The Valerie Rusch Mentored Career Development Award from the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) supports women cardiothoracic surgeons and the development of cardiothoracic expertise in low-to-middle-income countries.This career development award can be used for female North American thoracic and cardiac surgeons or trainees to pursue a research project in a LMIC or for a female thoracic or cardiac surgeon or trainee from a LMIC to support clinical observational training in North America, translational research, or the opportunity to have a visiting North American cardiac or thoracic surgeon-mentor provide training, education, or research support at the applicant’s LMIC home institution. Applications are open to practicing female thoracic and cardiac surgeons, or those enrolled in thoracic or cardiac surgery training programs. The program strongly encourages applicants from LMIC.
The program provides:
- Up to $10,000 to allow for travel for longitudinal visits;
- Up to $15,000 would support a cardiac surgeon complete a 1-3 month observational clinical fellowship;
- Up to $50,000 would provide partial salary support for a 1-year translational research fellowship.
