ACS Alley-Sheridan Scholarship

About The Award

In 1955 David Sheridan developed the bubble principle that revolutionized how catheters, cannulae and tubes are used in operative procedures and patient care. While the bubble principle was one of Mr. Sheridan’s most significant inventions, it was not his only one. In fact, he held or shared more than 50 patents for innovations that greatly improved medical care throughout his lifetime.

Fortunately, Mr. Sheridan collaborated with others throughout his life. Dr. Ralph D. Alley, former head of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Albany Medical Center, was one of them. Moved by his collaborator and friend’s commitment to thoracic surgery, Dave Sheridan donated $1 million to The Thoracic Surgery Foundation to establish the Alley-Sheridan Fund. Over the past 25 years, this fund has supported hundreds of thoracic surgeons through scholarships to the leadership training programs at the Kennedy School, Brandeis University, the American College of Surgeons. New in 2025, the Alley-Sheridan Scholarship will provide scholarships for cardiothoracic surgeons to attend the STS Leadership Institute.

Purpose

Ralph Alley, MD was a Founding Member of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and served as STS President from 1975-1976. David Sheridan was an inventor and close friend of Dr. Alley who held more than 50 patents for innovations that have improved health care. Moved by his friend’s commitment to thoracic surgery, Mr. Sheridan created the Alley-Sheridan Fund, which has provides scholarships for early career and mid-career cardiothoracic surgeons to attend the STS Leadership Institute.

Award Amount

TSF will provide scholarships valued at $3,000. The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) Alley-Sheridan Scholarship will cover the $650 registration cost and provide a stipend to defray travel costs to the in-person events of the Leadership Institute.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• To apply for an Alley-Sheridan Scholarship to participate in STS Leadership Institute 2025-26, 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, and must be within their first 15 years of practice.