More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the 2010 American Thoracic Society’s International Conference in New Orleans. In addition to six days of outstanding programming in the latest basic, clinical and translational science in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine, attendees also will have numerous opportunities to network, meet new colleagues and reunite with old friends. Below are three annual ATS networking events that continue to grow in popularity.
Fellow and Junior Professional Exchange: Saturday, May 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
This networking event is organized each year specifically for fellows in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine, internal medicine and pediatric residents and other trainees transitioning into professional careers. The exchange offers attendees an informal, resource-filled event where they can network with peers in a relaxed atmosphere. ATS leaders, program directors, members of the organizing committees, national public health leaders and decision makers look forward to meeting and greeting future clinicians, researchers and educators. To enhance networking and social opportunities, this year’s exchange is conveniently scheduled immediately following the Opening Ceremony, which will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and will take place before the ATS Foundation Research Dinner, which begins at 7 p.m. Attendees also can pick up copies of a Road Map at the exchange that will help those at the beginning of their careers to navigate this year’s program. The exchange was jointly developed by the ATS Membership Committee, the Training Committee and the Committee for Members in Transition and Training.
Diversity Forum: Sunday, May 16, noon to 1:30 p.m., Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The annual Diversity Forum focuses on diversity within the fields of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine and highlights the career advancement of minorities groups. This year, the forum will focus on the importance of increasing diversity within the research, academic and clinical realms to meet the needs of different patient populations. The 2010 ATS Minority Trainee Travel Awards (MTTAs) will also be presented to junior researchers who co-authored abstracts accepted for presentation at the International Conference and who self-identify as an underrepresented minority as defined by the National Institutes of Health. Each MTTA award recipient will receive a grant that includes one year’s Trainee ATS Membership and a check for $1,425 to defray travel costs to the International Conference. All past MTTA recipients are invited to attend the forum to share their experience with the program and how it validated or changed their career paths.
Chadi A. Hage, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Indianapolis, will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. Dr. Hage is a member of the Membership Committee, which developed programming for this event.
The Diversity Forum and the MTTA program are supported by educational grants from Merck.
Women’s Forum: Monday, May 17, noon to 1:30 p.m. Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The annual Women’s Forum provides a venue to recognize the advancement of women in the fields of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine from the research arena to translational science to clinical care.
This year, the forum will feature a special presentation from Janet L. Larson Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, professor of nursing and the director of the Division of Acute, Critical and Long Term Care Programs at the University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor. A longtime ATS member, Dr. Larson is a nationally recognized leader in respiratory nursing and an expert in utilizing pulmonary rehabilitation as a therapy for COPD. She will discuss her professional and personal journey to becoming a prominent leader in her field.
The forum will also feature the presentation of the 2010 Elizabeth A. Rich, M.D., Award to past ATS president Sharon I.S. Rounds, M.D., professor of medicine, pathology and laboratory medicine at Brown Medical School and chief of pulmonary/critical care medicine at the Providence VA School of Medicine in Rhode Island. As a former chair of the Membership Committee, Dr. Rounds assisted with the development of the Elizabeth A. Rich, M.D., Award, which is presented each year in honor of the late Dr. Rich to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in her field, has made major advances in pulmonary, critical care or sleep medicine and has been a mentor to those who are new to the profession. Anne E. Dixon, M.D., director of clinical research at the Vermont Lung Center and chair of the ATS Membership Committee—which sponsors the event—will serve as this year’s moderator.
The Women’s Forum is supported by an educational grant from Merck.
Please keep in mind that for both of these events, conference badges are required for admission. Space is limited and admittance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no additional fee. A plated lunch and refreshments will be served.