Ann Dixon, MD (right), chair of the ATS Membership Committee, presented the Elizabeth A. Rich, MD, Award to Suzanne Lareau, RN, MS, of the University of Colorado College of Nursing, Aurora, during Monday’s Women’s Forum.

The landmark discovery of Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency came 50 years ago, and the ATS will pay tribute to that discovery during a Wednesday symposium, “Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: The Next 50 Years.”

Q: Your agenda for the coming year will focus on health equality. Can you briefly describe this concept and how the Society might address it?
A: I would describe my leadership style as collegial and collaborative. As such, I would like to call on the members for input in tac-kling the very broad issue of health equality, to which I feel passionately and personally connected.

Clinicians looking to take part in the process of discovery and development of new drugs and devices will have many opportunities during ATS 2013 to connect with industry exhibitors to learn more about the latest clinical trial recruitment and research.

On Saturday, attendees gathered for the ATS 2013 Opening Ceremony, which paid homage to host city Philadelphia—the birthplace of American medicine—and recounted the Society’s illustrious history. ATS leaders also shared their vision for the future of the Society.

With more than 400 sessions, 800 speakers, and 5,300 original research abstracts and case reports being presented and the educational offerings for clinicians and scientists greater than ever before, the ATS 2013 International Conference offers unprecedented access to brilliant minds and discoveries in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.

ATS luminaries Gerard “Gerry” M. Turino, MD, and Jonathan M. Samet, MD, MS, will join ATS leadership on stage for a special conversation about the Society and the larger respiratory community, past and present, during the ATS Plenary Session at 11:30 a.m. today in the Grand Ballroom (above Grand Hall) in the convention center. ATS President Monica Kraft, MD, and President Elect Patricia W. Finn, MD, have prepared questions for what should be a lively and collegial discussion.

More than 500 ATS 2013 attendees are taking part in the ATS Adult Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Core Curriculum Maintenance of Certification Modules and the Pediatric Core Curriculum MOC Modules.