From energizing conversations to a new generation of cardiothoracic leaders, our team left Chicago inspired.
The city of Chicago welcomed our team for one of the most memorable AATS Annual Meetings in recent memory. From May 1 through May 5, McCormick Place buzzed with the kind of energy that only the cardiothoracic surgery community can generate, and the Genesee BioMedical, Inc. team was proud to be right in the middle of it.
This year felt different from the moment we arrived. Surgeon engagement at the meeting was noticeably higher across the board, and that enthusiasm was palpable in every interaction we had. Our booth allowed us to showcase the TransForm™ McCarthy Mitral Annuloplasty Ring and our full annuloplasty line, our aortic toolkit, graft markers, retractors that surgeons were eager to get their hands on, and more. Our team had the privilege of connecting with both longtime partners and familiar clinicians, as well as a fresh wave of new faces who sought us out with genuine curiosity and forward-thinking questions.
What stood out most was the quality of dialogue around innovation. The cardiothoracic space is evolving rapidly, and Chicago gave us a front row seat to some of the most exciting ideas we have heard in years. Surgeons and clinicians came ready to think out loud, share challenges, and explore what the next chapter of patient care could look like. Those are exactly the kinds of conversations that fuel the work we do every day.
Perhaps the most energizing part of the entire week was watching the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons, interns, fellows, and early-career physicians who showed up with an incredible level of engagement. Their presence at AATS 2026 was not just notable; it was genuinely exciting. These are the minds that will shape the future of the field, and seeing them so invested in learning, asking sharp questions, and leaning into every session gave our whole team a renewed sense of purpose.
We left Chicago grateful for every conversation, every partnership strengthened, and every new connection made. AATS 2026 reminded us why this community is so special and why the work of advancing cardiothoracic care matters so deeply. We cannot wait to carry the momentum from this week forward and to see what the year ahead brings.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, sat down with us, or simply said hello. Until next year!