Purpose

Carolyn E. Reed, MD, was a thoracic surgeon, educator, and accomplished researcher who passed away during the prime of her career. She was the first woman to serve as Chair of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) and held presidencies at both the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). This award, established in her honor, provides up to $10,000 for one year to support a woman cardiothoracic surgeon or a woman resident in her final year of cardiothoracic surgery residency. The purpose of this fellowship is to allow a woman cardiothoracic surgeon to travel to another institution for the purpose of learning a new technology, fostering collaboration between surgical investigators, and providing an innovation to her home institution. This award of up to $10,000 will be used to defray the cost of travel and living expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must be women cardiothoracic surgeons who meet one of the following criteria:

• Have completed training leading to certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) or its Canadian equivalent, or‍
• Are in the final year of an ACGME-accredited (or Canadian equivalent)cardiothoracic surgery residency program.
  Note: If applying as a resident, the fellowship must begin only after the completion of training.
  
  

Additional Requirements:

• The applicant must be actively practicing or in training in either general thoracic surgery or cardiac surgery.
• The applicant must demonstrate a clear intent to expand her skills within her chosen specialty.
• A mentor or sponsor must be identified who agrees to provide a structured training experience.
• The proposed fellowship must be a new opportunity and not part of an existing fellowship in which the applicant is already participating.

Award Amount

Up to $10,000 will be awarded to help defray the cost of travel and living expenses.

Application Process

The proposed educational experience will be defined by the applicant to include technique/procedure to be learned, proposed mentor/site, duration of training experience and benefit to the applicant and to her home institution. The mentor/sponsor will be required to submit a letter that confirms (a) the availability of adequate clinic/case experience that will provide the proposed training, and (b) his or her agreement to serve as mentor.

Required Application Material

• Biographical Information
• Personal Goal (100 words or less)
• Career Goals (500 words or less)
• Education Environment at host institution (750 words or less)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or NIH Biosketch
  
• Mentor's Curriculum Vitae (CV) or NIH Biosketch
• Letter of Support from Mentor
• Headshot Photograph
• Optional: Additional Letters of Support

Application Selection and Terms

The Reed Traveling Fellowship grant applications will be initially reviewed and evaluated by the TSF Reed Awards Committee. The Committee will make a formal recommendation for funding to the TSF Board of Directors.

Terms: Training must be completed within one year of selection. 75% of the award will be disbursed 30–60 days prior to beginning the educational program. The proposed fellowship must be a new opportunity and not part of an existing program in which the applicant is already participating. A final written summary must be submitted to TSF within 30 days of completing the fellowship, summarizing the educational experience and any resulting changes in practice upon return to the home institution. The remaining funds will be released upon receipt of this report. If applying as a resident, the fellowship must begin only after the completion of training.

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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.

Timeline

• Application Open: July 1, 2025
• Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
• Applicants Notified of Award or Regrets: December 2025 - January 2026

See full award timeline here.