Membership

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP

1. Geography - Membership in the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association shall be limited to thoracic surgeons practicing or having previously practiced in the southern regions of the United States of America or who have completed a thoracic residency training program in the STSA region.
   1. Applicants for active membership must at the time of acceptance reside, or have previously practiced cardiothoracic surgery for at least two consecutive years, or have completed a thoracic residency training program, or have completed a thoracic or cardiovascular research or clinical fellowship for at least twelve consecutive months in one of the following states or regions: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, or the US territories and commonwealths in the Caribbean. Such residence must be current at the time of acceptance during the annual meeting of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association.
   2. Applicants whose training has been in countries other than the United States of America and who are certified as proficient in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery by appropriate authorities in their home country may apply.
2. Certification - Applicants must be certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Equivalent foreign training and certification may be acceptable following review by the Membership Committee and Council.
3. Practice - 75% of the applicant's practice must be devoted to the field of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery which may include research and peripheral vascular surgery. Applicants for whom thoracic and cardiovascular surgery comprises less than 75% of their practice may be required to submit a list of all cases performed for the previous two years.
4. Annual meeting - Active status will not become effective, nor certificate of membership presented, until the applicant attends one of the next three annual meetings following initial election to the membership. Failure to comply with this procedure will require reapplication for membership.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS

1. Review the requirements for membership and complete the application.  
2. Provide a current copy of your Curriculum Vitae and bibliography.
3. Have two members of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (sponsors) read the completed application, review the requirements, and submit a letter of recommendation. Only one sponsor may be a partner or associate of the applicant.
4. Mail or E-mail the completed application (with letters of recommendation if they have been supplied to you) to the address below.
5. The deadline for consideration of any application is September 15. Applications received after September 15 will be deferred to the following year's committee.
6. Sponsors should be familiar with the applicant's current practice.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SPONSORS

1. Review the requirements for membership with the applicant
2. If you believe the applicant fulfills the basic requirements and would be a desirable member, send a letter of recommendation. This letter may be mailed to the address below or accompany the application. Include any reservations that you may have concerning the applicant's fulfillment of the basic requirements. If you have a limited or inadequate knowledge of the applicant's current practice, please also indicate the extent of this knowledge.
   
   Send your sponsor letter to:
   
   Chairman, Membership Committee
   Southern Thoracic Surgical Association
   633 N. Saint Clair St., Suite 2320
   Chicago, IL 60611-3658
   Phone: (800) 685.STSA (7872) Fax: (312) 202-5829
   Email: stsa@stsa.org