About TSDA

The Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA) was established in 1978 as a membership organization for cardiothoracic surgery residency program directors. TSDA provides resources and networking opportunities for program directors and program coordinators, and supplemental curriculum materials and resources for general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery residents.

Mission Statement

TSDA’s mission is to provide its members and their associates with the tools to meet the educational needs of the modern thoracic surgery resident and fellow, to successfully navigate the regulatory environment, and to cultivate healthy, diverse, equitable and inclusive thoracic surgery training programs.

TSDA Objectives

TSDA’s objectives are designed to support TSDA’s Mission Statement.

  1. Provide a forum for the interchange of ideas and information relating to the education and training of thoracic surgery residents and fellows.
  2. Assist in the identification and solution of educational and administrative problems that may arise in the conduct of thoracic surgery residencies, subspecialty tracks and formal post residency and fellowship programs.
  3. Serve as the advocate of resident education in the various professional agencies, boards, councils and committees that influence the specialty of thoracic surgery.
  4. Represent the directors of residencies in thoracic surgery that have been approved by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). These individuals shall hereinafter be referred to as the Directors.
  5. Administrative Sponsorship:
  • serve as the administrative sponsor of the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) and ensure resident representation in TSDA activities;
  • serve as administrative sponsor to the Thoracic Surgery Residency Coordinators Association (TS-RACS) and assure coordinator representation; and
  • serve as the administrative sponsor of the Thoracic Education Cooperative Group (TECoG) and ensure TECoG leadership representation in TSDA activities.
  1. The TSDA will actively liaison with organizations that are aligned with its mission, to disseminate information to and support its members.
  2. The TSDA will develop and implement the annual In-Training Exam (ITE). The ITE is an exam designed to measure the progress attained by residents and fellows in their knowledge of the pathophysiology and evidenced-based management of clinical problems related to thoracic surgery. The ITE is not a high-stakes exam, nor should it be used as such, and is a trainee needs assessment tool.
  3. The TSDA will foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive working and learning environment where people from all backgrounds are accepted, celebrated, and respected.