Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA)

The Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA) was founded in 1974. It was originally named the Samson Thoracic Surgical Association in honor of Paul "Buck" Samson, a Pioneer in Thoracic Surgery on the West coast with his surgical base in Oakland California. Along with his partner, Dave Dugan, they had a tremendous influence in the development of Thoracic Surgery in the Western United States.

The Western Thoracic Surgical Association boundaries include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming along with Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.