Advancing Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills:
Stanford at the 2025 STS Boot Camp

Faculty and trainees from the Stanford Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery recently attended the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Boot Camp in Chicago, Illinois, from August 21 to 24, 2025. Over four days, 60 junior residents from across the country received intensive, hands-on guidance from leading cardiothoracic surgeons, including several from Stanford. Attendees engaged in high-fidelity simulations of real-world and emergency scenarios, gaining valuable experience in a structured instructional framework.

James Fann, MD, Professor Emeritus of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Yihan Lin, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, were among the Program Directors for the Boot Camp. Natalie Lui, MD, Assistant Professor (Thoracic Surgery), A. Claire Watkins, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor (Adult Cardiac Surgery), and Patpilai Kasinpila, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor (Adult Cardiac Surgery), along with former Stanford fellow Melissa Medina, MD (now faculty at Northwestern), served as the faculty mentors for various training sessions. James Beckett, MD, a fellow in adult cardiac surgery, and Sidra Bonner, MD, a fellow in general thoracic surgery, were among the attendees.

The curriculum included training sessions in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques, vessel anastomosis, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies, open and robotic lobectomy, TAVR/TEVAR, and wire skills. Participants also received instruction on mitral and aortic valve surgery, echocardiography, communication in the operating room, and the role of surgical ablation.

Dr. Fann led the coronary anastomosis session, supported by faculty mentor Dr. Medina. Dr. Lin led the vessel anastomosis session with faculty mentor Dr. Kasinpila, while Dr. Lui served as the faculty for the robot-assisted lobectomy session and Dr. Watkins for the endovascular skills session.

The Boot Camp was founded in 2008 by Dr. Fann, Richard Feins, MD, and George Hicks, MD. Since its inception, hundreds of residents and faculty leaders in cardiothoracic surgery have participated in the training program.