Dr. Michael Fischbein to serve as
President of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association

August 1, 2023

The Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA) has selected Michael Fischbein, MD, PhD, to serve as the next President of WTSA. His yearlong tenure, which will include the WTSA’s 50th anniversary celebration, begins July 1, 2023.

Dr. Fischbein is an Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He is the Director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery, the Residency Program Director for the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and the Director of the Stanford Thoracic Aortic Research Laboratory.

The recipient of multiple teaching and research awards, Dr. Fischbein has led clinical and basic research efforts in aortic aneurysms, thoracic aortic surgery (including connective tissue disorders and bicuspid aortic valve disease), and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. He has received grant funding from the American Heart Association (AHA), the National Marfan Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health, including ongoing RO1 grant support (2016-2026) to study the pathophysiology of aneurysm formation in Marfan Syndrome.

Dr. Fischbein has served in multiple leadership roles for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. At the AHA, he was Chair of the Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia Council. At the WTSA, he has served on the Program Committee (2012-2015), Program Chair (2014), Local Arrangements Chair (2017), Secretary (2019-2023), and Vice-President (2023).

Congratulations to Dr. Fischbein on this incredible achievement.