STSA Resident Scholar Profile: Mansi Shah, MD

January 5, 2016 | By More

The STSA Resident Scholarship was established in 2014 to sponsor a general or thoracic surgery resident to travel to the STSA Annual Meeting. Mansi Shah, MD received the 2015 STSA Resident Scholarship and attended the STSA 62nd Annual Meeting – held November 4-7, 2015 in Lake Buena Vista, FL – where she was mentored by STSA Brooks Scholarship Committee Member, Stephen Yang, MD.

Dr. Shah is a general surgery resident at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill. STSA Member and University of North Carolina Hospitals’ Thoracic Surgery Residency Program Director, Benjamin Haithcock, MD, nominated Dr. Shah for the 2015 Resident Scholarship, describing her as a “phenomenal candidate.”

While attending the STSA 62nd Annual Meeting as a Resident Scholar, Dr. Shah also served as a Resident Moderator; she assisted STSA President, Andrea J. Carpenter, MD and STSA Past President, Richard Prager, MD in moderating the final plenary session of the meeting.

2015 Resident Scholar, Mansi Shah, MD

2015 STSA Resident Scholar, Mansi Shah, MD (center) moderated a plenary session with A.J. Carpenter, MD and Rich Prager, MD during the STSA 62nd Annual Meeting in Lake Buena Vista, FL on November 7, 2015.

STSA recently solicited Dr. Shah’s feedback about her experience at the STSA 62nd Annual Meeting.

What did you enjoy most about the STSA 62nd Annual Meeting and/or STSA Scholarship Program?
I thought being set up with a mentor was the greatest benefit of the meeting. Dr. Yang was a fantastic resource, and was able to introduce me to other meeting attendees. It really made me feel like a true member of the meeting. The opportunity to co-moderate a session at the meeting also was fantastic. I was able to meet more practicing CT surgeons and it provided a unique way for me to be an active member of the meeting.

Did the STSA Scholarship Program affect your level of interest in pursuing cardiothoracic surgery?
I have been undecided for a long time on a career in thoracic surgery, although interested. The meeting provided absolute confirmation that I am making the right decision.

If you were encouraged by an STSA member to apply for the Resident Scholarship, please describe how that encouragement affected your decision to apply.
I was unaware of the scholarship opportunity until I was encouraged by an STSA member to apply. Without the encouragement, I wouldn’t have even been aware of this fantastic opportunity, so I feel very fortunate.

Was there anything about the STSA Annual Meeting that surprised you or that stands out as different from your experiences at other national medical meetings?
I was pleasantly surprised as to how welcoming the members were. I think the smaller scale of this meeting compared to other national medical meetings made me feel more like an active participant of the meeting, as opposed to an observing outsider, while still exposing me to many leaders of the CT surgery field.

Have you included your Resident Scholarship award on your CV, and if so, do you believe the designation adds value to your resume?
Absolutely! Undeniably so.

What was your overall impression of the STSA Scholarship Program?
I cannot say enough great things about the STSA Scholarship Program. I am so honored to have been chosen as a recipient. Everyone involved in the process was extremely helpful and welcoming. The mentorship was one of the best parts, and absolutely should be continued. I think the Scholarship Program is a great way to expose residents interested in CT surgery to the CT surgery field outside of the clinical hospital setting. I can’t thank everyone enough for the wonderful experience I had!

STSA is pleased to announce that funding has been secured for two Resident Scholars to attend the STSA 63rd Annual Meeting, November 9-12, 2016 in Naples, FL. Learn more about STSA Scholarship Programs at www.stsa.org/awards. The 2016 Resident and Brooks Scholarship applications will be available in May 2016. Contact STSA Headquarters with questions or to request additional information by e-mailing stsa@stsa.org or calling 312.202.5892.

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Category: Annual Meeting, STSA Scholarship