The STS Looking to the Future Scholarship program is a best-in-class education and workforce development program that helps general surgery residents and medical students pursue careers in cardiothoracic surgery. STS works directly with the country’s most talented residents and students and provides education and mentorship to help them navigate this exciting and complex surgical specialty. 

The primary goal of the scholarship is to provide mentorship and exposure for medical students and general surgery residents interested in pursuing careers in cardiothoracic surgery.

Since 2006, 946 aspiring cardiothoracic surgeons have received LTTF scholarships.

2026 Looking to the Future Scholarship Recipients

General Surgery Resident Scholars

Justin Jay Bader, MD – Yale  
Nicholas Callais, MD - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
Kevin Wei Chen, MD - New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital Center 
Maximilian Fliegner, MD - Georgetown University-Washington Hospital Center 
Hamidreza Hosseinpour, MD - Baptist Memorial Medical Education Program 
Michael Kirsch, MD, MSCR - University of Colorado 
Royce H. Kwon, MD - University of Hawaii 
Uma Mahajan, MD - SUNY Downstate Medical Center 
Stephanie Martinez Ugarte, MD, MS, MBA - McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston 
Ana L. McCracken, MD - University of Iowa Health Care 
Alexis Miranda, MD - Atrium Health - Carolinas Medical Center 
Kelsey Muir, MD - Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University Health - Brown University 
Khaled Noueihed, MD - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 
Olajide Olatidoye, MD - East Carolina University Health Medical Center 
Michael Ou, MD - University of California, San Francisco 
Sebastian Quinones-Carrasquillo, MD - University of Puerto Rico General Surgery 
Erik Rabin, MD - Rush University Medical Center 
Gabriella Rasmussen, MD - Medical University of South Carolina 
Chris Rumer, MD - University of Vermont Medical Center 
Ghazal Sanadgol, MD - Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center 
Margaret Shields, MD - Walter Reed National Military Medical Center 
Shachi Srivatsa, MD, MPH - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 
Manasa Veluvolu, MD, MPH - University of Kentucky 
Kenneth Williams, MD - UCSF East Bay 
Tyler Wilson, MD - University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences

Medical Student Scholars

Riya Aggarwal - Michigan State University College of Human Medicine - East Lansing 
Jonathan Assaad - UMass Chan Medical School 
Andrew Behrmann - University of Missouri School of Medicine - Columbia 
Ryan Braun - Georgetown University School of Medicine 
Tripp Causby - ECU Brody School of Medicine 
Ethan Chetkof - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine 
Jane Claeys - University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine - Chicago 
Rachel Drgastin - Oregon Health and Science University 
Taylor Dworkin - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
Hannah Frederick - University of Maryland School of Medicine 
Katherine Gustilo - University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus 
Tyrone Hill - Meharry Medical College 
Taylor Johnson - Mercer University School of Medicine 
Raihan Kabir - University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine 
Aaron Kleinertz - Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee 
Nitin Nadella - UMKC School of Medicine 
Schafer Paladichuk - Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences - College of Osteopathic Medicine 
Duy Pham - University of Virginia School of Medicine - INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus 
Benjamin Radosevich - University of Washington School of Medicine - Laramie, WY 
Supreet Singh Randhawa, MS - Emory University School of Medicine 
Deeya Sharma - University of Washington School of Medicine - Spokane Campus 
Delia Singleton - Howard University College of Medicine 
Reannon Suzuki - University of Hawaii at Manoa - John A. Burns School of Medicine 
Sasha Torres - Creighton University School of Medicine - Omaha 
Jason Yan - Drexel University College of Medicine 

2026 STS LTTF Scholarship Benefits

  • Complimentary registration for 2026 STS Annual Meeting, January 29-February 1, 2026, in New Orleans, LA
    • Scholars will be expected to arrive at the hotel on Wednesday, January 28 by 5pm CT and depart the meeting no earlier than 12pm CT Sunday, February 1. No early/late departure will be accommodated.
    • General Surgery residents: If you are selected for a scholarship, there will be no exceptions made to accommodate the ABSITE exam. Scholarship recipients are expected to make arrangements with their institutions to take the exam before/after attending the STS Annual Meeting.
  • A 4-night stay at an STS-designated hotel (check in January 28, check out February 1). Scholars are expected to stay the entire weekend.
  • Participation in exclusive events
  • Reimbursement of up to $700 in related travel expenses
    • Scholars will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements (i.e., flights).
    • Expenses will be reimbursed after the meeting, which could take up to two months. Scholars should keep all receipts that show itemized purchase and payment details.
       

Eligibility

The following are eligible to apply:

  • Medical students training at an institution in the United States or Canada
  • Clinical PGY1, PGY2, or PGY3 general surgery residents training at an institution in the United States or Canada
  • General surgery residents on dedicated research time who have not started their PGY4 clinical year training at an institution in the United States or Canada

Scholarships will be limited to one scholar per institution, per award. Preference will be given to MS1/MS2 and PGY1/PGY2 applicants.

Priority is given to applicants who have not attended a national cardiothoracic surgery meeting or received another CT surgery meeting scholarship. Please do not apply if you have received any of the following scholarships: STS LTTF or You Belong scholarships; AATS Member for a Day or Medical Student Diversity Scholarships, STSA Brooks Scholarship, or WTS Carpenter, Thistlethwaite, or Annual Meeting Scholarships.

All Applicants must provide the following:

  • A current CV
  • A signed letter of commitment form (see links to required forms) from Dean (Medical Students) or Program Director (General Surgery Residents)
  • A letter of recommendation on university/institution letterhead from a Program Director, cardiothoracic surgeon, or faculty member who knows you best (you will upload the letter into your application)
  • In 250 words or less, please describe why STS should select you for this scholarship. Incorporate the answers to these questions in your response and be as specific as possible: How have you defined and developed your interest in cardiothoracic surgery as a career? How have you pursued mentoring and exposure to CT surgery at your current institution? What opportunities would this scholarship afford you that are currently unavailable within your current institution?

Applications for the 2027 LTTF Scholarship will open in August 2026. 

Questions?
Email Maureen Ewing.