Dear ECTSS Members,

We hope that you are all staying safe and understand that everyone is being stretched to capacity during the COVID-19 crisis.

We are writing to invite you to participate in a unique one-day virtual Leadership Course on Saturday, October 10, 2020 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm EDT. The application for the ECTSS Leadership Academy is open, and the deadline has been extended!

We have a high-yield, interactive, high-impact day including international and nationally-renowned speakers/proctors. The Leadership Academy program is:

• Welcome, Andrea Wolf, MD, Claire Watkins, MD, Sharon Ben-Or, MD
• Introduction to Leadership, Robert Higgins, MD
• Wellness, Melanie Edwards, MD
• Implicit Bias, DuyKhanh Pham Ceppa, MD
• Dealing with Conflict in a Productive Way, Malcom DeCamp, MD
• How to be an Effective Teacher, Ashish S. Shah, MD
• The Business/Budget Behind Medicine, Thomas J. Watson, MD
• Contract Negotiation, Joanne Chikwe, MD
• Enneagram, Sharon Ben-Or, MD

Application Deadline has been extended to: Monday, September 21, 2020.

This course is designed for early-to-mid-career cardiothoracic surgeons looking to acquire skills and network to take their career to the next level as they plan to run programs, divisions, and large-scale projects within their institution and/or the field in general. Both academic and private practice surgeons are encouraged to apply. Please note that applicants are not required to be ECTSS members. Members are encouraged to have their residents and medical students to apply for the virtual Leadership Academy as well. Once the application deadline has passed, ECTSS Leadership Academy Course Organizers will select 20 applicants to participate in the ECTSS Leadership Academy.

Best Regards,

Leadership Academy Course Organizers,

Sharon Ben-Or, MD ECTSS President-Elect

Claire Watkins, MD ECTSS Councilor-at-Large

Andrea Wolf, MD ECTSS Councilor-at-Large

ECTSS STATEMENT

Dear ECTSS Members,

The recent events across the country have magnified long-standing issues that have plagued the black community as well as our cardiothoracic surgeons and patients of color to various degrees.

The Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society (ECTSS) stands in solidarity with the black community against acts of racism and violence.

The ECTSS is intimately aware of the disparities that exist both within education and among patient care. The ECTSS pledges to work diligently to help eliminate these social injustices that have affected our country. The ECTSS also stands with the students, trainees, colleagues, and members of color as we navigate these challenging times.

Sincerely,

The ECTSS Executive Officers: President, Eric J. Lehr, MD, PhD Vice President, Sharon Ben-Or, MD Treasurer, Doraid Jarrar, MD Secretary, Africa F. Wallace, MD Immediate Past President, Faiz Y. Bhora, MD

Standards & Ethics Committee Members: Benjamin Haithcock, MD Scott M. Goldman, MD T. Sloane Guy, MD, MBA John P. Nabagiez, MD Roman V. Petrov, MD Michael C. Sinclair, MD Darryl S. Weiman, MD, JD

COVID-19 Important Payment Information
Although our physical office have reopened in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, as we continue to have most of our staff team work remotely, we ask that if possible, you make your dues payments online. If you or your institution would prefer to send a check, rest assured that our teams are all working full time, and our front office is in full operation and your mail is secure.