Arthur L. Garnes Society Announces 2026 PSTM Travel Scholarship Recipients
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Six Arthur L. Garnes Society members have been selected for travel scholarships to attend Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2026 in Houston, expanding access to mentorship, networking, education, and professional development.
The Arthur L. Garnes Society has announced the six recipients of its 2026 PSTM Travel Scholarship Program, continuing the Society’s investment in creating greater access to career-building opportunities within plastic and reconstructive surgery.
This year’s scholarships provide financial assistance to help offset expenses associated with attending Plastic Surgery The Meeting (PSTM), taking place October 15–18 in Houston, Texas. Through the program, recipients gain greater access to the education, mentorship, professional networking, and community-building opportunities available at one of the specialty’s major national meetings.
Meet the 2026 Scholarship Recipients
• Chinenye Ogbonnah — UT Austin Dell Medical School, MS4
• Sofia Ghani — Howard University College of Medicine, MS3
• Karsyn Terry — Drexel University College of Medicine, MS3
• Natalia Correa, MD — University of Miami Holy Cross, PGY-4 General Surgery Resident
• Karine Matos de Albuquerque — Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, MS4
• Adebusola Olabiran, MBBS — Norwich Medical School, Research-Year Medical Student
Together, this year’s recipients represent different institutions and stages of medical and surgical training, with an opportunity to engage more deeply with the national plastic surgery community during four days of learning, professional development, and connection.
More Than a Trip to Houston
For the Arthur L. Garnes Society, travel support is about more than getting recipients to a national meeting.
Conferences such as PSTM can provide important opportunities for trainees to meet mentors, learn about emerging research and clinical practice, connect with peers and established surgeons, and develop professional relationships that extend well beyond a single event.
The PSTM Travel Scholarship Program helps reduce financial barriers to those opportunities and reflects the Society’s broader commitment to advancing mentorship, access, representation, and professional development within plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Building Community at PSTM 2026
The Arthur L. Garnes Society’s presence in Houston will extend beyond the scholarship program.
On Saturday, October 17, the Society will host its annual PSTM Networking Event, bringing together members, donors, partners, industry guests, and members of the broader plastic surgery community for an evening centered on connection and collaboration.
The Society also continues its work with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to support the Ferdinand Ofodile Diversity Lecture at PSTM, while working toward its $100,000 fundraising goal to permanently endow the lecture.
Investing in Who Comes Next
The six 2026 recipients join a growing community of Arthur L. Garnes Society members who have received support to participate in PSTM and access the professional opportunities surrounding the meeting. That investment reflects an important part of the Society’s work: helping ensure that talented trainees have opportunities not simply to attend, but to participate, connect, learn, and build relationships within the field.
As the 2026 recipients prepare for Houston, the Arthur L. Garnes Society congratulates Chinenye Ogbonnah, Sofia Ghani, Karsyn Terry, Natalia Correa, MD, Karine Matos de Albuquerque, and Adebusola Olabiran, MBBS, and looks forward to welcoming them at PSTM 2026.
