2026 Nominating Slate
2026 Nominating Slate
The SCA Nominating Committee, chaired by Immediate Past President Dr. Kathy Glas, MD, is pleased to endorse the following candidates for the 2026 election cycle. Information about each candidate will be available in the February newsletter and through the online election system.
Two positions are available for Director-at-Large, among the following nominees:
- Andra Duncan MD, MS, – Cleveland Clinic
- Regina (Gina) Linganna, MD – University of Pennsylvania
- Alessia Pedoto, MD, FASA – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weil Cornell Medicine
- Jochen Steppan, MD, DESA, D. ABA, FAHA, FASA – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
One position is available for the Early Career Director, among the following nominees:
- Serena Dasani, MD, MBA – UT Health Houston
- Hesham Ezz, MD – Dartmouth Health Medical Center
- Sergey Karamnov, MD – University of Massachusetts Chan Medical Center
- Aibek Mirrakhimov, MD – University of Kentucky
- Samhati Mondal, MBBS, MD, MS, FASE – University of Maryland School of Medicine
- Gabriela Querejeta Roca, MD – Brigham & Women’s Hospital
- Patrick Upchurch, MD – University of Utah School of Medicine
The 2026 online election for SCA leadership is scheduled to open on January 27, 2026.
2026 SCA Research Grants | Apply Now!
2026 SCA Research Grants
Apply Now!
SCA supports cardiothoracic and vascular research projects. This is the basis for the creation of the SCA Starter Grant, Joyce Wahr Starter Grant, Marianne and Michael Cahalan Endowmed Research Award, and the In-Training Grant.
Grants Information
- Four types of grants will be awarded in 2026:
- Marianne and Michael Cahalan Endowmed Research Award – up to $75,000 per year for two
- SCA Starter Grant – up to $37,500 per year for two years.
- SCA Joyce Wahr Starter Grant – up to $37,500 per year for two years.
- SCA In-Training Grant – $15,000 for one year.
Please Note: The Starter Grant and the Joyce Wahr Starter Grant request the same application information and formatting. At the time of application, the PI should identify if they are eligible for, and wish to be considered for, both the Joyce Wahr Starter Grant and the Starter Grant, or for one or the other only.
The awards will be announced prior to the 2026 SCA Annual Meeting & Workshops in Nashville, TN. The grant period of 24 months can begin any time from July 1 to December 31 of the year granted. Grant recipients are required to present their work at a subsequent SCA Annual Meeting.
Applications will close on February 9, 2026.
CLICK HERE TO START YOUR RESEARCH APPLICATION
Click Here for the 2026 SCA Research Grants requirements and instructions.
Click Here for the Research Grants Checklist (Please submit with your application).
Click Here for the Research Grants Title Page (Please submit with your application).
Critical Care Medicine Message
Dear SCA Members,
The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) is excited to introduce a new Special Interest Group (SIG) in Critical Care Medicine.
Critical care is a vital component of the cardiac surgical journey. By establishing this group, the SCA continues to advance its mission to “transform perioperative cardiovascular and thoracic care through education, research, and global collaboration.”
Purpose of the Critical Care SIG
Anesthesiologists represent a significant portion of critical care physicians caring for cardiothoracic and vascular patients. The Critical Care SIG will:
- Provide a professional “home” for intensivists specializing in cardiothoracic critical care.
- Strengthen collaboration and community among SCA members across the entire perioperative course.
- Create an environment for shared learning in the management of mechanical circulatory assist devices (MCS)
- Encourage cardiothoracic intensivists—including those not formally trained in cardiac anesthesiology—to engage with and join the SCA.
Join Us
If you are interested in becoming part of the Critical Care Special Interest Group, please click the link below. You will be added to the roster and included in all future communications from the group.
Member Spotlight
Agnieszka Trzcinka, MD
Tufts Medical Center
Director, Cardiovascular Center Procedural Anesthesia
| Q & A | |
|---|---|
| Q | Where is your current place of practice? |
| A | I currently work at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. |
| Q | What do you like most about being a member of the SCA? |
| A | I am grateful for the opportunities through the SCA to further our amazing specialty. Working within the Scientific Program Committee has led to new conference content for our diverse membership. While collaborating with amazing colleagues within WICTA (Women in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia) special interest group, we created new webinar content designed specifically for our fellows to successfully navigate professional challenges within academic and private practice. Being part of the SCA offers tremendous opportunity for this productive collaboration. |
| Q | What do you most look forward to at the SCA Annual Meetings? |
| A | I feel inspired by colleagues and friends I meet during the SCA meetings. Our profession is very demanding of our time and energy. Drawing from experience and camaraderie of other SCA members inspires professional and personal development. |
| Q | Name one member of the SCA who has been an impactful mentor to you and why. |
| A | Dr. Stan Shernan has been a mentor since my training days at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I continue to be inspired by his unwavering commitment to professional excellence while maintaining a perspective of gratitude for support of family and friends. |