every dollar donated goes to support awards that strengthen the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. By 2014, TSFRE is granting $400,000 annually in support of eight research, education, and leadership awards.
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2016-2023
TSFRE re-incorporates as The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) in 2016 and launches a period of remarkable growth, including the advent of humanitarian outreach awards. By 2023, TSF is awarding more than $1.5 million in grants annually with a portfolio of 25 awards in research, education, leadership, and humanitarian outreach.
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2024
After 10 years as the charitable heart of STS, annual granting grows to more than $1.7 million. In 2024, TSF launches new branding and a new website to reflect the vibrancy of the organization and develops a strategic plan focused on innovation in the specialty that advances heart and lung health for all.
The Charitable Heart of STS
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable heart of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The two organizations are formally linked as IRS-related organizations, and work together daily to advance the field of cardiothoracic surgery. STS funds most administrative costs of the foundation, along with providing award support and generous matching gifts each year through the Surgeon Match Challenge.
Through collaboration and shared resources, TSF and STS strive to drive progress in the field of cardiothoracic surgery for the benefit of patients.
Making a Difference for Surgeons and Patients Since 1988
Since its founding, The Thoracic Surgery Foundation has led the charge in advancing patient care and surgical innovation. Through dedicated support for research work, educational fellowships, and global humanitarian outreach, TSF is at the forefront of progress in the cardiothoracic surgery specialty.
More than $35 Million Raised and Granted
... toward efforts that directly support the specialty and improve patient care.
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More than 1,100 Awards Granted
... impacting the careers and training of surgeons worldwide.
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84 Humanitarian Trips to 19 Countries in 10 Years
... with nearly 2,000 underserved patients treated and more than 4,000 healthcare personnel trained.
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Board of Directors
Meet the people guiding our vision and strategic direction.
![Joseph A. Dearani, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f0227b91737ed16dcee_661eeac032dca687b4446682_Dearani%252C%2520Joseph.jpeg)
![Virginia R. Litle, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/666b53b6acdb9bc6cdbe3d5a_Virginia_Litle3081%201_400x400%20jacket%20(002).jpg)
![Juan A. Crestanello, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/666b149e325cbf3bec2dd6a9_Crestanello%202024.webp)
![Anthony L. Estrera, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f019b762d2c69e95f9e_661fd84229f8ec86bc1838a2_headshot1.jpeg)
![Gorav Ailawadi, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f02bb7330cfd75edacd_661eeeda039b84fd51037e54_2023%2520Gorav%2520Ailawadi.jpeg)
![Joseph E. Bavaria, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66295d5b5e4b5e961a6359b5_Bavaria_Cropped_High%20Res.jpg)
![Edward P. Chen, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f02d9bb57722792e13f_661eee3977f8a4aed0bbd5d9_Chen-Edward%2520DUKE.jpeg)
![Carolyn A. Dubeau, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66689b2f1fd3bb6729c7ce03_Dubeau%20Headshot%20(1).webp)
![Melanie A. Edwards, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f0508d7c329e8405972_661eed4f14cd653efa420c0a_Melanie%2520Edwards_2018_Print.jpeg)
![Emily A. Farkas, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f02639d0da9f26862c0_661eed2f699459ee7aaa4141_Farkas%252C%2520Emily%25202022.jpeg)
![Karen M. Kim, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f0508d7c329e8405982_661eecd3a62a190b819f569b_2023%2520Karen%2520Kim.jpeg)
![Scott A. LeMaire, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/6668c5f87d8ef6e45a5f5ec7_LeMaire%20-%20Geisinger%20A.webp)
![Meena Nathan, MD, MPH](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f03abfb8f3a6ee8b9f2_661eec88d5075dbfd114fb1c_Nathan%252C%2520Meena%25202022.jpeg)
![Tom C. Nguyen, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f030311445d24e86148_661eebacebb394ef08294824_Nguyen%252C%2520Tom%25202020.jpeg)
![Jennifer C. Romano, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f024de1da180885344c_661fd891d001d6b6a1bdb2b2_romanosmall.jpeg)
![Elaine E. Tseng, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66215f02d2ca0c42c1bc6fa6_661eec5c573bb3eb418c497a_2023%2520Elaine%2520Tseng.jpeg)
Committee Chairs
Meet the people leading our operations and award review processes.
![Anthony Estrera, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66392344d1948828f2a2cef3_Estrera%2C%20Anthony%202022%20-%20small%20website.jpg)
![J. Michael DiMaio, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/6639247cd1e23573f35143b7_J.%20Michael%20DiMaio.jpeg)
![Farhood Farjah, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663922ed1d01e728587133a8_Farjah_edited.jpg)
![Paul Tang, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663923b9b243f1b27be1d78a_Paul-Tang-14230267.jpg)
![Vinay Badhwar, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663bf3d61c8b269f18ec3b45_vinay%20badhwar.jpg)
![Joseph E. Bavaria, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66295d5b5e4b5e961a6359b5_Bavaria_Cropped_High%20Res.jpg)
![David T. Cooke, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66c4bd5dd225bb92c73c23a5_Updated%20David%20Tom%20Cooke%20MD%20Head%20Shot%202020.webp)
![Eugene A. Grossi, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663bf70514e85e8e465329de_eugene-a-grossi-thumb.jpg)
![Robert S.D. Higgins, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663bf661c4fa2bfed2034e7e_Higgins.jpg)
![Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66c34f3a8f93ff88c7088363_Kaneko%2C%20Tsuyoshi%202023.webp)
![Karen M. Kim, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663bf39cd799233db7716e2e_2023%20Karen%20Kim.jpg)
![Virginia R. Litle, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/666b53b6acdb9bc6cdbe3d5a_Virginia_Litle3081%201_400x400%20jacket%20(002).jpg)
![Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66637459d2b4dca857eaf6b0_MacGillivray-Jan23.jpg)
![Meena Nathan, MD, MPH](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663bf3930907539635c36695_Nathan%2C%20Meena%202022.jpg)
![Keith S. Naunheim, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663bf48bca8f6aa6764142ff_Naunheim%2C%20Keith.webp)
![Smita Sihag, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/663bf75f700a4d2ac523a798_sihag_1200x800.jpg)
![Douglas E. Wood, MD](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66c34e3543f5c6525505969d_Wood%2C%20Douglas%20full%20size.webp)
2024 TSF Research Committee
The Research Committee includes experts from all disciplines within the cardiothoracic surgery specialty, and engages in a multi-step review process to select TSF research awardees.*
TSF Staff Team
Meet the people driving our mission forward.
![Lee Wiensch, CAE, CFRE](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/661986ff1010b4877cb476b3_661984a5300581eb7e58fc8c_lee_wiensch.jpeg)
![Christina Origel](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66395779e2a17fd78d27b6f6_Christina-Origel-Headshot-4.jpeg)
![Nicole Guerrero](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65fde8f59c92af144f34ef48/66cf58460762b01355733e67_2024%20Headshot.jpeg)
Support the Fight for Heart and Lung Health for All
Your donations improve outcomes for patients by supporting research, education, and innovation in cardiothoracic surgery. Please give today!
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