2026 SCA HEPAC Rising Star Scholarship Program
Submit Your Application Today!
The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists’ Health Equity and Professional Advancement Committee (HEPAC) invites CA-1 residents are committed to promoting health equity to apply for the Rising Star Scholarship Program. This scholarship empowers residents to become leaders who address health disparities and serve communities in greatest need by providing early exposure to cardiovascular anesthesiology through attendance at the SCA Annual Meeting, poster presentation, and engagement with SCA members and leaders. Our selection process is designed to be fair and comprehensive, evaluating each candidate’s accomplishments, leadership abilities, and commitment to our mission. We seek applicants with a demonstrated commitment to serving underserved communities.
Applications will be accepted through January 25, 2026. To submit an application, click HERE!
The goals of this scholarship are:
- To expose CA-1 residents with a demonstrated commitment to serving underserved communities to the clinical practice of cardiothoracic anesthesiology by attending the SCA annual meeting.
- To give resident scholars early involvement in the SCA through interactions with and mentorship by leaders of the sub-specialty and other cardiothoracic anesthesiologists.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Ten scholarships will be awarded in 2026!
Requirements
- Nomination of CA-1 resident by the program director or cardiothoracic faculty.
- The nominee must be an academically promising CA1 resident in good standing in an ACGME-accredited residency program.
- Our program is built on the principle that diverse perspectives and life experiences are essential for advancing our field and improving patient care.
- Each nominee must submit an essay addressing the following (maximum 500 words):
- Diverse perspectives and life experiences of the nominee
- Nominee’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities in advancing health equity and fostering inclusive leadership and career development within cardiovascular medicine
- Nominee’s interest in cardiovascular anesthesia
- A letter of support from the program director and one additional letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
- The CV of the nominee.
- Recipients must be members of the SCA, or agree to become one, to accept the scholarship. Non-members will receive a complimentary, one-year resident/fellow membership to meet this requirement.
FUNDING
$1,000 travel stipend; complimentary basic registration to the 2026 SCA Annual Meeting.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Scholarship applications will be reviewed and selected by the Scholarship Review & Selection Sub-Group of the HEPA Committee at the SCA. Up to 10 scholarships will be awarded yearly.
Questions? Please write to us at hepac@scahq.org
Application will be accepted through January 18, 2026. To submit your application, click HERE.