We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for WTS 2027 Officer & Leadership Positions. Get involved in our organization and help support our mission as the only organization dedicated to the support and advancement of women in the field of cardiothoracic surgery. Nominations close on October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST. The new WTS Leadership members will be announced at the WTS 3rd Annual Conference on November 4, 2026. 

Nominees are required to be WTS Members. To nominate yourself or another WTS Member, please use the form below. For questions, email help@wtsnet.org.

Open 2027 WTS Positions   

Executive Officers 

• Vice President: Shall assist the President as requested and, in the event the latter is absent or incapable of acting, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the President.
• Secretary: Shall supervise the maintenance of current files, including the bylaws and operating policies and procedures, membership database, and meeting minutes of WTS. The Secretary, or designee, shall ensure that minutes are recorded at the Annual Meetings. The Secretary shall correspond with Committee Chairs and obtain Committee updates to present to the Executive Committee. The Secretary will present a Committee Report to the membership at the Annual Meeting and assist with the duties of other members of the Executive Board.
• Treasurer: Shall supervise the maintenance of current financial records and accounts of WTS. The Treasurer shall participate in financial requests and activities of the Corporate Sponsorship Committee. The Treasurer shall advise the Executive Committee concerning billings, collections, and management of all funds. The Treasurer or designee will present a Financial Report to the membership at the Annual Meeting and for audit by an independent public accountant at intervals as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee

 Board & Leadership Positions 

• Director-at-Large: Serve on the Board of Directors and WTS Leadership. Responsibilities include voting on matters before the Board of Directors, and supporting other WTS Board of Directors members as needed.
• Member-at-Large: Members-at-Large shall assist the Board of Directors with special tasks, participate in the scholarship review process, and contribute to the WTS Newsletter.

 Committee Leadership Positions 

• Awards & Scholarships Committee Co-Chair: Shall be responsible for the execution of all WTS scholarship programs, the creation of an annual Request for Proposal (RFP) to facilitate funding of WTS Scholarship Programs, and facilitating the application process, including development of the application and review process.
• Communications Committee Co-Chair: Shall be responsible for content on the WTS website, current web address being www.WTSnet.org. The Chair is responsible for promotion of WTS via social media platforms including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
• Corporate Sponsorship Committee Co-Chair: Shall be responsible for obtaining corporate funding to support activities of the WTS and for disclosing the administrative fee for all funding through grants or other financial support. The administrative fees will be 10% unless noted otherwise in the grant, letter of agreement, or other form of fund acknowledgement, or scholarship programs.
• International Affairs Committee Co-Chair: Shall coordinate the creation of alliances with organizations and facilitate international collaborations, and strive to identify the worldwide census of female cardiothoracic surgeons.
• Membership Committee Co-Chair: Shall recruit new members, work to retain current members, and promote membership benefits. The Membership Co-Chairs shall review the status of all members monthly and report to the Executive Committee. The Membership Co-Chairs will send updates to past-due members monthly.
• Mentoring Committee Co-Chair: Shall maintain records to document mentoring relationships and shall provide updates for the WTS Newsletter and leadership about mentoring outcomes, and match mentees and mentors to facilitate these relationships.
• Oracle Editor: Shall be responsible for the preparation of the Women in Thoracic Surgery, Inc. newsletters, editing any materials submitted for publication, and serving as Chair of the Newsletter Committee. The goal is to have at least two newsletters each calendar year. The Newsletter Editor shall work with the sponsor/s to publish and distribute the newsletter. Members, corporate partners, potential members, and other individuals, as recommended by the Executive Committee, shall receive the newsletters.
• Private/Community Practice Committee Co-Chair: Responsible for representation of the community practice surgeon perspective at leadership meetings, for coordinating activities to provide support and networking for members in community practice, to encourage membership among women in community and private practice settings, and to identify and address unmet needs of this group of surgeon members.
• Program Committee Co-Chair: Shall be responsible for organizing the WTS Annual meeting and special programs, including but not limited to receptions at the AATS and STS Annual Meetings, coordinating speakers and topics with WTS leadership, and conducting tasks related to continuing medical education.
• Research Committee Co-Chair: Shall be responsible for identifying important research projects by WTS members, participating in the organization of the WTS Annual meeting, and special programs. The Research Chair will provide research and project updates for the Newsletter and contribute to social media communication.

 Trainee Leadership Positions 

• Medical Student Liaison: Responsible for providing the medical student perspective at leadership meetings, providing a student role at relevant committee activities, and may be asked to report to medical student organizations such as the TSMA or other societies.
• Resident Liaison: Shall be responsible for reporting WTS activities to leaders of the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA), working with TSRA’s leadership to promote WTS and its activities on TSRA social media platforms and at professional meetings, and engaging new Candidate members.

This scholarship will provide funding for a woman Cardiothoracic surgeon with greater than 5 years in practice to participate in further leadership training as part of a recognized national leadership program. The overarching goal of the scholarship is to provide support and career development for women interested in leadership opportunities. It is our hope to propel more women into prominent local, regional, and national leadership positions.

Potential sites for leadership training include: Brandeis Health Leadership Program, Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education programs, Stanford Executive Program, Northwest Kellogg Women’s Senior Leadership Program, or the AAMC Executive leadership program. However, applicants can propose other sites for completing their training. 

This year’s recipient will be awarded $15,000 towards the cost of completion of the leadership training. 

Interested applicants will be required to submit the following application materials through this form:

Application Form

• A letter of intent delineating the intended program 
• A current CV
• A letter of support from the applicant’s Division Chief or Equivalent that confirms support for the applicant to complete the leadership course and attests to how the full cost of the leadership program, beyond what is covered by the scholarship, will be funded.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience as a practicing thoracic surgeon with a primary focus in cardiothoracic surgery.
• Applicants must be an active WTS Member, learn more and apply here. 

Post-Award Documentation of Program Acceptance

• Before funds are awarded, the applicant must provide documentation confirming acceptance into a leadership program, including anticipated dates of completion

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

For questions, please email help@wtsnet.org.

This program is sponsored by AtriCure in partnership with the WTS Nora Burgess Leadership Scholarship Fund.

Scholarship Overview 

The WTS Kohman Scholarship supports women cardiothoracic surgeons as they explore meaningful transitions beyond the operating room. Inspired by Dr. Kohman’s own fulfilling post-surgical career, this award encourages recipients to pursue personal and professional growth through activities such as:

• Career coaching or executive leadership training
• Certification or board exam preparation
• Academic coursework or degrees
• Creative or entrepreneurial endeavors
• Other innovative transition pathways

Each recipient will receive $10,000 to support their chosen activity. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Interested applicants looking for assistance in identifying their professional growth activity may reach out to WTS to be paired with Senior WTS Mentors for personalized guidance and support with their application.

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants must:

• Be an active member of WTS
• Be a practicing thoracic surgeon with a primary focus in cardiothoracic surgery

Application Requirements 

Applicants must submit a complete application packet including:

• Essay Responses:
• Why are you interested in transitioning out of surgery?               
  • What ideas or plans do you have for your next career step?

    Current CV

• Letter of Support from the applicant’s Division Chief or equivalent (required only if time off is needed):

Post-Award Requirements 

Before funds are disbursed, recipients must provide documentation of acceptance into the selected program or activity and anticipated dates of completion. Recipients may choose to remain anonymous.

For questions, please email help@wtsnet.org.