| Past Recipients |
Purpose
The SSAT established this Fellowship to provide an opportunity to promote interaction among surgeons working in developing countries and members of the SSAT as well as to provide learning opportunities that surgeons in developing countries might not have otherwise. Two surgeons working in low income or developing countries will each be awarded a Traveling Fellowship so s/he can attend DDW and also visit one or two institutions in the United States or Canada, hosted by an SSAT member over a two-week period.
Conditions of Fellowship
Each successful applicant will work with his/her SSAT Sponsor and make arrangements to visit 1-2 institutions in the United States or Canada. At the completion of the fellowship, the Traveler will be asked to complete a report and submit it to the SSAT within 2 months of completion of the trip.
Traveling Fellowship for Surgeons in Developing Nations Stipend
The successful recipients will each receive a stipend of up to $8000 USD to support reasonable costs for travel, lodging, and meals. Funds will be used to travel to Digestive Disease Week plus visit one or two institutions where s/he will be hosted by an SSAT member; in addition, the Society will pay for the Traveler’s registration at DDW. Additional support for family members will not be provided. Traveling Fellows must submit a complete itinerary to receive funds prior to travel. Following completion of the fellowship, the Traveling Fellow must provide a summary of expenses including original receipts.
The Traveling Fellows will receive complimentary membership in the SSAT for five years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to all practicing Alimentary Tract surgeons in low income or developing countries.
- Priority will be given to surgeons where there is deemed to be a need in the local environment and the Fellowship will be beneficial to the Traveler and his/her local hospital where he/she practices.
- Each recipient must attend the SSAT Giving Back committee meeting held at DDW.
- At the conclusion of the Traveling Fellowship, the Traveler will submit a brief written report to the society which will include a description of the experience, as well as observations, and highlights. The recipient will also provide a written report one year from the conclusion of the Fellowship on how the experience has affected his/her practice.
Fellowship Application Process
To be eligible for consideration, the following materials must be submitted to the Society’s Administrative Offices via the online application no later than January 6, 2019:
- Completed application that indicates the area of study in which the Traveling Fellow is interested and if s/he requires assistance in choosing institutions to visit.
- Copy of his/her curriculum vitae.
- Letter from Chair/Superior at his/her own hospital/university.
- Letter from Applicant indicating what he/she would like to learn and how he/she will apply it at his/her own hospital.
Please note that the SSAT Traveling Fellowship for Surgeons in Developing Nations is not being offered in the 2021 Awards Cycle. However, you may be interested in applying for the SSAT Traveling Fellowship for Surgeons in Central and South America.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact the SSAT office at (978) 927-8330 or Email SSAT.
