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Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship

Program Overview

The Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship was established in 1951 by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery for the purpose of supporting study within North America by promising young academic cardiothoracic surgeons from outside the region to broaden their overall training and increase international contacts. Since the inception of the Graham Traveling Fellowship, 66 individuals from 30 countries have completed the Fellowship. Starting this year, two candidates will be supported annually, one cardiac and one thoracic fellow. Each will be provided with $50,000 for six months of training at their identified host institution. Individuals who are accepted for ACGME-approved surgical fellowships may also apply to this program. For these applicants, the award can be used to allow for additional time visiting other North American cardiac or thoracic surgery programs during or after the ACGME fellowship. USMLE certification is recommended, but not required for applicants who will not participate in an ACGME surgical fellowship.

View Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship recipients & hosts

Eligibility

  • Awards are made to surgeons of unique promise who are regarded as having potential for international thoracic surgical leadership.
  • A candidate should have completed his/her formal training in general surgery and in thoracic and/or cardiovascular surgery, but should not yet have reached a senior position.
  • Candidates must be sufficiently proficient in English to realize the full benefits of the Fellowship.
  • Candidates must identify an AATS Member at a primary center who will act as their sponsor and who will assist in planning the course of study at the host institution. A letter of support from that sponsor is required.
  • In addition to their primary center, candidates are allowed to select secondary centers in which complementary experience can be acquired, and at which the candidate will spend shorter periods of time. These centers should be selected with guidance from their primary host, and mentors at those locations should submit letters of support.
  • All fellows are expected to engage in observation, consultation, teaching, and research during the award period. Significant clinical and surgical experience is expected of those awardees who are enrolled in a formal ACGME-type surgical fellowship.
  • Applicants may participate in additional 12 month surgical fellowships. For such fellows, the Graham award can be used to spend additional time visiting other North American cardiac or thoracic surgery programs.
  • Candidates must be non-North American residents without significant (less than six months) previous training in North America prior to applying. While candidates with prior North American experience may apply, those with no prior experience will receive preference.

Application Process

  • Applicants should provide a curriculum vitae with a full description of their surgical experience.
  • The applicant's proposed plan of study must clearly outline the educational insights and benefits that the fellowship will have on their professional career.
  • Letters of support from host surgeons are required and must outline future ambitions towards a potential leadership role in cardiothoracic surgery.
  • In addition to the above documentation, all applicants must provide a proposed budget of how the funding will be utilized.
  • The successful candidate should be planning to return to their native country following the completion of their fellowship.

**Please note that any award payments made to foreign individuals may be subject to federal tax withholding of up to 30% if a recipient is traveling to the United States.


Review Process

The Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship Committee will review all applications and select two awardees to be presented to AATS Foundation Board of Directors for a final decision. Applications will be graded on all aspects of the award criteria. At the conclusion of their experience, a final report is required for submission prior to the AATS Foundation Board of Directors Meeting at the AATS Annual Meeting.

The deadline for this program has passed.