On June 18, 2021, the Division of Cardiothoracic held the Second Annual Rumel Research and Innovation Symposium. Inspired by the work of Dr. William Ray Rumel, the first thoracic surgeon in the state of Utah, this symposium highlights and celebrates the research accomplishments of our trainees and faculty, and fosters innovation and collaboration within the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Ten abstracts were presented at this year’s event. The Cardiothoracic Surgery fellows all presented completed or ongoing research projects. Dr. Ashley Morgan discussed her work imaging the remodeling of the right ventricle with tricuspid valve regurgitation. 
Dr. Dimitrios Koudoumas presented his exploration of risk factors for acute mesenteric ischemia after cardiac surgery. Dr. John Vossler presented a case report regarding a pediatric left ventricular aneurysm after traumatic blunt cardiac contusion, while Dr. Ryan Clark discussed a case report about a patient with both Morgagni and Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernias. Presentations from each of the Sections were also presented. From the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery group, Melissa Winder, NP, presented a successful QI project to improve outcomes with aortic arch reconstruction during Norwood procedure. Dr. Joseph Tonna with the Critical Care Section presented his work examining cardiac filling pressures in patients on ECMO for cardiogenic shock. 
From Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Brian Mitzman presented his work looking at the National Cancer Database and how changes in the use of robotics in thoracic surgery have affected surgical interventions for lung cancer.
For the first time, abstracts by students were also presented. Martin Glenn, a perfusion student, presented his ongoing project looking at acute kidney injury following cardiopulmonary bypass in patients undergoing cardiac revascularization. Third year medical student Tyler Wilson presented a comparison of transcatheter aortic valve replacement and traditional surgical aortic valve replacement here at the University of Utah. Fourth year medical student Meganne Ferrell presented on behalf of Adult Cardiac Surgery, discussing her examination of practice patterns of female cardiothoracic surgeons nationally. Her work will be presented at the Western Thoracic Surgical Society later this year.
We are grateful to all of the presenters and attendees for making this such a successful event. The Third Annual Rumel Symposium is scheduled for June 7, 2022.