Scholarships | General Thoracic Surgical Club

Annual Meeting > 2027 GTSC Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting Scholarships

GTSC is proud to continue its tradition of supporting aspiring medical professionals by offering seven prestigious scholarships.

PETER C. PAIROLERO (PCP) SCHOLARSHIP

One outstanding medical student will be selected to receive the Peter C. Pairolero (PCP) Scholarship. This award honors Dr. Peter Pairolero, a founding member of GTSC, in recognition of his tremendous contributions to the Club. Dr. Pairolero remained a dedicated participant, attending every GTSC Annual Meeting through 2024.

The ideal candidate for the Peter C. Pairolero Scholarship is a medical student who demonstrates a strong interest in general thoracic surgery and a clear commitment to professional growth in this field. Applicants should show motivation to engage actively with the General Thoracic Surgical Club and its mission. The scholarship aims to support students who will benefit from increased exposure to thoracic surgery through GTSC activities and who exhibit dedication to pursuing a career in this specialty. Enthusiasm for learning and meaningful participation within the thoracic surgery community are important factors in the selection process.

MCKENNA SCHOLARSHIP

One general surgery resident and one general thoracic surgery fellow will be selected to receive the McKenna Scholarship. Dr. Rob McKenna, a long-time member of the Club, and his wife Kathy, both regular attendees of the Annual Meeting, made a generous donation in 2025 to support the education and growth of future general thoracic surgeons. We are proud to offer this scholarship as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders in general thoracic surgery.

The McKenna Scholarship will be awarded to one general surgery resident and one general thoracic surgery fellow who demonstrate a clear intention to pursue cardiothoracic surgery and are actively working to increase their exposure to the field. Ideal candidates are those preparing to apply to cardiothoracic surgery programs or further their training in general thoracic surgery. This scholarship serves as both recognition and encouragement for individuals committed to advancing their careers and contributing to the future of the specialty. Candidates should show motivation for engagement with the thoracic surgery community.

STS SCHOLARSHIP - TOP ABSTRACTS

Medical students, general surgery residents, thoracic surgery residents, and fellows are eligible for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Scholarship. The top three abstracts will be selected to receive this recognition and will be invited to present their work orally on Saturday morning.

Please see the Abstracts page for more details.

STS SCHOLARSHIP - TOP SURGICAL MOVIE

Medical students, general surgery residents, thoracic surgery residents, and fellows are eligible for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Scholarship. The top video submission will be selected to receive this recognition and will be invited to present their work orally on Friday evening.

An additional five video submissions will be selected for presentation without scholarship designation; however, all selected videos will be eligible to compete for one of two award, to be presented during the Saturday Awards Dinner.

Please see the Movie Night page for more details.

Application Opens: September 2026
Deadline for Submission: October 25, 2026, 11:59 PM CT
Acceptance/Rejection Notifications: December 2026

Scholarship Recipients will receive

Complimentary registration to the GTSC Annual Meeting
Hotel accommodations for three nights (room and tax only)
Up to $750 in travel reimbursement
Recognition and certificate presentation during our Saturday evening Gala Dinner

Submission Platform
GTSC has launched a brand new submission platform! All individuals will need to create an account via the REGISTER tab. Once created, the submission form should be pretty intuitive. However, if you have any questions, please email info@gtsc.org.

Application & Endorsement Process

The individual seeking the scholarship must complete and submit their own scholarship application.

Each application requires a Letter of Endorsement from one of the following:

An Active or Senior member of the Club
The Chief of your Department, Division, or Surgery

Please obtain your Letter of Endorsement before submitting your application.

As part of the application, you will provide your referee's contact information and upload their Letter of Endorsement. Once your application is submitted, your referee will receive an email asking them to approve the endorsement. We recommend contacting your referee after submitting your application so they know to look for this email. Your application will not be considered complete until your referee has approved the endorsement. All endorsement approvals must be received by the application deadline.

This is your opportunity to shine! Showcase your commitment to thoracic surgery, take advantage of valuable connections, and be recognized by leaders in the field.

All submissions will be thoughtfully reviewed by GTSC leadership, and while we can’t guarantee acceptance, we encourage you to share your work with us.