TSF/STS Douglas Mathisen Traveling Fellowship in General Thoracic Surgery

Launching in the 2024 Awards Program! – STS Past President and TSF Past Board Member, Douglas J. Mathisen, MD, has had a huge impact in the cardiothoracic surgery specialty through his dedication to patient care and unwavering commitment to resident education. He has been a tremendous role model, mentor, and sponsor to scores of residents, fellows, and early careerists.

Purpose: The purpose of this traveling fellowship is to facilitate the continuing education of deserving early career general thoracic surgeons. The award is to be used for international or domestic travel to another institution for up to four weeks for the purpose of learning a novel technique, adapting innovative technology and/or fostering collaboration between surgical investigators in order to further the progress of general thoracic surgery at the recipient’s home institution. This award can be used for either domestic travel within North America or international travel between North America and Europe. The successful applicant will have a record of excellence in training and academic achievement. He/she will have secured a position at a host institution, and a mentor capable of providing continued growth and development in the realm of general thoracic surgery.

Eligibility:                                                                                                                                                        

  • The applicant must be 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, or who will be certified by the grant start date and who is within 5 years of their first faculty appointment.
  • Surgeons who have achieved recognition of achievement in thoracic surgery, and who devote their professional efforts to the subspecialty of general thoracic surgery.
  • Applicants must have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in his or her respective geographic area, and have no action pending which could adversely affect the applicant’s qualification for staff privileges at any hospital.

Mentor/Convenor:

  • Applicant is responsible for selection of his/her mentor.
  • Applicant is responsible for securing a position with the mentor at the host institution.
  • Mentor must be an STS member.

Funding: 

  • International fellowship: Awards of $20,000 for up to four weeks will be granted to support a cardiothoracic surgeon for this fellowship, for international travel. The first award payment (75%) will be distributed at time of award notification. The second and final grant installment (25%) will be made upon completion of a satisfactory progress report, which will be approved by the TSF Mathisen Award Committee. This award of $20,000 will be used to defray the travel and living expenses for the fellowship period.
  • Domestic fellowship: Awards of $10,000 for up to four weeks will be granted to support a cardiothoracic surgeon for this fellowship, for domestic travel. The first award payment (75%) will be distributed at time of award notification . The second and final grant installment (25%) will be made upon completion of a satisfactory progress report, which will be approved by the TSF Mathisen Award Committee. This award of $10,000 will be used to defray the travel and living expenses for the fellowship period.

Contribute to the Mathisen Traveling Fellowship

Please join us in honoring Dr. Mathisen’s contributions and dedication to thoracic surgical education and training. We thank you in advance for your support! Donations can be made:

Application Selection: The TSF grant applications will be initially reviewed and evaluated by the TSF Mathisen Awards Committee. The Committee will make a formal recommendation to the TSF Board of Directors for funding consideration.

Application: 

  • Biographical Information
  • Personal Goal (100 words)
  • Career Goal (500 words)
  • Education Environment at Host Institution (750 words)
  • Mentor/Convenor Information

Required Application Materials: 

  • Submit Online Application (Applications Open Date: July 2023)
  • Applicant CV
  • Mentor CV
  • One (1) Letter of Support from Mentor: The letter should confirm: (a) the availability of adequate training environment/educational experience that will provide the proposed training, and (b) his or her agreement to serve as mentor.
  • Budget (approximate breakdown of funding costs)
  • Visa and appropriate international travel materials

Timeline:

  • Application Open Date: 7/1/23
  • Application Deadline: 9/15/23
  • Award Announcement: 02/01/24