The Thoracic Surgery program was originally established in 1969 by Dr. W. Sterling Edwards who was the first Chief of the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (1969 to 1975) and subsequently became Chairman of the Department of Surgery (1974 to 1987). Dr. Bechara Akl was the next Chief of the Division and Director of the Thoracic Surgery Training Program (1975-88). Dr. Donald Fry followed Dr. Edwards as Chairman of the Department of Surgery (1987-04) and now Dr. Jorge Wernly is Chair of Surgery (2004-current). Dr. Edwards remained in the faculty of the Division until his retirement in 1987. Until his death Dr. Edwards held an Emeritus status and participated periodically in the academic activities of the Division. In June of 1988, Dr. Akl left UNM at which time Dr. Jorge Wernly was appointed as Chief of the Division and Director of the Training Program (1988-2004). In October, 2004, Dr. Stuart Pett was appointed Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery; however, Dr. Wernly continues as the Director of the Training Program.
The cardiothoracic surgical program at the VA Medical Center was initiated in 1969 by Dr. Sterling Edwards, who directed the clinical activities of both hospitals. In 1986, due to the significant increase in the clinical volume at the VA hospital, Dr. Akl appointed Dr. Stuart Pett as Cardiothoracic Surgeon-in-Chief of the Albuquerque VA Medical Center. In 1989, the VAMC Cardiothoracic Surgery Service was reorganized as a Section within the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The Division Chief appointed Dr. Stuart Pett as Head of the Section.
A new Section of General Thoracic Surgery was created within the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery in July of 1992. The major reason was to increase emphasis on general thoracic surgery activities, clinical and otherwise. The organization of this section has provided a new clinical unit with a progressively larger clinical volume and produced a better learning experience for the residents.
