"At the end of the eight weeks, I had seen and experienced more than I ever expected. The time I spent with the attending and residents was invaluable and I am more interested in becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon now than I ever thought I would be at this time."

- Ashley Kaiser, Medical University of South Carolina, 2007 Recipient

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The Summer Intern Scholarship program was established in 2007 to introduce the field of cardiothoracic surgery to first and second year medical students in a North American medical school and to broaden their educational experience by providing an opportunity to spend eight weeks during the summer (June thru September) working in an AATS' members cardiothoracic surgery department.

Funded by the Graham Education and Research Foundation and administered by the Association, a grant of $4,000 will be provided to successful applicants to underwrite their living expenses during the eight weeks of training at the selected host institution. Additionally all awardees will receive complimentary registration to the association's 2010 Annual Meeting taking place May 1-5 in Toronto, ON, Canada.

Applicants must have the approval of the prospective sponsoring institution and host sponsor who must be a member of the AATS. Candidates must be a first or second year medical student as of January 15, 2010, and must complete an online application and include a one-page outline of what they hope to accomplish during their eight week scholarship. The outline must not exceed one page, and should specifically state the proposed exposure to cardiothoracic surgery to be undertaken by the student, which should include some aspect of laboratory and/or clinical reporting/investigation. The period of study must take place in the institution of the host sponsor. A letter of support from the host sponsor should be addressed to the AATS Secretary and submitted online by each candidate via the online application submission system. Additionally, award recipients must agree to submit a summary report and evaluation of their experience to the association within sixty days after the completion of their internship. 

Applications for the 2010 award are now closed