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 2024 WTS Thistlethwaite Scholarship Opened March 4, 2024.
In addition to completing an application form (writable PDF below), applicants will be asked to submit a current CV and a letter of recommendation from an Active WTSA member. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm their letter of recommendation writer is an Active member of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (WTSA).The submission deadline for applications is Midnight, PDT, April 5, 2024.
Submit application and other required documents to help@wtsnet.org
WTS Thistlethwaite Scholarship Application
Interested applicants should send the application, CV and Letter of Recommendation in PDF or Word format via email to help@wtsnet.org. Provide one Zip File with all your documents. Letters of support must reference the name of the applicant. The email subject line should state: “WTS Thistlethwaite Application”. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Meeting Dates: June 26 – 29, 2024
Location: The Hythe Vail, Vail, Colorado
Award: Up to $4,000 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 Hythe Vail), meals (not already provided by WTSA) and a ticket to the WTSA President’s Reception and Banquet. The meeting registration fee is included in the scholarship.
Award Payout: Following the WTSA Annual Meeting, up to $4,000 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.
Previous recipients of any of the following scholarships/awards are not eligible to apply:
Mentor: A WTS/WTSA member will be assigned prior to the WTSA 50th Annual Meeting.