CT Surgery faculty and nursing staff members joined with colleagues from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in Washington DC during October to meet with congressional leaders and advocate for the interests of patients and providers on matters of health policy specifically affecting the Commonwealth.
Tessa London-Bounds, MD, MPH, assistant professor, and Amanda Crabtree, RN, from the division of cardiothoracic surgery were selected to participate in the fall 2023 STS Advocacy Conference. Over two days in October, they were advised about several policy issues affecting the cardiac and thoracic care of patients.
Crabtree and Dr. London-Bounds represented Kentucky as they met with Rep. Andy Barr and staff from the offices of Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. In the case of Rep. Barr, a planned fifteen-minute meeting stretched to nearly an hour with much of the conversation focused on Kentucky’s patient needs.
“It was a unique and interesting experience. It was very rewarding to be able to represent the interests of CT surgery patients and STS, particularly regarding the needs of Kentucky,” Dr. London-Bounds said.