WTS 3rd Annual Conference

The Women in Thoracic Surgery are excited to be hosting their 3rd Annual Conference, from November 4 to 5, 2026, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Early Bird Registation is open

Call for Abstracts Open for the WTS 3rd Annual Conference

We are inviting abstract submissions from individuals in the field of cardiothoracic surgery and research that both highlight their groundbreaking work and promote the advancement of women within the specialty.

Abstracts will be considered for oral or poster presentation. Top-scoring abstracts presented by trainees will be eligible for trainee awards. Previously submitted or presented abstracts (not yet published) may also be submitted, though these will be considered for poster presentation only.

Submission Deadline: July 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST
Click here for full submission guidelines.

Thank you to the WTS Leadership and Committees for your efforts in planning the conference.

WTS Leadership:
Dr. Mara Antonoff, President
Dr. Leah Backhus, Vice President
Dr. Sara Pereira, Secretary
Dr. Lana Schumacher, Treasurer
Dr. Daniela Molena, Immediate Past President
Dr. Lauren Kane, Past President
Dr. Stephanie Worrell, Director-at-Large
Dr. Mimi Ceppa, Director-at-Large
Dr. Madhuri Rao, Director-at-Large
Dr. Philicia Moonsamy, Director-at-Large
Dr. Brittany Zwischenberger, Director-at-Large

Communications Co-Chairs:
Dr. Nicole Lin and Dr. Busra Cangut

Program Committee:
Dr. Stephanie Chang (Co-Chair), Dr. Amy Fiedler (Co-Chair), Dr. Elizabeth Norton, Dr. Christina Glenn, Dr. Gavitt Woodard, Dr. Kelly Fairbairn, Dr. Allison Weiderhold, Dr. Melanie Subramanian, Dr. Irsa Hasan, Dr. Amrita Sukhavasi, Dr. Dana Ferrari-Light, and Dr. Marianna Papageorge.

Research Committee:
Dr. Mara Antonoff (Co-Chair), Dr. Stephanie Worrell (Co-Chair), Dr. Laura DiChiacchio, Dr. Nimrat Grewal, Dr. Rajika Jindani, Dr. Kaitlin Bevers, Dr. Mariya Leonidovna Samoylova, Dr. Tanisha Rajah, Dr. Hannah Lacey McMullen, Dr. Nafiye Celik, Dr. Nicole Lin, Dr. Jessica Yavner, Dr. Mahnoor Imran, Dr. Madigan Stanley, Dr. Evelyn Alexander, Dr. Nicole Mott, Dr. Ammara Watkins, Dr. Sara Sakowitz, and Dr. Marisa Sewell.

Mentorship Co-Chairs:
Dr. Alicia Bonanno and Dr. Tessa Watt

Venue

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
1700 Epcot Resorts Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA 32830-8407
Phone: (407) 934-7000

Room Reservations:
Group Rate: $399/per  night + 12.5% tax (subject to change) | Room Reservation Cut Off:  October 2, 2026.
Run of House rooms at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort are based on 2 adults and 3 children in the room. If you have a 3rd or 4th or 5th adult in the room, it will be $35.00 per adult per night of their stay, plus tax.
*Subject to availability of group rate rooms, you may reserve rooms (3) days before Monday, November 2 and (3) days after Thursday, November 6 if you wish to extend your stay.

Book Your Room Here to access the WTS group rate.  If you are planning to attend the STSA event as well, please book your accommodations as follows:
WTS Link: November 3 & 4  https://disneyevent.com/wts3rdannualconf2026
STSA Link: November 5 – 8  https://disneyevent.com/stsam2026
*The hotel will do their very best to keep you in the same room if you’re staying for both conferences.

Support the WTS Annual Conference

To become a sponsor of the WTS Inaugural Annual Conference, please email our Program Manager, Allie Romero, alromero@inventures.com for inquiries.