Hello Members and Thoracic Residents:           

Well another year has passed and we have completed our last conference call organizing the annual CATS meeting for September 13^th - 15^th in Calgary, Alberta.  The Calgary group, led by Dr. Sean Grondin, have put together an exciting Post-Graduate Course on practical topics related to education and how to be a better teacher.  Don’t forget to sign up when you register for the meeting!  This will be followed by the CATS Research meeting, organized by Dr. Andrew Seely and his team.

The following 2 days will see presentations from the residents, all vying for the coveted Robert J. Ginsberg Resident Research Award.  This year’s FG Pearson Lecture will be given by Dr. James Luketich from Pittsburgh.  As well, we will have the highly popular debates on controversies of thoracic surgery and a symposium on Esophageal Cancer that promises to address “cutting edge” issues. 

That’s not to say all work and no play! The following social events are also planned:

• The Calgary group will be organizing a fishing trip to the world famous Bow river for brown trout fishing on Wednesday September 12. The river is approx. 1 hour from Calgary and typically fished by floating and casting from boats (2 people per boat with a guide). All CATS members are welcome to participate. The cost for the day of fishing is $ 350 and includes your transportation, fishing, lunch and license. If you are interested in coming fishing or have any questions, please contact Sean McFadden at sean.mcfadden@albertahealthservices.ca. The deadline for registering for fishing is June 30.

• Dr. Gary Gelfand (past President) and his wife have kindly opened their home for a cocktail party and hor d’oeuvres following the CATS Research meeting on Thursday September 13.  A shuttle bus will be leaving the front entrance of the Hyatt at 7:15 pm and returning at 10 pm. Please let Joanne know if you plant to attend (joanne.clifton@vch.ca).

• The annual CATS dinner will be hosted this year at Brava Bistro Restaurant on Friday evening September 14th.  Please don’t forget to sign up when you register on-line.

I wish to extend a big thank-you to the Executive and local organizing committees for all their hard work in the planning of this years annual CATS meeting.

As your President, this will be my last blog.  I appreciate the opportunity over the last 2 years in serving CATS and its members and to help move CATS into the forefront of the National Societies in Canada.  It is with great pride that I pass the baton onto Dr. Richard Inculet, your next President.

Signing off,

Donna E. Maziak MD

President