The Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) supports southern and southern-trained members of the cardiothoracic surgery community and their families in the pursuit of the highest quality patient care, education, scientific achievement, collegiality, and life balance. STSA represents more than 1,100 cardiothoracic surgeons throughout the country. Although the STSA is a regional society by definition, our members are from all over the United States. At the time of application, STSA members must be practicing, or have previously practiced cardiothoracic surgery for at least one consecutive year, or have completed their thoracic residency training in one of the states/regions listed below. STSA was founded in 1954 with the purpose of disseminating knowledge and information and to encourage and stimulate progress in the fields of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Today, each of our members devotes at least 75 percent of their practice to these fields. A secondary objective of the STSA is to promote fellowship among the thoracic surgeons represented in the southern United States. This objective is accomplished each year through our membership mailings and the Annual Meeting. Review STSA's mission, Bylaws, and leadership roster at www.stsa.org/about.