During Sunday’s ATS 2013 Diversity Forum, Juan C. Celedón, MD, DrPh, imparted his wisdom in a heartfelt discussion, “A Young Man’s Dream.” He described how his upbringing in Columbia and his relationships with family, friends, and colleagues helped him along his path in life.

ATS Secretary-Treasurer Atul Malhotra, MD (far right), poses with the ATS 2013 Medical Student Scholars, medical students invited to attend ATS 2013 free of charge from the Temple University School of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson University—Jefferson Medical College.

Patients are at the heart of the Society’s mission, and on Saturday about 200 patients and advocates met with prominent pulmonologists during the annual free ATS Public Advisory Roundtable forums “Meet the Expert” and “Breathing Better with the ATS” at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. Lunch and oxygen refills were provided.

Celebrate the achievements of four expert researchers during the Recognition Awards for Scientific Accomplishments from 2 to 4 p.m. today in Hall 114 (100 Level) Pennsylvania Convention Center.

On Friday and Saturday, ATS fellows listened and asked questions during 17 faculty presentations on clinical issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep disorders, including sepsis, COPD, lung cancer, asthma, and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Director Gary H. Gibbons, MD, provided an important outlook on the state of affairs at the $3 billion institution—the third largest at the National Institutes of Health—as well as his vision of collaboration with the Society during the President’s Symposium yesterday.