WGTS Academy

The ESTS Women in General Thoracic Surgery (WGTS) Academy supports female early-career general thoracic surgeons through mentorship, professional development and networking opportunities.

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Current Application Cycle

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About the Academy

The ESTS Women in General Thoracic Surgery (WGTS) Academy is an educational and professional development initiative dedicated to supporting early-career female general thoracic surgeons in their clinical and professional growth.

The Academy aims to foster excellence in thoracic surgery by providing opportunities for mentorship, knowledge exchange, leadership development, and international collaboration. Inspired by the findings of the ESTS/EACTS Gender Bias Survey, the programme addresses key challenges faced by women in the specialty and promotes equal access to education, training, and career advancement.

Through a combination of clinical observerships, educational webinars, in-person networking, and mentorship opportunities, the Academy connects participants with experienced thoracic surgeons and leading institutions across Europe and beyond.

By creating a supportive and collaborative international network, the ESTS WGTS Academy seeks to empower the next generation of female thoracic surgeons, encourage professional development, and contribute to a more inclusive and gender-balanced future in general thoracic surgery.

Programme & Objectives

The ESTS WGTS Academy offers a structured educational programme designed to support the clinical and professional development of early-career female general thoracic surgeons.

Through a combination of clinical immersions at leading international centres, surgical observation, simulation-based training, educational webinars and mentorship, participants gain valuable experience in advanced surgical techniques and different clinical practices.

The Academy aims to enhance surgical skills, encourage leadership and research development, promote international collaboration, and provide opportunities for networking and mentorship within a supportive, gender-balanced environment.

Eligibility & Application Process

The ESTS WGTS Academy welcomes applications from early-career female general thoracic surgeons who are ESTS members and are either in their final year of specialist training or have completed their training within the previous five years.

Applicants should have a primary clinical focus on general thoracic surgery, adequate English proficiency, and the support of their home institution to participate in the programme and apply the knowledge acquired.

Applications generally require a personal statement, curriculum vitae, and a letter of recommendation from the department chair, together with confirmation of availability for the Academy activities.

Candidates are selected by the ESTS WGTS Committee and Learning Affairs Committee, based on their qualifications, motivation, institutional support and potential for professional development.

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Academy Mentors

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Fellows & Alumni

Previous WGTS Academy Fellows are listed below by year.

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Academy Gallery

Academy photographs will be added here.

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Testimonials & Success Stories

Participant testimonials and success stories will be added here.