In alignment with the WTS operating policies and procedures, the International Affairs Committee is tasked with the coordination and creation of alliances with organizations and facilitate international collaborations. We strive to identify the worldwide census of female cardiothoracic surgeons to extend the mission of WTS to provide networking, mentorship, sponsorship, educational, partnership, and scholarship opportunities, and promote a supportive community to optimize the advancement of women in cardiothoracic surgery on a global scale.
Section 3.2 of WTS bylaws enables international membership of WTS for women who have achieved appropriate certification or recognition of their achievements in thoracic surgery in countries other than the United States or Canada, and whose primary activity and interest are cardiothoracic surgery.
Candidate membership of WTS shall consist of women who are enrolled in a general surgery or a thoracic surgery residency training program in the United States, Canada or their international equivalent, or women who in the course of their medical and college educations have expressed an interest in cardiothoracic surgery per Section 4 of the WTS bylaws.
Become a member today!
Women certified in CT surgery internationally can apply for international membership at a reduced annual fee of $50, compared to $300 for women CT surgeons in USA and Canada.
Click to apply through our Membership Account page.
Candidate Membership
Residents and Trainees can apply for candidate membership (see above) at a discounted annual fee of $40.
Click to apply through our Membership Account page
Click on this link for more detailed information regarding our membership levels.
Mentorship opportunities
Request a mentor from the WTS community worldwide!
In the free text box, please state your specific mentorship needs. Mentorship needs could reflect a mentor in a certain type of surgical practice, or with research in a particular niche. It could also be a mentor with similar background, identity, etc.
Please use the Mentorship Request Form.
Networking
Women in Thoracic Surgery hosts an Annual Conference that provides a unique opportunity to connect with women in your area of surgical interest and opens up many opportunities for collaboration and career support. WTS also hosts receptions at all major cardiothoracic surgical conferences in the US, such as Annual Meetings of American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS), Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) etc. enabling members to network with the broader thoracic surgery community.
Awards and Scholarships: Under review (currently not available)
Member benefits are to all members; resources can be found for both faculty and trainees.
In case of any questions, please reach out to the International Affairs Committee using this form.
Dr. Madhuri Rao, MD
Co-chair, International Affairs Committee
Dr. Rao is an Associate Professor of Thoracic & Foregut Surgery, and the Director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at the University of Minnesota. She also serves as the Vice-Chair for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for the Department of Surgery. Developing a global community of thoracic surgeons is a major focus of Dr. Rao’s career. In addition to her role in the International affairs committee with the WTS, she co-chairs the STS-South Asia Educational Taskforce as part of the STS Workforce for International Education. She is also actively involved with the European and South Asian societies for thoracic surgeons to build and launch collaborative educational programs.
Dr. Ran Zhong, MD
Co-chair, International Affairs Committee
Dr. Zhong is a Research Scholar at the National Center for Respiratory Medicine in China, under the mentorship of Dr. Jianxing He, a pioneer in tubeless thoracic surgery. As a thoracic surgeon in training, she is passionate about advancing minimally invasive techniques and supporting the professional development of early-career surgeons. Through her efforts to build a network of women thoracic surgeons, she hopes to promote cross-border collaboration and inspire more women to pursue careers in this dynamic and evolving field.
Dr. Mara Antonoff, MD
She is the current President of the Women in Thoracic Surgery. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and Associate Program Director for the UT MD Anderson Thoracic Surgery Residency Program in Houston. She also holds leadership roles in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, and the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association. She is recognized as a founding member of both the Thoracic Education Cooperative Group and the Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network. With a strong focus on educational research, Dr. Antonoff is deeply committed to advancing surgical training and fostering international collaboration.
Dr. Afsheen Nasir, MD
Member, International Affairs Committee
Dr. Nasir is a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at Yale University School of Medicine with interests in sex-based disparities in cardiac and aortic diseases. Through her advocacy work with the Yale Postdoctoral Association and her involvement with the International Affairs Committee of the Women in Thoracic Surgery, she hopes to work towards workplace equity and global inclusion of voices of women in spaces where women represent a minority.