Call for Achievement Award Nominations

NEW THIS YEAR: The CSCS is very pleased to announce the inaugural CSCS Achievement Award!

The Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons (CSCS) Achievement Award was created in 2023 to recognize a member who has made significant contributions to the academic, research, or clinical scopes of cardiac surgery.

CSCS members are asked to nominate an individual whose/who:

1. career has significantly aided the advancement of and support to the cardiac surgery field in Canada;
2. is a member of the CSCS; and
3. contains highly respected attributes relative to this award.

Nominations must include the following documents:

1. a letter of recommendation summarizing the candidate’s highly respected attributes relative to this award; and
2. a brief 1–2-page biography of the nominee.

The Achievement Award recipient will receive an honorary crystal award. The award will be presented at the CSCS Annual General Meeting.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Monday, May 1, 2023 (Noon EDT). Submit to the CSCS Review Committee at [email protected]. 

Call for Committee Members

The CSCS is calling for volunteers for open positions on the EDI Taskforce Committee and our newly formed Wellness Committee. Our members play an integral role in the growth and success of CSCS initiatives.

Committee members are expected to conduct meetings as often as necessary to accomplish its objectives.

CSCS EDI Taskforce Committee - 2 year term

The CSCS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Taskforce Committee has been empowered to examine the extent of disparity associated with race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation in our community, and to establish concrete policies and measurable deliverables to evaluate their impact. 

CSCS Wellness Committee - 2 year term

The CSCS Wellness committee has been assigned the task of facilitating and improving the health and well-being of cardiac surgeons and trainees across Canada.

Now is your chance to get involved and join one of our Committees! Please contact us at [email protected] to express your interest in serving as a CSCS Committee member. Please indicate which Committee(s) you are interested in volunteering for. 

Submission deadline is Monday May 1, 2023.  

Bigelow Cardiac Surgery Resident Research Competition

The 3rd Bigelow Canadian Cardiac Surgical Resident Research Competition was held on March 4, 2023 (in person for the first time), at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Toronto. The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, and the discussions were thought-provoking. We had great attendance, with residents from across Canada, faculty surgeons and judges from Canada, the US and Europe, medical students and sponsors in attendance. Michael Borger, University Professor and Director of the University Clinic of Cardiac Surgery at the Leipzig Heart Centre and the University of Leipzig, gave an inspiring distinguished guest lecture entitled, "How to build an international career as an academic cardiac surgeon: Lessons learned from Canada, the US and Germany". Attendees networked at group dinners preceding and following the day of competition.

The quality of the science and presentations was uniformly outstanding, as the judges noted in their comments and deliberations. The winners of the prizes were:

• CSCS Fan Favourite Award - Dr. Amine Mazine, University of Toronto
• First Place Basic/Translational Abstract Award - Dr. Keir Forgie, University of Alberta
• Second Place Basic/Translational Abstract Award - Dr. Khalil Khalil, Université de Montréal
• First Place Clinical Abstract Award - Dr. Mohamad Rabbani, McGill University
• Second Place Clinical Abstract Award - Dr. Vincent Chauvette, Université de Montréal
• Best Graphics & Multimedia Award - Dr. Mohamad Rabbani, McGill University
• Best Dressed Award - Dr. Khalil Khalil, Université de Montréal
• Most Spirited Defense Award - Dr. Abigail White, University of Alberta

Congratulations to all the presenters and to the award winners, and thanks to all the attendees! We will look forward to another similarly excellent competition and event in 2024.

Stay Informed

The new and improved, user-friendly CSCS website provides a vast array of exciting content including access to the latest in news from the world of Canadian cardiac surgery as well as links to the highly popular CSCS-sponsored virtual lecture series and podcast series. The CSCS is intent on making this your page. Be sure to visit our website regularly to stay informed. 

Did you know that CSCS is on Twitter? Follow us @cscs_sccc to stay in the loop!

The 2023 STS Coronary Conference returns for the second year of innovative, international, and groundbreaking science taking place June 3-4, 2023, in Miami Beach, Florida. Conference attendees will learn how to take their coronary surgery programs to the next level from a basic to an advanced program. Experts from around the world will share the latest techniques and outcomes. 

The 2-day program will include interactive presentations, “How I Do It” video sessions on surgical techniques, practical tips and tricks, abstract sessions, and case-based panel discussions. Sessions include new updates and outcomes on topics like the radial artery, right internal thoracic artery, multiple arterial grafting, minimally invasive CABG, and hybrid coronary revascularization. 

Visit the STS website for more information. 

Vascular 2023 will take place from October 25 to 29 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal with host organizations the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Canadian Venous Thromboembolism Research Network, Diabète Quebec, Diabetes Canada and Thrombosis Canada.

The Vascular 2023 Call for Science is now open! Consider submitting your abstract for the CSCS Paul Cartier Cardiac Surgery Resident Award and the CSCS Video Abstract Session! 

CSCS Paul Cartier Cardiac Surgery Resident Award 

All residents enrolled in an accredited Canadian Cardiac Surgery Training Program at the PGY1 to PGY6 level at the time of the application deadline are eligible to apply.

Residents applying for the award must submit an abstract via the Vascular 2023 submission tool. When submitting your abstract you must indicate that you would like to be considered for the Paul Cartier Cardiac Surgery Resident Award under the 'Recognition, Awards, & Bursaries' task.

The winner will receive a $2,500 cash award, as well as an honorary plaque.

CSCS Video Abstract Session

This session showcases excellence in cardiovascular surgery research. The top abstract submissions within the SURGERY Learning Track will be selected to present their research findings via video presentation and participate in panel discussion.

To apply, submit your abstract via the Vascular 2023 submission tool. When submitting your abstract you must select CSCS Video Abstract among the Submission Category.

Abstract submission deadline is May 2, 2023 (Noon EDT).