AATS Member Spotlight

This month's featured member is:

Paula A. Ugalde Figueroa, MD

Brigham and Women's Hospital

General Thoracic

Member Since: 2019


Biography:

Dr. Paula Ugalde Figueroa has established herself as a thoracic surgeon dedicated to research and innovation. With a focus on innovative uniportal VATS approaches for lung cancer, she boasts an impressive portfolio of publications. Notably, Dr. Ugalde spearheaded the establishment of the lung cancer database at Laval University, Canada, elevating it to the world's leading contributor to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's prospective database.

Since 2021, Dr. Ugalde has served on the Board of Directors of the IASLC, alongside her memberships in prestigious organizations such as the American Association of Thoracic Surgery and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. As the past Chair of International Affairs for the Women in Thoracic Surgery society, she actively advocates for gender equity in her field.

In 2021, Dr. Ugalde transitioned to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where she is an Associate Surgeon within the Division of Thoracic Surgery. Emphasizing her academic prowess, she also serves as an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and is affiliated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Dr. Ugalde's influence extends beyond the operating room; she has played a pivotal role in introducing minimally invasive thoracic surgery techniques to Brazil and Latin America. Through her mentorship of hundreds of thoracic surgeons and her annual instruction of a Latin American fellow in Québec and now in Boston, she facilitates the dissemination of expertise throughout the region. Dr. Ugalde's commitment to empowering the next generation of female thoracic surgeons, particularly in developing countries, underscores her dedication to advancing the field on a global scale.

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