Aortic Training Program
Applicant Requirements: Deadline ends at 11:59pm Eastern on 7/1/2026
Career Stage: Early Career Surgeons
Program Type: Fellowship
Specialty: Cardiac
Status: Open
Opens: May 20, 2026
Deadline: July 2, 2026
Program Overview
The AATS Foundation Aortic
Training Program affords awardees the opportunity to be hosted by Dr. Li-Zhong
Sun at DeltaHealth Hospital in Shanghai, China.
This program provides an immersive, high-level exposure to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of complex thoracic and abdominal aortic disease. This program offers participants a unique opportunity of attending and/or performing advanced aortic surgical procedures commensurate to the follow’s experience, and exposure to contemporary strategies for cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest.
Fellows will be integrated into a multidisciplinary cardiovascular team consisting of attending surgeons, anesthesiologists, perfusionist, intensivists, surgical assistants, trainees, and specialized nursing staff, highlighting the collaborative approach required for optimal outcomes in complex aortic care. Clinical exposure includes observation of highly specialized procedures such as aortic root replacement, hemiarch and total arch replacement, frozen elephant trunk, open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, endovascular thoracic aortic repair, and advanced aortic valve interventions.
Host Site
DeltaHealth Hospital in Shanghai, China
AATS Host Mentor
Dr. Li-Zhong Sun
*Under Dr. Sun’s leadership, DeltaHealth has developed into a premier global referral center for complex open aortic reconstruction, distinguished by its ability to perform extensive thoracic and abdominal aortic repairs that are rarely undertaken elsewhere.
Funding
This program provides a funding award of up to $15,000 for up to three months of study to help defray travel and living expenses while abroad. DeltaHealth will assist visiting scholars in securing appropriate housing accommodations to support a productive and comfortable training experience. In addition, recipients are strongly encouraged to attend the AATS Annual Meeting.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for an award, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- North American or European cardiothoracic surgeons who have recently completed their residency within the past seven years who are seeking an opportunity to spend time doing hands-on training.
Application Process
- Applicants should provide a curriculum vitae with a full description of their surgical experience.
- Letters of support from his/her current attending surgeon and future department chair/division chief*
- One to two-page narrative to include
- What you hope to accomplish during your fellowship at the host institution.
- How you plan to utilize the skills you have learned upon returning to your home institution.
- How this fellowship relates to the your prior experience, preparation, and professional goals.
- Statement of future career goals.
*For those looking to send letters of support for the candidate directly to the AATS Foundation, please email foundation@aats.org.
Review Process
The AATS Foundation’s Asian Scholarship Committee will review all applications and recommend recipients to be presented to AATS Foundation Board of Directors for a final decision. Applications will be graded on all aspects of the award criteria.
All applicants will be notified with an official letter from the AATS Foundation within 2-3 months of the program deadline. Should you have any questions regarding your status prior to receiving this notification, please contact foundation@aats.org.