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.

Discover the TSF Story

Watch this brief video to learn about the mission that drives us.

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.

See Research Awards

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.

See Education Awards

Innovation

TSF affirms that embracing innovation in all aspects of the specialty results in breakthroughs that advance heart and lung health for all.

See Innovation Awards

Humanitarian Outreach

We believe that everyone deserves access to cardiothoracic surgical care for disease treatment and improved quality of life.

See Outreach Awards

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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 Society of Thoracic Surgeons & The Thoracic Surgery Foundation

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.

$35M

More than $35 Million Raised and Granted
‍

... toward efforts that directly support the specialty and improve patient care.

1,100

More than 1,100 Awards Granted

... impacting the careers and training of surgeons worldwide.

84 Humanitarian Trips to 19 Countries in 10 Years

... with nearly 2,000 underserved patients treated and more than 4,000 healthcare personnel trained.

Leadership

Board of Directors

Meet the people guiding our vision and strategic direction.

Joseph A. Dearani, MD

TSF President

Mayo Clinic

Virginia R. Litle, MD

Vice President

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Juan A. Crestanello, MD

Secretary

Mayo Clinic

Anthony L. Estrera, MD

Treasurer

University of Texas Health Houston

Gorav Ailawadi, MD

University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center

Joseph E. Bavaria, MD

Historian

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Edward P. Chen, MD

Duke University Medical Center

Carolyn A. Dubeau, MD

Resident Director

University of Texas Health San Antonio

Melanie A. Edwards, MD

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group

Emily A. Farkas, MD

Indiana University School of Medicine

Karen M. Kim, MD

University of Texas Health Austin

Scott A. LeMaire, MD

Geisinger

Meena Nathan, MD, MPH

Boston Children's Hospital

Tom C. Nguyen, MD

Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute

Jennifer C. Romano, MD

STS President

University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center

Elaine E. Tseng, MD

University of California San Francisco

Committee Chairs

Meet the people leading our operations and award review processes.

Anthony Estrera, MD

Finance Committee Chair

University of Texas Health Houston

J. Michael DiMaio, MD

Development Committee Chair

Baylor Scott & White Health

Farhood Farjah, MD

Research Committee Chair

University of Washington

Paul Tang, MD, PhD

Research Committee Vice Chair

Mayo Clinic

Vinay Badhwar, MD

STS Database Clinical Research Fellowship Chair

West Virginia University

Joseph E. Bavaria, MD

Humanitarian Outreach Chair & Kouchoukos Award Chair

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

David T. Cooke, MD

Robotic Thoracic Surgery Equity & Access Award Co-Chair

University of California Davis Medical Center

Eugene A. Grossi, MD

Advanced Robotic Cardiac Surgery Fellowship Chair

New York University Medical Center

Robert S.D. Higgins, MD

Levi Watkins Innovation & Leadership Scholarship Chair

Rush University

Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD

Davidson Structural Heart Fellowship Chair

Washington University in St. Louis

Karen M. Kim, MD

Sarns Terumo Perfusion Fellowship Chair

University of Texas Health Austin

Virginia R. Litle, MD

Reed Traveling Fellowship Chair

St. Elizabeth's Medical Center

Thomas E. MacGillivray, MD

Mathisen Traveling Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery Co-Chair

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

Meena Nathan, MD, MPH

Saha Scholarship Chair

Boston Children's Hospital

Keith S. Naunheim, MD

Replogle Traveling Fellowship Chair

St. Louis University Health Sciences Center

Thomas A. Schwann, MD

Catalyst Award for Data Access Chair

Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital

Smita Sihag, MD

Robotic Thoracic Surgery Equity & Access Award Co-Chair

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Douglas E. Wood, MD

Mathisen Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery Co-Chair

University of Washington

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.*

Farhood Farjah, MD

Chair

Paul Tang, MD, PhD

Vice Chair

Abby White, DO

Berhane Worku, MD

Bradley Leshnower, MD

Bryan Whitson, MD, PhD

Castigliano Bhamidipati, DO, PhD

Chi-Fu (Jeff) Yang, MD

Christina Greene, MD

Christopher R. Burke, MD

Constantine Mavroudis, Jr., MD

Damien LaPar, MD, MSc

Danielle Gottlieb Sen, MS, MD, MPH

David Odell, MD, MMSc

Dawn Hui, MD

Douglas R. Johnston, MD

Elizabeth Stephens, MD, PhD

Feiran Lou, MD

Frederick Tibayan, MD

Gita N. Mody, MD, MPH

Gorav Ailawadi, MD

Harma Turbendian, MD

Hiroo Takayama, MD, PhD

Ioannis (John) Dimarakis, MD

Jane Yanagawa, MD

Jason Glotzbach, MD

Jay D. Pal, MD, PhD

Jonathan Chen, MD

Jonathan D’Cunha, MD

Joseph Zwischenberger, MD

Karen Kim, MD

Kathryn Engelhardt, MD

Kimberly A. Holst, MD

Leah Backhus, MD, MPH

Luis Tapias Vargas, MD

Mark Ferguson, MD

Matthew Bott, MD

Matthew Stone, MD

Meena Nathan, MD, MPH

Michael Ibrahim, MBBS, PhD

Michael McMullan, MD

Patricia Thistlethwaite, MD, PhD

Prashanth Vallabhajosyula, MD

Ram Kuman Subramanyan, MD, PhD

Robert E. Merritt, MD

Rosemary Kelly, MD

Sai Yendamuri, MD, MBA

Siva Raja, MD, PhD

Tara Karamlou, MD, MSc

Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD

Yvonne Carter, MD

*Grant applicants are prohibited from contacting TSF Research Committee Members. Please see our Award FAQs page or send your questions to tsf@sts.org.

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