Activity Description

The STS Leadership Institute helps members in their first 15 years of practice to develop the skills necessary to lead teams in and out of the OR, strategize personal and professional goals, negotiate a career path, and influence change in the workplace.  

As healthcare delivery grows more complex and rapidly transforms, physicians need essential leadership skills to adapt and work effectively with their teams in order to provide the best patient care. The STS Leadership Institute helps early career and mid-career surgeons who are STS members to develop and hone these skills (not available to current residents and fellows).

It includes five events: three virtual sessions and two in-person meetings. The capstone event will take place in San Diego, CA, in conjunction with the 2027 STS Annual Meeting.

Selected applicants are required to participate in all five events of the series.  

Session 1: Individual Growth Virtual  
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 7 – 9 p.m. ET

Session 2: Leading Others – Chicago, IL  
Friday, April 24, 2026, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT (Welcome reception evening of April 23)

Session 3: Leading Every Day: Applying Skills and Networking – Virtual  
Thursday, July 9, 2026, 7 – 9 p.m. ET

Session 4: Program Building – Virtual  
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7 – 9 p.m. ET

Capstone Session: STS 2027, San Diego, CA 
Wednesday, January 27, 2027

Course Directors

Mara B. Antonoff, MD 
Anita R. Krueger, MD 
Olugbenga T. Okusanya, MD 
Joseph D. Phillips, MD 
Ram Kumar Subramanyan, MD, PhD 
Panos N. Vardas, MD