Annual Meeting Opportunities
Resident Poster Competition
Exhibit Hall
Now in its 12th year, the competition offers senior cardiothoracic surgery residents and/or congenital heart surgery fellows from around the world the chance to present a poster of their clinical or laboratory research in a competitive setting.
Lillehei Resident Forum
Sunday, May 3 | 12:00PM - 1:30PM
Room E353C
Support North American resident’s presenting their abstracts concerning basic and translational research as well as comparative effectiveness and related research in a competitive setting.
AATS/TSRA Preparing for an Academic Career Luncheon
Monday, May 4 | 12:00PM - 1:30PM
Room E450B
Learn from AATS and TSRA leadership on what to expect and how to prepare for your first academic appointment and beginning your career as a surgeon scientist.
Resident Case Report Competition
Provides an opportunity for residents to present an original case study on an interesting/unusual case by identifying the issues faced and the means used to resolve those issues.
Member for a Day Session
Sunday, May 3 | 3:30PM - 5:30PM
Room E450B
Medical Student and Residents get to hear from AATS leaders on what motivates them to continue to strive for excellence, why they love cardiothoracic surgery, and the importance of practicing in an academic setting.
Future Leaders Lounge
Located in the exhibit hall, the future leaders lounge offers a space for residents and medical students to gather and relax during the duration of the Annual Meeting. Meet your Mentors sessions will take place here and AATS members and leaders will be in an out to meet with the next generation of leaders in the specialty.
Supported by Cleveland Clinic
Meet with Mentors
Future Leaders Lounge, Exhibit Hall
Saturday, May 2 | 1:00PM - 1:20PM (Room E253A)
Sunday, May 3 | 12:30PM - 12:50PM
Sunday, May 3 | 3:40PM - 4:00PM
Monday, May 4 | 1:00PM - 1:20PM
Monday, May 4 | 3:35PM - 3:55PM
During the coffee breaks, trainees can sign up to meet 1:1 with AATS Members for 20 minutes where they can ask questions about the next steps in their careers, how to prepare for interviews, or anything they would like to know.
For assistance, please contact cgarrison@aats.org
Supported by Cleveland Clinic
5th Annual TSMA Medical Student Research Competition
Sunday, May 2, | 9:00AM
Exhibit Hall, Theatre 2
The TSMA Medical Student Research Competition is an exciting opportunity for medical students to showcase their research and engage with leaders in cardiothoracic surgery. The competition will be held online on February 28 from 2:00PM-4:00PM EST. Selected abstracts will be presented during this virtual session, and the top three finalists will win the Ibrahim Sultan Medical Student Research Prize in CT Surgery and be invited to present their work live at the AATS 106th Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 2, at 9:00AM in Theatre 2 of the Exhibit Hall.
TSMA/TSRA CT Surgery Skills Lab for Trainees
Sunday, May 3, 2026 | 12:00PM-1:30PM
Exhibit Hall, Booth #632
This session will provide medical students and early trainees with structured, hands-on exposure to core cardiothoracic surgical skills in an approachable, mentorship-focused environment.