What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.” This motto is one that A. Sonia Buist, MD, repeats daily. She is this year’s featured speaker at the ATS Women’s Forum, an annual event that recognizes the achievements and supports the advancement of women in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine and research.

Dr. Buist, professor emerita of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University, is an ATS past president and the founder of the ATS MECOR (Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Operations Research) program. She is a passionate advocate for advancing global public health policy through research, and truly embodies the ATS vision of “helping the world breathe.”

A. Sonia Buist, MD

Dr. Buist will outline lessons she has learned, personally and professionally, as she talks about her life during today’s forum. She will speak on the importance of mentorship, being involved and taking chances, and trying to find balance in work, family, and life. Her talk will be followed by a question-and-answer period.

During the Women’s Forum, the 2017 Elizabeth A. Rich, MD Award, which
honors the memory and work of Elizabeth Rich, MD, will be presented to a female ATS member. The awardee will be a woman who has made significant achievements in the practice or science of pulmonary, critical care, or sleep medicine; demonstrated leadership in her field; and has shown dedicated mentorship of junior colleagues. The award recipient will also address the audience.

The forum provides a valuable opportunity for women to meet new colleagues and ATS leaders. Men are also welcome to attend the forum. Attendees will find value in the inspirational messages and career insights the speakers share as well as vibrant networking opportunities.

The forum is organized and presented by the ATS Membership Committee, and will be hosted by Janet Lee, MD, chair of the committee.

Registration is required. There is no fee to attend this event and tickets will not be issued; however, conference badges are required for admission. A plated lunch will be served.