2025-26 STS Wellness Institute Session 5: Beyond the Breaking Point

Activity Description

In this session, surgeons will learn to recognize early warning signs of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and stress-related vulnerabilities. By understanding how unmanaged stress can lead to negative coping strategies and self-destructive behaviors, participants will explore pro-active strategies for resilience, balance, and protecting mental health. Over time, this will foster psychological safety and a culture of wellness within surgical teams, colleagues, and hospital systems. 

Moderator:  
Boris Sepesi, MD
Swedish Medical Center,
Englewood, CO

Speaker:  
Mike Klaybor, PhD, LPC-S

Schedule of Events


Session 1: Financial Wellness for the Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025
8 – 9 p.m. ET

Session 2: Use of Biometric Feedback to Optimize Personal Performance
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025
8 – 9 p.m. ET

Session 3: The Sport of Cardiothoracic Surgery: Workplace Ergonomic Challenges and Strategies to Mitigate Their Impact
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
8 – 9 p.m. ET

Session 4: Parenting Balance
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
8 – 9 p.m. ET

Session 5: Beyond the Breaking Point: Building Resilience and Protecting Well-Being in Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
8 – 9 p.m. ET

Learning Objectives

After completing the series, learners should be able to:

  1. Identify tools and resources that can be used to foster individual well-being.
  2. Describe the dimensions that comprise overall wellness.
  3. Employ wellness resources towards their own well-being.
  4. Implement wellness activities and programs throughout their team, institution, or community.
Activity summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME
  • 1.00 ABTS Accredited CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Activity opens: 
04/28/2026
Activity expires: 
04/28/2027
Cost:
$0.00

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in each activity.

NOTE: Participants can claim 1 CME credit per LIVE session by completing a separate evaluation in the STS Learning Center, which will be sent to attendees after each session. Continuing education credit is NOT associated with the recordings for the Wellness Institute sessions.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME
  • 1.00 ABTS Accredited CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Upon submitting the Overall Evaluation, you will be directed to claim credit and download your certificate. 

Prerequisites

Required courses: 
2025-2026 STS Wellness Institute