title: Thoracic surgery associations, societies, and clubs: which organizations are right for you?
abstract: Determining which organizations to join can be challenging given the wide selection of associations, societies, and clubs available to practicing thoracic surgeons. This article briefly reviews 7 important North American thoracic surgery organizations (the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons, the General Thoracic Surgical Club, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, the Western Thoracic Surgical Association, and Women in Thoracic Surgery). The authors also review the criteria that may assist in deciding which organizations best meet a surgeon's career goals and personal expectations.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW Rochester, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schieman
authors.forename: Sean C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Grondin
authors.forename: Gary A J
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gelfand
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009656:North America; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D013903:Thoracic Surgery