ABTS Accepting Nominations for an Adult Cardiac At-Large Director Position


The American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting nominations for an Adult Cardiac At-Large Director position to be filled through an open nomination process.

The position was initially established in 2016 to identify exceptional individuals who are reflective of the broad thoracic surgical community. The Adult Cardiac At-Large Director will be expected to provide important contributions to the board by offering unique perspective on issues impacting the ABTS and its Diplomates. The recruitment of the Adult Cardiac At-Large Director is intended to give representation to thoracic surgeons who may not have the opportunity for involvement or recognition by other national organizations.

The ABTS seeks a highly qualified, actively practicing thoracic surgeon who is regarded by their colleagues as an exemplary practitioner and role model, who has experience with surgical resident education, and who is an advocate for advancing the quality of thoracic surgical practice and improving thoracic surgical care.

The Adult Cardiac At-Large Director will serve a six-year term starting in the Fall of 2021 and ending in the Fall of 2027. The Adult Cardiac At-Large Director will have the same term and responsibilities as all other Board Directors, including participation in two Board Meetings and one Oral Examination each year (approximately 10 days yearly). Directors on the Board serve without compensation.

Nominations for the position may come from other individuals or by self-nomination. The following requirements apply:

  • Candidates must be currently certified in thoracic surgery and must be in good standing with the Board and specialize in adult cardiac surgery.
  • Candidates must have been certified for ten or more years.
  • Candidates can be from an academic or non-academic practice setting.
  • Candidates who have direct experience or involvement with thoracic surgical resident education (program director, boot camp participant, teaching awards, publications on education topics, advanced degree in education, etc…) will be considered positively.
  • Candidates will be given preferential consideration who exhibit diversity in ethnicity, gender, race, or other qualities which may be underrepresented on the ABTS but are characteristics of practicing thoracic surgeons in the United States.
  • Prior involvement with American Board of Thoracic Surgery activities, such as serving as an Oral Examiner, SESATS Writer, or an Examination Consultant will be considered positively.

Applications for the Adult Cardiac At-Large positions will be accepted from now until September 1, 2021. Applicants or sponsors should send an email to Patricia Watson at [email protected]. In the email, please include a curriculum vitae and letter of intent addressed to David A. Fullerton, MD, ABTS Executive Director. In the letter, the applicant or sponsor should acknowledge the individual’s willingness to meet the time commitment involved in being a Director of the ABTS. Since the Board office is working remotely, please send the letter and CV electronically to ensure that it arrives in time for consideration.

The selection process will be under the direction of the Officers of the ABTS and final selection will be by secret ballot of the full Board at its October 2021 meeting. All submitted information will be held confidential.

Any questions should be directed to Patricia Watson at the ABTS headquarters at [email protected].