Welcome to the new Women in Thoracic Surgery application portal. Open applications can be found below, the full list of annual scholarships can be found on the wtsnet.org website. 

Please note that all applicants are required to be active members of WTS. 

Submit to WTS Kohman Scholarship: “After the OR: What’s Next in Your Career?” Application Form

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.

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Submit to 2026 WTS Thistlethwaite Scholarship Application

This award allows a woman resident or fellow in a US training program with an interest in cardiothoracic surgery the opportunity to attend the WTSA Annual Meeting, and to be mentored throughout the meeting by a WTS/WTSA member. In addition, women postdoctoral candidates in a research or other gap year who have graduated medical school in the U.S. and are committed to cardiothoracic surgery, are eligible to apply.

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

Application Form This application form includes a 250-word maximum essay question response. 

Current CV

Letter of Support Letter of support from the applicant’s medical school official or residency program director permitting participation (Letter of support must reference the name of the applicant)

Letter of Recommendation

The submission deadline for applications is Midnight, PDT, April 13, 2026.

For questions, please email help@wtsnet.org.