Michael J. Davidson Structural Heart Fellowship Award Grant

Michael J. Davidson Structural Heart Fellowship Award Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Thoracic Surgery Foundation
Amount: Up to US $17,500
Last Updated: March 15, 2026

Summary

The Michael J. Davidson Structural Heart Fellowship Award supports cardiothoracic surgeons and trainees in mastering transcatheter valve techniques and open valve surgery. This prestigious fellowship honors Dr. Davidson's legacy, offering up to $17,500 for a six-month or full one-year term. Successful applicants will demonstrate excellence in training, secure a host institution, and engage in innovative cardiovascular care. This program aims to cultivate future leaders in minimally invasive heart procedures.

Overview

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) are proud to announce the creation of the Michael J. Davidson Structural Heart Fellowship. Dr. Davidson was tragically murdered in 2015 while at work and doing what he loved. Davidson graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 1996 and completed residencies at Duke University Medical Center and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Following completion of his cardiac surgery training, he completed an additional year of training divided between the cardiac catheterization lab and the operating theater, mastering sophisticated catheter skills and building a bridge to the hybrid future which he envisioned and helped to create. Dr. Davidson joined the faculty at Brigham and Women’s as an Associate Surgeon where, along with his colleagues in interventional cardiology, he established the TAVR program. Dr. Davidson also served as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School. The successful fellowship applicant will aspire to be like Dr. Davidson – a visionary who saw the future and prepared himself to not only participate in, but to lead that future of interdisciplinary, integrated “heart teams’, providing novel, improved, and less invasive solutions for complex heart patients. Purpose The Michael J. Davidson Structural Heart Fellowship offers support for cardiothoracic surgeons and trainees who are seeking to enhance their skills in both transcatheter valve techniques and open valve surgery. The fellowship will provide the awardee with direct experience utilizing novel and less invasive solutions for complex structural heart patients, for a six-month or full one-year period. This highly prestigious and sought after fellowship will be awarded to a deserving young surgeon or trainee committed to the vision of innovative and collaborative cardiovascular care that Dr. Davidson helped pioneer. The successful applicant will have a record of excellence in training and academic achievement. The award applicant will have secured an arrangement with the host institution and sponsor capable of providing an in depth structural heart experience in both open and transcatheter heart valve procedures. The host institution should have a strong program with a supportive sponsor experienced in minimally invasive surgery techniques and therapies. The applicant is responsible for choosing the host institution. For suggestions for institutions or mentors, please contact tsf@sts.org. Funding The applicant can choose a six-month or full one-year fellowship, with an award amount of up to $17,500 for either term. The first award payment will be made in July 2024 (50%) and the second and final installment (50%) will be made upon completion of a satisfactory progress report, which will be approved by the TSF Davidson Awards Committee. The grant payment will be issued to the sponsoring institution.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Cardiothoracic surgeons who are within the first seven years of completion of an ACGME-accredited cardiothoracic surgery residency (or its equivalent outside the U.S.) and who are certified or eligible for certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) or its equivalent outside of the U.S. by the grant start date.Cardiothoracic surgery residents in their last year of training at an ACGME-accredited program at the time of application.