TSF International Medical Volunteer Scholarship

Overview: The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF), through the generosity of the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, is offering travel scholarships of $2,500 for qualified cardiothoracic surgery residents and early-career cardiothoracic surgeons who are interested in participating in global surgical outreach.

The TSF International Medical Volunteer Scholarship provides a 1-2 week volunteer opportunity for a cardiothoracic medical volunteer to learn from an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon volunteer leader. International Medical Volunteer Scholars will choose from TSF affiliated cardiac surgical trips, and serve as an active member of the volunteer team, assisting with surgery, screening, and medical education for underserved patients. Examples of international TSF volunteer opportunities include the following regions: Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, and Uganda.

*Underserved people are defined as those who have a health disparity as defined by the CDC and lack awareness of, or access to, medically appropriate healthcare

Purpose: The TSF International Medical Volunteer Scholarships aim to provide a global cardiothoracic surgery volunteer experience for cardiothoracic surgery residents or early-career surgeons (within seven years of completion of CT surgery residency) who wish to gain experience in surgical outreach efforts. This trip allows volunteers to work with underserved patients in low and middle-income countries under the mentorship of an experienced surgeon volunteer. Scholars will choose from TSF-sponsored cardiac medical outreach trips and serve as active members of the volunteer team, assisting with surgery, screening, and medical education for underserved patients. These trips are designed to educate, screen and/or treat underserved populations to reduce the global burden of heart valve disease, and may include other programs that advance health care and address underserved populations.

Eligibility – Candidates must meet one of the following descriptions:

a) A cardiothoracic surgeon who has completed a program leading to certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or its equivalent in a country outside of the United States, and who is within seven years of completion of CT surgery residency, or;

b) A cardiothoracic surgery resident enrolled in an ACGME-accredited cardiothoracic surgery residency fellowship program who has not yet completed their training.

To apply for the 2024 TSF International Medical Volunteer Scholarship, candidates must:

1. Submit and complete the online application.
2. Submit a CV or resume
3. Submit one letter of recommendation*.

*If the applicant is a resident, the letter of recommendation must come from the applicant’s program director, and it must confirm that the resident has permission to participate as an international medical volunteer, which would remove them from their residency program for up to two weeks.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you have questions, please contact TSF Headquarters at tsf@sts.org or (312) 202-5868.

Click here to apply.