Douglas J. Mathisen, MD was awarded a Distinguished Service Award by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons on Monday evening at the Society's 50th Annual Meeting.
The Distinguished Service Award, established in 1969, recognizes those who have made significant and far-reaching contributions to the Society and the specialty.
"Dr. Mathisen exemplifies a career dedicated to selfless service and a commitment to leadership in cardiothoracic surgery that has made a positive impact on our specialty for more than three decades," said STS President Douglas E. Wood, MD. "There is perhaps no person who is more respected or admired for his integrity, hard work, and dedication to the improvement of this Society, the specialty of cardiothoracic surgery, and the care of patients with cardiothoracic disease. There is no surgeon, past or present, more deserving of this award."
Dr. Mathisen currently heads the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he is also the Program Director for Cardiothoracic Surgery. In addition, he is the Hermes C. Grillo Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
He has held significant leadership positions with virtually every major organization in cardiothoracic surgery. Dr. Mathisen was the 2010-2011 STS President and continues to serve the Society as a member of the Finance and Nominating Committees. He also is a Deputy Editor for The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the official journal of STS and the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association.
Dr. Mathisen currently chairs the Joint Council on Thoracic Surgery Education. He previously served as a Director for both The American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education, as a Councilor for the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, and as President of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association.
