Three physicians were recognized Saturday during the Opening Ceremony for their contributions to pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. In addition, a Presidential Award was presented.
Public Service Award
Michelle Cloutier, MD
Michelle Cloutier, MD, emeritus professor at the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine at UConn Health in Connecticut, received the Public Service Award. She is founding director of the Asthma Center at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and developed the Easy Breathing asthma management program for primary care physicians.
The award honors contributions to public health related to improvement of indoor and outdoor air quality, eradication of tobacco usage, prevention of lung disease, improved management of communicable respiratory diseases or improvement in the ethical delivery, and access to health care in areas related to lung diseases, sleep disorders, or critical care.
World Lung Health Award
Surendra K. Sharma, MD, PhD
Surendra K. Sharma, MD, PhD, head of the Department of Internal Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, received the World Lung Health Award. He is a leader in the development of sleep apnea and tuberculosis treatment guidelines for India and tuberculosis guidelines for the World Health Organization.
The award recognizes contributions to improving world lung health in the area of translational or implementation research, delivery of health care, continuing education or care of patients with lung disease, or related political advocacy with a special emphasis on efforts that have the potential to eliminate gender, racial, ethnic, or economic health disparities worldwide.
Jo Rae Wright Award for Outstanding Service
Hallie Prescott, MD, MSc
Hallie Prescott, MD, MSc, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan and a staff physician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, received the Jo Rae Wright Award for Outstanding Service. Her research work has focused on sepsis survivorship. Dr. Wright was the first PhD scientist to head the ATS, an outstanding researcher, and an extraordinary educator.
The award is given in her memory and recognizes a rising generation of individuals who have the potential to be scientific leaders.
Presidential Award
Dan Costa, ScD
A Presidential Award was presented to Dan Costa, ScD, and his colleagues at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air, Climate, and Energy Research Program in recognition of career-long achievements.
Dr. Costa has played an essential role coordinating EPA’s science policy with the scientific expertise of the ATS and the research community at large. The EPA research program that he leads has supported seminal research that has furthered the understanding of the links between air pollution and health. The science supported by Dr. Costa’s program, combined with EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act, has led to vast improvements in our nation’s air quality.
More recently, his program has supported research on the health effects of climate change and the potential health co-benefits of taking immediate action on climate change.