Incremental History of the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society (2014-2018)

Abstract

The history of the first 41 years of the Congenital Heart Surgeons Society (CHSS) was recorded in 2015 which chronicled the metamorphosis of a small informal meeting into a mature organization with bylaws, officers, committees, funded research, the Kirklin-Ashburn Fellowship, and a vision to become the premier organization of congenital heart surgery in North America. Chief among these transformations was the implementation and development of the CHSS Data Center. Member participation, fellowship education, and significant outcomes research have been the hallmark of the CHSS. This incremental historical review highlights continued CHSS sentinel advances. Fifty-three CHSS Data Center manuscripts have been published. Citation scores (number of literature citations that each manuscript has accrued) have been collated and analyzed by cohort study. The average citation score for all manuscripts was 75.4 + 76.3 (range: 1-333). The Kirklin/Ashburn Fellowship continues to thrive with academic achievements and generous contributions to the endowment. The World Journal of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery has been adopted as the official organ of the CHSS. A Past President's Dinner has been inaugurated serving as a senior advisory committee to the Executive Council. Toronto Work Weekends continue. Congenital Heart Surgeons Society growth has accrued to 159 active members and 82 institutional members. Future considerations include the size, content, and duration of the annual meeting; the potential for increased membership; and political penetrance into national cardiothoracic governing organizations regarding committee appointments, executive council representation, and education initiatives. Congenital Heart Surgeons Society has achieved numerous advances during this incremental period.

Research Enterprise of the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society 2018 to 2023: History, Accomplishments, Transformation, and Challenges

“…From casual discussion to research: The development of the CHSS Data Center from its origin through 2017 is chronicled in two prior publications. 1,2 Briefly, the Data Center formed over a decade after a group of 12 surgeons met in 1973 to discuss their complex cases in a collegial setting. In 1984, John W. Kirklin at the University of Alabama (UAB) argued that casual discussion of anecdotal cases alone would not provide sufficient evidence to change and improve clinical practice.…”

The Early History of the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society

“…In 1978, Eoin Aberdeen retired from his practice of congenital heart surgery and ceded his position at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Pacifico then became the informal Secretary of the CHSS and “assumed the responsibilities of organizing the meetings, collecting dues, and carrying on the business of the CHSS.” 1,2 These activities amounted to the duties of a de facto President which was to take form in the years ahead when the CHSS was incorporated in 2002.…”

“…The 50th anniversary of the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society (CHSS) is chronicled and commemorated in this special edition of the World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery . Previous manuscripts 1,2 have recorded some of the important achievements leading up to this celebration. However, this edition highlights the in-depth accomplishments regarding specific advances by numerous CHSS members in individual manuscripts that are steeped in rich prose, interesting vignettes, and accurate historical accounts.…”

Building a Purposeful Legacy: Congenital Heart Surgeons Society 2020 Presidential Address

“…Fortunately, quality assessment/improvement and clinical research in congenital heart surgery have been key areas of emphasis since the earliest era of the CHSS 1,2 when Dr John Kirklin recognized that small anecdotal experiences presented at informal meetings would not satisfy scientific scrutiny, and so began the “CHSS Data Center” in 1984…the home of multi-institutional prospective inception cohort studies using advanced statistical methods. 3…”

“…Consequently, analyses included even those patients who had died without surgery, and lifelong longitudinal follow-up of enrolled patients was the overarching plan. Numerous CHSS patient cohort studies over the last 35 years have resulted in presentations in our most prominent Societal meetings and hundreds of peer-reviewed publications in our most prestigious journals 4 …a research legacy that started decades ago and continues today, now with the esteemed “Kirklin-Ashburn” postgraduate two-year fellowship position. 5…”