Advancing Surgical Excellence in 2026

World-Class Surgery, Close to Home

May 09, 2026 · Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Program Overview

Advancing Surgical Excellence in 2026: World-Class Surgery Close to Home will bring together cardiologists and other specialists to explore the latest advances in complex, minimally invasive and multidisciplinary care across several high-impact fields. The Symposium will highlight innovations in cardiac and thoracic surgery, interventional cardiology, and vascular surgery, alongside developments in neurosurgery, surgical oncology, plastics, and liver and endocrine surgery, as well as advanced interventional pulmonology and endoscopy. Through expert presentations and case-based discussions, participants will examine how collaborative specialty care can deliver world-class outcomes while expanding access to advanced procedures within regional and community setting.

Target Audience

The target audience includes community-based cardiologists and pulmonologists, primary care physicians, oncologists, and other clinicians across the range of medical specialties who manage patients with complex cardiovascular, neurologic, oncologic, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal conditions. The planning committee includes specialists and physician leaders across these fields, ensuring the program reflects the clinical perspectives and needs of referring providers.

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Amedco LLC and Columbia University Surgery. Amedco LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for
the healthcare team.

Physicians
Amedco LLC designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.50 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM for physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Registration

Registration Options

FREE - All Registrants

Agenda

Saturday, May 9

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Registration & Vendor Exhibits

9:00 AM - 9:05 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Program Directors: Dr. Michael Argenziano & Dr. Inderpal Singh Colleen Koch, MD, MS, MBA Group Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Columbia Sphere and West Market

9:05 AM

A. SESSION 1:

Session Chairs: Craig Smith, MD, and Luigi Pirelli, MD

Innovations in Cardiovascular Medicine & Structural Heart Intervention

9:05 AM - 9:20 AM

Redefining Prevention: The Next Chapter in Cardiovascular Risk Management

Emerging strategies in lipid therapy, hypertension management, and personalized prevention. Inderpal Singh, MD

9:20 AM - 9:35 AM

Precision in Practice: Evolving Techniques in Structural Heart Intervention

TAVR, MitraClip, TMVR, TTVR, and other advanced device-based therapies Mahesh Madhavan, MD, MS

9:35 AM - 9:50 AM

Modern Approaches to Acute and Chronic Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Evaluation and treatment of pulmonary thromboembolic disease, including acute endovascular intervention and surgical approaches to chronic disease. Sonal Pruthi, MD

9:50 AM - 10:05 AM

Valvular Surgery Today: Advancements in Repair and Replacement

Focus on aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve repair and replacement techniques, including minimally invasive approaches. Michael Argenziano, MD, FACS

10:05 AM - 10:20 AM

Aortic Disease in Focus: Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Treatment Strategies

Update on guidelines and best practices for thoracic aortic disease. Adham Elmously, MD

10:20 AM - 10:25 AM

2006 COLUMBIA DOCTORS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD

10:25 AM - 10:40 AM

Coffee/Refreshment Break, Vendor Exhibits & Resident Poster Sessions

10:40 AM

Advances in Vascular Medicine and Endovascular Therapy

10:40 AM - 10:55 AM

Peripheral Vascular Disease: Management of Limb Ischemia and Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Full range of approaches, from conservative to surgical Nicholas Morrissey, MD

10:55 AM - 11:10 AM

Complex Aortoiliac Disease: Endovascular and Hybrid Solutions

Advanced stenting, hybrid interventions, and long segment revascularization Virendra I. Patel, MD, MPH

11:10 AM

Modern Approaches to Thoracic Surgery & Interventional Pulmonology

11:10 AM - 11:25 AM

Advances in Interventional Pulmonology: More Access with Less Invasion

Robotic bronchoscopy, navigational techniques, and cryobiopsy. Faisal Shaikh, MD

11:25 AM - 11:40 AM

Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery: Robotic and VATS Approaches to Cancer

Techniques for lung and esophageal cancer resection. B. Payne Stanifer, MD, MPH

11:40 AM - 11:55 AM

Morning Panel Discussion/Q&A

11:55 AM - 12:05 PM

Columbia's Vision for Delivery of Advanced Surgical Care Beyond NYC

Emile Bacha, MD Chair, Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center Surgeon-in-Chief, NYP/Columbia University Irving Medical Center Roth Salzhauer Family Professor of Surgery Pediatric and Congenital Adult Cardiac Surgery

11:55 AM - 12:55 PM

Lunch, Faculty Meet and Greet & Vendor Exhibits

Resident and Student Lunch (Concurrent Session)

12:55 PM

B. SESSION II:

Session Chairs: Sander Connolly, MD, and James Lee, MD

Frontiers in Neurosurgery & Neurovascular Intervention

12:55 PM - 1:10 PM

Stroke and Neurovascular Emergencies: Accelerating Access and Outcomes

New thrombectomy guidelines, imaging protocols, and treatment timing. Sean Lavine. MD

1:10 PM - 1:25 PM

Neurosurgical Oncology: Innovations in Tumor Resection and Management