Jacksonville, Fla. – Fred H. Edwards, M.D., a University of Florida professor of surgery and chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Shands Jacksonville, has been appointed the National Chairman of the Evidence-Based Surgery Committee for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). As chair of this committee, Edwards has spent two years developing new evidence-based practice guidelines to be used by cardiothoracic surgeons in this country. These guidelines will cover several topics of practical interest in cardiovascular medicine. Once the guidelines have been approved by the STS leadership, they will be published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The first guideline, which focuses on transmyocardial laser revascularization, will appear in the April issue of Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
“The purpose of these guidelines is to take away subjective bias among fellow cardiothoracic surgeons,” said Edwards. “If the guidelines are there in black and white, surgeons across the country will be more consistent in their medical practice.”
Edwards began working at Shands Jacksonville in 1993. He attended medical school at the University of Kentucky and served his residency at Walter Reed, Washington, D.C. Edwards has been a member of STS since 1987. He’s been active in many STS committees, including the chairmanship of several subcommittees.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, is the largest membership society for thoracic surgeons in the United States. With over 4,100 members, the society represents the surgical practice areas of cardiac surgery, general thoracic surgery, pediatric thoracic surgery, and transplant surgery. The society, established in 1964, continues its commitment of saving, extending, and improving the quality of life for all Americans.