Thoracic Disease Domain Update

Richard Milton

Thoracic Disease Domain Chair

It is a huge honour and privilege to be elected as the new Chair of the Thoracic Disease Domain, and not something that I undertake lightly. I am grateful to my predecessor Eric Roessner for all the work he has done whilst leading the Thoracic Domain, and I hope I can be as successful.

I have been a member of EACTS since my early days as a cardiothoracic trainee in Yorkshire in the UK. My chosen career path was in Adult Thoracic surgery, and consequently have gravitated towards this side of the Association. I was fortunate to be a member of the Thoracic Domain when Peter Licht was the chair.

Promoting global links

One of the discussions I’ve had with my domain colleagues centred around how we can promote links with developing parts of the world, both academically and in supporting the adoption of newer technologies.

I would like us to build on the success of last year’s Thoracic educational programme within the Society, and it would be great to have a face-to-face hands-on wet lab later in 2022.

I’ve always been a committed member of EACTS, and although the Thoracic side of the Association is understandably a smaller sibling when compared to the Cardiac side, we’re twinned in the chest and I would love to find some common ground, either as part of the Academy or even in the Annual Meeting, where we can attract surgeons of all subspecialties.

Equally, thoracic surgeons in Europe are fortunate to have access not only to EACTS but also to ESTS. I would like us to build on the work done by my predecessors and have a closer working relationship with ESTS, to the benefit of all.

I look forward to the Annual Meeting in October. We are working towards providing a fantastic educational and social opportunity. We have all had to adapt in many ways over the last two years, and lessons learnt during the Covid pandemic will certainly feature in this year’s programme.