Cardiothoracic Surgery at a Crossroads: Trust, Stability, and the Future of the Workforce

An STS Member blog by Dr. Jeffrey Shuhaiber, “Cardiothoracic Surgery at a Crossroads: Trust, Stability, and the Future of the Workforce,” explores the significant workforce challenges facing cardiothoracic surgery, from projected shortages and practice consolidation to evolving career pathways. Dr. Schuhaiber examines how systemic factors—not individual resilience alone—shape surgeon success and emphasizes the importance of psychological safety in supporting workforce well-being and patient care. He also considers the role of leadership in creating healthier practice environments and highlights the need to support, retain, and develop surgeons throughout their careers to build a stronger future for the specialty.