Emerging Thoracic Surgical Oncologist Fellowship

Program Overview

The Emerging Thoracic Surgical Oncologist Fellowship was established in 2020 by the AATS Foundation to improve lung cancer treatment by fostering multidisciplinary knowledge and innovation through a broadened educational experience available to young thoracic surgeons. This program supports the next generation of medical professionals who will ultimately shape the future of thoracic surgical oncology. The major aim of this initiative is to improve the outcomes of patients with thoracic malignancies, lung cancer in particular, in both academic and community practices.

Acceptance into the program includes the following:

• Award of up to $15,000 for one fellow to participate in a 4-week fellowship with select AATS host institutions with expertise focused on general thoracic surgical oncology and the multidisciplinary management of cancer patients.
• Awarded fellow can utilize a portion of funds to cover airfare, lodging, and registration fees to attend the 2023 AATS Annual Meeting (up to $2,000) and 2022 International Thoracic Surgical Oncology Summit (up to $1,000) to further enhance their educational experience.
• Participation in webinars.

Hosts

A number of AATS host surgeons/institutions who are experienced in thoracic surgical oncology have partnered with the AATS Foundation on this initiative. Interested applicants have the option to select their own host institution with approval from host. If selecting host institution outside of suggested host sponsors, applicant is required to contact the program of their choice and obtain a letter of agreement from host surgeon to be submitted with their application. Potential hosts are listed below.

• Shanda H. Blackmon, MD, Mayo Clinic
• Yolonda L. Colson, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Thomas A. D’Amico, MD, Duke University
• David R. Jones, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• James D. Luketich, MD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
• Brendon M. Stiles, MD, Montefiore Medical Center
• Scott J. Swanson, MD, Brigham & Women’s Hospital
• Mara B. Antonoff, MD, Wayne L. Hofstetter, MD, and Jack A. Roth, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Stephen C. Yang, MD, John Hopkins Hospital

Curriculum

The curriculum will be largely defined by the host institution but will include topics such as:

• Observation in the operating room of thoracic surgical oncology procedures.
• Observation of multidisciplinary clinic visits for patients with thoracic malignancies.
• Participation in staging conferences and multidisciplinary tumor boards.
• Review of ongoing neoadjuvant and adjuvant clinical trials in lung cancer.
• Updates and overview on molecular testing in advanced and early stage lung cancer.
• Overview of clinical research, clinical trial design, and translational research.
• Overview of biobanking, and clinical database development.
• Strategy sessions regarding abstract writing, grantsmanship, and industry collaborations.

View Emerging Thoracic Surgical Oncologist Fellowship recipients

Application Process

• Applicants should provide a curriculum vitae with a full description of their surgical experience.
• Letter of support from his/her current attending surgeon or department chair/division chief *
• One to two page narrative to include: (1) what you hope to accomplish during your observational fellowship at the host institution; (2) how you will utilize the skills you have observed and will implement at your home institution; (3) relationship of the planned study to your prior experience, preparation and professional goals; (4) statement of your future career goals.

*For those looking to send letters of support for the candidate directly to the AATS Foundation, please email admin@aatsfoundation.org.

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 AATS Foundation’s Thoracic 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 admin@aatsfoundation.org.

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