United for Recovery: The Impact of the STS Los Angeles Wildfire Fund

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Established in response to the devastating wildfires that occurred in the weeks preceding the 2025 STS Annual Meeting, the STS Los Angeles Wildfire Response Fund raised $175,028. The fund beneficiaries—Direct Relief and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles—each received $87,514 and are already putting these funds toward immediate emergency assistance and longer-term recovery efforts in the area.

This fundraising achievement was built upon a combined lead donation of $100,000 from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), along with generous gifts from surgeons, industry partners, meeting suppliers, and STS staff.

Supporting Our Host City

STS and TSF set up the fund to help the LA community impacted by the fires while proceeding with the Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. The decision to hold the meeting was made after careful consideration, recognizing that it could serve a dual purpose: advancing professional education and supporting the local community during a time of significant need.

In a message to the STS members, 2024 STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, said, “I am pleased to confirm that STS 2025 is still on, and Los Angeles is excited to host us!”

Personal testimonies from members of the cardiothoracic surgery community aided the STS Board in their decision to move forward. Fernando Fleischman, MD, of the Keck School of Medicine of USC described the meeting as “an emotional, physical, and economic hug to a city that needs it.”  Joanna Chikwe, MD, of the Smidt Heart Institute—Cedars-Sinai remarked, “Many of us were evacuated; several of our team members lost homes. But my team is unanimous, and so is the city—if you want to support LA, come visit.”

Creating the STS Los Angeles Wildfire Response Fund was an important step in the decision to continue the meeting — one that attracted national media attention. On January 20, the Los Angeles Times reported: “… no L.A. County hotels or major tourist draws have been damaged in the fires, and major conferences and conventions – a crucial component of the tourism industry – are scheduled to go on as planned. The lineup includes the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, whose leadership voted Wednesday night to go ahead with their annual meeting later this month in downtown L.A. and to donate $100,000 to relief efforts.” Additionally, Medscape ran a story titled “Surgeons Headed to LA Amid Fire Threat,” further underscoring the importance of the meeting and announcing the fund.

Community and Media Response

Community leaders in Los Angeles also supported the decision to proceed with the meeting. Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, noted in the days before the meeting, “Your commitment and generosity to our City of Angels has lifted our spirits. STS is helping to keep Angelenos employed and support the small businesses who rely on these events for their livelihoods.”

Delivering Resources to Those in Need

In partnership with Direct Relief, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit offering medical assistance during disasters, and the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, which mobilizes local organizations and volunteers for housing, education, and financial support, the STS Los Angeles Wildfire Response Fund ensured resources were allocated to medical aid, disaster relief, and community rebuilding.

“As a result of the support from the STS Los Angeles Wildfire Response Fund, we have been able to assist low-income individuals, people experiencing homelessness, service providers, and disrupted community organizations and small businesses," said Esmerelda Fabian Romero of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. "A significant portion of this aid has been directed toward workers, providing food distribution and compensation for lost wages due to the impact on laborers who depend on income from homeowners who lost their homes.”

"Thanks to the STS Los Angeles Wildfire Response Fund, Direct Relief continues to deliver life-saving medical aid to affected communities while supporting long-term recovery," said Ian Meyer of Direct Relief. "We remain committed to helping Los Angeles communities impacted by both wildfires and subsequent mudslides, ensuring ongoing access to healthcare, essential supplies, and public health initiatives throughout every phase of recovery."

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Generous Donors

STS would like to express its deepest gratitude to all the donors whose contributions have made the STS Los Angeles Wildfire Response Fund a success. Your generosity has been essential in providing life-saving support to individuals and communities in need. Thank you for standing alongside those in need during this critical time.