Valerie Rusch Mentored Career Development Award

About this program

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Foundation offers the Valerie Rusch Mentored Career Development Award to support women cardiothoracic surgeons and enhance cardiothoracic expertise in low-to-middle-income-countries (LMICs). Funding is available for North American female surgeons or trainees to conduct research in LMICs, or for female surgeons from LMICs to receive clinical training in North America, pursue translational research, or host a North American surgeon-mentor. Awards range from $10,000 for travel to $50,000 for research fellowships. Eligibility is limited to practicing female thoracic and cardiac surgeons or trainees, with strong encouragement for applicants from LMICs, requiring a letter of support from a mentor or host and a detailed application tailored to the fellowship type.