Society Information
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery
http://www.aats.org/
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery
900 Cummings Center, Suite 221U
Beverly, MA 01915
USA
Tel.: +1 978-927-8330 Fax: +1 978-524-8890 E-mail: [email protected]
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) was founded in 1917 by representatives from the specialties of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Roentgenology, Broncho and Esophagoscopy and Anesthesia, to foster the evolution of an interest in surgery of the Thorax. Since that date, the AATS has continually encouraged and stimulated education and investigation into the areas of intrathoracic physiology, pathology and therapy. Originally created by an august group of twenty of the last centurys earliest pioneers in the field of thoracic surgery, the AATS has now grown to an international organization of 1143 whose members consist of the world's foremost cardiothoracic surgeons representing 34 countries throughout the world.
Beginning in 1951, the AATS strengthened its commitment to education with the establishment of the Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship, a fellowship administered by the Graham Education and Research Foundation. Each year, one surgeon who is not a resident of North America has the opportunity to travel to the United States and Canada and seek specialized training in cardiothoracic surgery. The award is granted to surgeons of unique promise who are regarded by the selection panel as those who have potential to become leaders in the field of international thoracic surgery. Since 1951, 48 Graham Memorial Fellows representing 24 different countries have been named, and a significant number have gone on not only to become renowned cardiothoracic surgeons, but also to become active members of the AATS.
In 1985, The Graham Research and Education Foundation established a two-year research scholarship to be awarded annually to a North American surgeon committed to pursuing an academic career in cardiothoracic surgery. Twelve research scholarships have been awarded since the inception of this award.
In addition to fostering the education of young cardiothoracic surgeons, the AATS also supports the scientific achievements of its longtime members by recognizing them with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery's Scientific Achievement Award. Since 1994, four AATS members have been awarded this singular honor.
The AATS also is a financial supporter of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education, which offers a number of research and education awards to cardiothoracic surgeons.
Candidates seeking membership in the AATS must demonstrate a proven track record of distinction in the cardiothoracic field or have made a meritorious contribution to knowledge pertaining to cardiothoracic disease or its surgical treatment.
In the year 2000, the AATS held its 80th Annual Meeting, with an international attendance of over 2500, and its first-ever webcast, which made the scientific sessions offered at the annual meeting available to cardiothoracic surgeons around the world. This was a far cry from the society's first annual meeting, which was held on June 10, 1918, in Chicago, at which time the society boasted a total of 65 members. Nevertheless, over the past 85 years, the mission of the AATS has remained the same, to promote and foster education and research in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.
