COVID-19 UPDATE as of 4/24/2020: WTS will continue to monitor the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its impact on our organizational activities, and – most important – the impact on our members and staff. Our top priority is the health and safety of our members and staff. All updates will continue to be shared on the WTS website.

Women in
Thoracic Surgery

WTS Inaugural Annual Conference

The Women in Thoracic Surgery are excited to be hosting their Inaugural Annual Meeting, from Thursday, September 5, to Friday, September 6, 2024, in San Diego, CA. This event promises enriching educational sessions, insightful presentations from surgical pioneers, mentorship prospects, and career advancement avenues

WTS Conference Planning Committee

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

WTS Leadership:
Dr. Daniela Molena, President
Dr. Mara Antonoff, Vice President
Dr. Stephanie Worrell, Secretary
Dr. Hannah Copeland, Treasurer
Dr. Lauren Kane, Immediate Past President
Dr. Shanda Blackmon, Past President
Dr. Leah Backhus, Director-at-Large
Dr. Mimi Ceppa, Director-at-Large
Dr. Lana Schumacher, Director-at-Large
Dr. Lisa Brown, Director-at-Large

Communications Co-Chairs:
Dr. Susana Fortich and Dr. Busra Cangut

Program Committee:
Dr. Stephanie Chang (Chair), Dr. Lauren Barron, Dr. Elan Burton, Dr. Jenalee Coster, Dr. Tara Karamlou, Dr. Daniela Molena, and Dr. Mara Antonoff.

Research Committee:
Dr. Mara Antonoff (Co-Chair), Dr. Stephanie Worrell (Co-chair), Dr. Ammara Watkins
Dr. Marianna Papageorge, Dr. Sara Sakowitz, Dr. Rebekah Boyd, Dr. Nicole Lin, Dr. Tanisha Rajah, Dr. Madigan Stanley, and Dr. Busra Cangut.

Mentorship Chair:

Dr. Alicia Bonanno

Call for Abstracts

A call for abstracts for the inaugural WTS Meeting has been opened. We are seeking abstracts with the goal to promote research from women in the field of cardiothoracic surgery and research that supports and promotes women within the specialty. Top abstracts will be accepted for oral or poster presentation at the WTS 2024 Annual Meeting.

The deadline for submission is May 1, 2024, 11:59pm PST. Submit your abstracts here.

Please contact events@wtsnet.org with any questions.

Abstract Instructions:

Abstracts have a maximum limit of 350 words. This includes only the abstract body.
WTS has a required format for the body of an abstract. Abstracts must be written and divided into four sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Conclusions
Authors are permitted to upload ONE table or figure with their submission. Files must be uploaded through Qualtrics. Permitted file formats include JPG, PNG, or PDF. No other file formats will be accepted.
Tables/Figures do not count against the total word count.
Do not put author names and/or affiliations in the body. Abstracts which include references to authors or institutions will not be reviewed.

Venue

The Conference will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, CA. We have reserved a block of rooms with a special group rate at the hotel. More Registration and Booking Details To Come.

Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Ave
San Diego, CA
(619) 702-3000
www.hotel.hardrock.com/san-diego

WTS Inaugural Annual Conference Preliminary Agenda

September 5, 2024

Speed Mentoring (5:00-6:00 PM)

Hosted by Dr. Bonanno, WTS Mentorship Chair

Welcome Reception (6:00-7:30 PM)

September 6, 2024

Breakfast Sessions (7:30-8:15)

Early Career Symposium
Mid-Career Symposium

Main Morning Session: (8:30-9:30)

Innovation
Coaching/Time is Currency
Clinical Trials – Present data and discuss how to run a clinical trial

Split Morning Session: (9:45-10:45)

Trainees

Private Practice Versus Academic Medicine
Importance of Mentorship
Family Planning

Faculty

Mentorship/Sponsorship
- What to do With Opportunities – how to grow your career and mentee careers
- Career Advancement in National Societies
Pushing the Boundaries of Surgery
- How to develop new surgical techniques and devices
Branding/Reputation

Coffee Break (10:45-11:00)

Late Morning Session (11:00-12:30)

Keynote Speaker
Introduction of Dr. Molena by Dr. Antonoff
Molena Presidential Address

Industry sponsored lunch (12:30-1:30)

Cardiac/Congenital Symposium
Thoracic Symposium

Afternoon (2:00-3:00)

Oral presentations of top ranked med student, resident, and fellow abstracts.

Coffee Break (3:00-3:45)

Poster session

Roundtable Panel Discussion: WTS and Industry (3:50-4:30)

VIP Reception (5:00-5:30)

Industry and WTS Leadership Only

General Reception (5:30-6:00)

Presidential Gala (6:00-8:00)

Award Presentations, Dinner, Music

Lunch Symposium Sponsors

Support the WTS Inaugural Annual Conference

To become a sponsor of the WTS Inaugural Annual Conference, please review the 2024 WTS Sponsorship Prospectus and email our event planner, Belinda Lucero, blucero@inventures.com for inquiries.