We are pleased to announce the inaugural year of the Muriel To (Kang Ying) Yang Surgical Education Award Program through the Women in Thoracic surgery. This award is made possible through the generous donation of Dr. Stephen Yang, in honor of his mother Muriel T. Yang (11/23/27-8/30/17) who was a lifelong educator. Muriel would have been turning 99 this year, which in Chinese tradition represents not only starting a new century but also carries a profound meaning: harmony and longevity. It is with that same symbolism that the announcement of this scholarship bears particular significance as Muriel would have turned 99 in November 2026, the very month Women in Thoracic Surgery is gathering for our 3rd annual meeting.
The focus of this award is to support and advance education-related training and research in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. The scholarship winner will receive $4,000 in funding that can be used towards attending an educational course (e.g. Surgeons as Educators or obtaining a Masters’s degree in Education) or performing education-related research. The goal is to support career development and empower more women to step into prominent leadership roles at the local, regional, and national levels.
Review process: Applications will be reviewed by members of the WTS Scholarship Committee and will be ranked based on a personal statement, academic achievement, future plans, and letters of support.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must:
- Be an active member of WTS
- Be a medical student, general surgery resident, cardiothoracic surgery resident or fellow enrolled at an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
Interested applicants must submit the following materials here:
- Current CV
- Personal and Career Goal Essay describing how the candidate aligns with the ideals of Muriel T Yang and how this scholarship will be put towards supporting your efforts to become a better educator or education-focused researcher (maximum of 500 words)
- Letter of Recommendation
- Letter of Support
- Trainees must submit a personal letter of support from their residency or fellowship program director permitting time away for conference participation.
Timeline:
Applications open: November 13, 2026
Applications due: December 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.
Award Notification: Winner announced at the WTS Reception taking place at the STS 63rd Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA
Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For questions, please contact help@wtsnet.org.