University Hospitals Cardiothoracic Surgeon Named President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

CLEVELAND, Ohio – University Hospitals cardiothoracic surgeon Joseph F. Sabik III, MD, is the new President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) after a vote at its most recent meeting. Dr. Sabik, a cardiothoracic surgeon with UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, currently serves as Chair of the Department of Surgery at UH Cleveland Medical Center; Surgeon-in-Chief of University Hospitals Health System; the Sally and Bob Gries Distinguished Chair in Cardiac Surgery at UH; and Oliver H. Payne Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

“Dr. Sabik is an exceptional technical surgeon who attracts patients worldwide, especially those with complex coronary artery disease,” said Daniel Simon, MD, cardiologist, President of Academic & External Affairs, Chief Scientific Officer, and Ernie and Patti Novak Distinguished Chair in Health Care Leadership at UH. “Importantly, he has also advanced the field in seminal clinical trials in heart surgery. His election to the presidency of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is the well-deserved capstone of his impressive career as surgeon, surgeon-investigator and mentor.”

Over three decades, Dr. Sabik's career is marked by significant contributions to cardiac surgery and medical education. He has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing the field of cardiothoracic surgery. His specialty interests include adult cardiac surgery, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, surgery of the thoracic aorta, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.

As a researcher, he served as co-principal investigator for the landmark EXCEL trial, comparing drug-eluting stents in select patients with left main coronary artery disease. The results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Other studies he authored or co-authored have been published in journals including The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and Journal of American Society of Echocardiography.

“STS is the most prestigious surgical society in the world,” said Mehdi H. Shishehbor, DO, MPH, PhD, interventional cardiologist, President of UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, and the Angela and James Hambrick Chair in Innovation. “We couldn’t be prouder of this well-deserved recognition for his exceptional surgical expertise, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. We are deeply honored to have Dr. Sabik as a cornerstone of our team at University Hospitals.”

As STS President, Dr. Sabik aims to further the organization's mission by enhancing the quality and accessibility of data to inform best practices and improve patient outcomes, supporting innovative studies that push the boundaries of cardiothoracic medicine, and providing surgeons with cutting-edge training to refine their skills and adopt new techniques.

"I am deeply honored to serve as the president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and to lead this remarkable organization in 2025,” said Dr. Sabik. “STS has been at the forefront of advancing excellence in cardiothoracic surgery, and I look forward to working alongside our dedicated members to foster innovation, enhance education, and strengthen advocacy efforts that benefit both our profession and the patients we serve."

Dr. Sabik’s efforts will lead STS in enhancing the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy.