Thistlethwaite Scholarship - Women in Thoracic Surgery

This award is named for Dr. Patricia Thistlethwaite, 43rd President of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA) and former leader with Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS).

Thank You to Zimmer Biomet

for Support of this Scholarship and the WTS!

This award is named for Dr. Patricia Thistlethwaite, 43rd President of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA) and former leader with Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS). Dr. Thistlethwaite is a nationally-recognized cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in lung cancer, mediastinal and chest wall surgery, diseases of the thymus, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, and heart and lung transplantation. She conducts clinical research and has led major national trials to treat lung cancer. In addition, Dr. Thistlethwaite plays a significant role in training future cardiothoracic surgeons.

This award allows a woman resident or fellow in a US training program with an interest in cardiothoracic surgery the opportunity to attend the WTSA Annual Meeting, and to be mentored throughout the meeting by a WTS/WTSA 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 application process for the 2026 WTS Thistlethwaite Scholarship will Open on March 13, 2026.

Application Information

In addition to completing an application form, applicants will be asked to submit a current CV and a letter of recommendation.

The submission deadline for applications is 11:59 PM, PDT, April 13, 2026.

Submit WTS Thistlethwaite Scholarship Application Here.

For questions, please email help@wtsnet.org.

WTS Thistlethwaite Scholarship for Attendance at the 52nd WTSA Annual Meeting

Meeting Dates: June 24 – 27, 2026
Location: Black Desert, Ivins, Utah

Award: Up to $2,800 to cover air travel (one round-trip coach class airfare) and ground transportation (shuttle, taxi and or/shared ride, Uber/Lyft), lodging (up to four nights at The Black Desert Resort), meals (not already provided by WTSA). Awardee will be provided complimentary registration including a ticket to the WTSA President’s Reception.

Award Payout: A meeting registration link including a ticket to the WTSA President’s Reception will be provided to the winner upon confirmation. Following the WTSA Annual Meeting, up to $2,800 in travel, meals and lodging will be reimbursed upon receipt of a completed report/evaluation of experience, and expense reimbursement form and receipts.

Eligibility: Women 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/WTSA member will be assigned prior to the WTSA 52nd Annual Meeting.