This award is named for Dr. A.J. Carpenter, 63rd President of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) and former President and long-time leader with WTS. Dr. Carpenter is not only a national leader in cardiac surgery and thoracic education, but also a tremendous mentor to a growing cohort of young surgeons nationwide.

This award allows a woman in medical school or surgical training in the U.S. with an interest in cardiothoracic surgery the opportunity to attend the STSA Annual Meeting, and to be mentored throughout the meeting by a WTS/STSA member. In addition, women postdoctoral candidates in a research or other gap year who have graduated medical school in the U.S. and are committed to cardiothoracic surgery, are eligible to apply.

The STSA meeting is widely recognized as one of the most coveted national meetings in cardiothoracic surgery. The meeting’s format and location provide a strong academic program and unique opportunities for social interaction and relationship building.

The application process for the 2026 WTS Carpenter Scholarship will open on June 1, 2026.

Interested applicants must will be required to submit the following in one application here. Incomplete packets will not be accepted:

Application form which includes a 250 word maximum essay question response
Current CV
Letter of support from the applicant’s medical school official or residency program director permitting participation
Letter of recommendation

The submission deadline for applications is July 27, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Contact WTS Headquarters at help@wtsnet.org with questions.

WTS Carpenter Scholarship for Attendance at the STSA Annual Meeting

Meeting Dates:
November 6-7, 2026

Location:
Disney Yacht Club Hotel, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

WTS Carpenter Scholarship Application

Award: Up to $2,000 to cover air travel (one round-trip coach class airfare), ground transportation (shuttle, taxi and Uber/Lyft), lodging (up to three nights at the Disney Yacht Club Hotel), and meals (not already provided by STSA). Tickets to the President’s Mixer and Dinner Gala are included. Registration fee is waived for scholarship recipient.

Award Payout: Following the STSA Annual Meeting, up to $2,000 in travel and lodging expenses will be reimbursed upon receipt of a completed report/evaluation of experience, and expense reimbursement form and receipts.

Eligibility: Female medical students, general surgery residents, and cardiothoracic surgery residents enrolled at an ACGME-accredited institution in the U.S. In addition, women postdoctoral candidates in a research or other gap year who have graduated medical school in the U.S. and are committed to cardiothoracic surgery, are eligible to apply.

Mentor: A WTS/STSA member will be assigned prior to the STSA Annual Meeting.

STSA supports southern and southern-trained members of the cardiothoracic surgery community and their families in the pursuit of the highest quality patient care, education, scientific achievement, collegiality, and life balance. STSA represents more than 1,100 cardiothoracic surgeons throughout the country. Although the STSA is a regional society by definition, members are from all over the United States. At the time of acceptance, candidates for STSA Active membership must be practicing, or have previously practiced cardiothoracic surgery for at least one year, or have completed their general surgery residency, thoracic surgery residency, or a thoracic or cardiovascular research or clinical fellowship for at least 12 consecutive months in one of the following states/regions: Alabama; Arkansas; Florida; Georgia; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Mississippi; Missouri; North Carolina; Oklahoma; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia; West Virginia; District of Columbia; the U.S. territories and commonwealths in the Caribbean.

2025 Award Recipient

Ivy Mannoh, MD
General Surgery Resident (PGY2), Johns Hopkins Department of Surgery

Dr. Ivy Mannoh

“I’m incredibly grateful to Women in Thoracic Surgery for the opportunity to attend the 72nd STSA Annual Meeting through the A.J. Carpenter Scholarship. It was a privilege to hear from clinician leaders who shared cutting-edge advancements in surgical techniques, perioperative care, and emerging technologies. The experience was inspiring — filled with excellent educational sessions, welcoming mentors, and meaningful conversations with fellow trainees and faculty.
I was honored to spend some time with Dr. Carpenter, my WTS mentor Dr. Wilder and my institution mentor, Dr. Yang, who all made the meeting especially impactful by introducing me to leaders in the field and offering thoughtful guidance on training pathways and career development. The networking events, including the President’s Mixer and Dinner Gala, created a strong sense of community which was remarkable to witness and reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing cardiothoracic surgery.
Thanks to WTS, I left conference with renewed motivation, feeling supported, and excited for the future. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to giving back to this community, that has already given me so much.”

2024 Award Recipient

Mariam Shariff, MD
General Surgery Resident (PGY3), Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical

Dr. Mariam Shariff

“The WTS Carpenter Scholarship not only allowed me the incredible opportunity to attend the STSA (Southern Thoracic Surgical Association) Annual Meeting nut also opened doors for meaningful mentorship under Dr. AJ Carpenter and Dr. Dawn Hui.

Both Dr. Carpenter and Dr. Hui were exceptionally generous with their time, offering invaluable guidance on my academic and career development. Dr. Hui, my mentor, went above and beyond to offer me exceptional guidance and support. She kindly invited me to dinner with her residents, medical students, and colleagues, creating an opportunity for me to connect with her team in a more personal setting. Additionally, she took the time to introduce me to faculty members and renowned experts in cardiothoracic surgery, providing me with invaluable networking opportunities that will undoubtedly shape my career moving forward. Dr. Hui consistently provided me with invaluable guidance on shaping my career in cardiothoracic surgery, particularly offering strategies to help me prepare for my upcoming fellowship match. We also had stimulating discussions about the future of research in the field, which sparked several project ideas and opened up exciting research opportunities for me moving forward. Additionally, I had the incredible opportunity to reconnect with my mentor, Dr. Shanda Blackmon, and witness her being awarded the position of Second Vice President—an inspiring moment that further highlighted her leadership in the field. The STSA meeting itself was a dynamic environment for learning, with presentations, panel discussions (especially enjoyed meeting Dr. Fauci), and networking that deepened my understanding of thoracic surgery and its latest advancements. Alongside all the education and learning, STSA was filled with fun networking platforms – especially enjoyed attending Dr. Yang’s Texas themed President’s mixer.

Overall, the WTS Carpenter Scholarship not only provided me with the opportunity to attend this prestigious event, but also helped me build lasting connections with some of the top leaders in the field. It was especially inspiring to be surrounded by powerful women leaders, whose influence further solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in cardiothoracic surgery and strengthened the foundation for my future in the field.”

2023 Award Recipients

Dr. Paighton Miller, Resident, Washington University at St. Louis

Dr. Paighton Miller

“I am truly thankful to the Women in Thoracic Surgery for selecting me for the A.J. Carpenter Scholarship to attend the STSA 70th Annual Meeting in Orlando this year. I am a fourth-year medical student and was applying into residency at the time of this year’s meeting. Having access to the mentorship of WTS made my meeting experience this year all the more impactful. Dr. Preventza, my mentor, went out of her way to invite me to lunch with other students, residents, and faculty on the second day of the meeting. She introduced me to faculty from multiple institutions and took the time to share her advice on not only pursuing and presenting research but also applying to residency programs and finding the right fit for me. Additionally, the meeting provided a perfect opportunity for me to make connections with other residency applicants and current residents to talk about their experiences and revel in our shared journeys to cardiothoracic surgery. I especially enjoyed connecting with Dr. Busra Cangut, the other Carpenter Scholarship recipient. It was inspiring to be surrounded by such driven and powerful women in thoracic surgery. The president’s mixer and dinner gala were marked by joyous reunions and passionate conversations among colleagues and long-time friends. The camaraderie among the attendees of the STSA was evident throughout the meeting and it was so reaffirming for me to get to attend and be a part of this community that I hope to continue to grow in for my future career. I am so grateful to the WTS for allowing me this opportunity and experience. I hope to pay forward the inspiration and mentorship that I received throughout the meeting, and I look forward to the next time we are all together again!”

Dr. AJ Carpenter and Dr. Busra Cangut, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Dr. Busra Cangut

Biography:

Busra Cangut is a physician from Turkey who completed her postdoctoral fellowship, master’s degree, and general surgery intern year at the Mayo Clinic. During her postdoctoral fellowship in a basic science lab, she focused on the role of oxidative stress in the development of atherosclerosis. Clinically, her research has concentrated on the durability of aortic bioprostheses. Currently, she is working on cardiac imaging technologies, such as cardiac PET/MRI and 4D flow MRI, for specific valve pathologies at Mount Sinai Hospital and preparing for her board certification in cardiovascular imaging. Additionally, she is a current fellow of the ERAS Cardiac Society, focusing on perioperative care. She aspires to become an academic cardiac surgeon with a comprehensive understanding of cardiothoracic surgery, encompassing basic science, clinical, and imaging aspects for a holistic grasp of the field.

Experience:

“I am beyond grateful to WTS for organizing the Carpenter Scholarship program. It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by passionate and driven women in the field I aspire to join. I have never felt more empowered and supported. I had the privilege of being paired with an outstanding mentor, Dr. Zwischenberger, and the opportunity to spend time with Dr. Carpenter. A heartfelt thank you to WTS for the thoughtfully planned agenda, wonderful reception, and invaluable networking opportunities.

This experience was truly transformative. The welcoming and supportive nature of this close-knit community left a lasting impact on me. Attending the meeting and connecting with such inspiring women affirmed my decision to pursue a career in this field. I left feeling energized and excited about joining this remarkable community.

Thank you to Dr. Antonoff and Dr. Molena for their support. I hope that, as I pursue my path in cardiac surgery, I can mentor and inspire the next generation of young women aiming to enter this rewarding career.”