The ATS International Conference is where science, research, and clinical care intersect, bringing together health care professionals from all around the world to engage over the latest advancements in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.

Approximately 40 percent of attendees will travel to Philadelphia from laboratories and patient care centers located in nearly 100 countries beyond the United States, and more than 2,000 abstracts will be presented by international researchers.

“The ATS congress is a great platform to share ideas, network with colleagues, generate new research ideas, and identify unmet needs,” said Refiloe Masekela, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine. “As an international attendee, meeting up with the MECOR group from across the globe and sharing best practices is always a breath of fresh air.”

Special Opportunities
The ATS International Conference serves as a springboard for collaboration with international members and groups focused on global priorities. At ATS 2020, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and engage with international experts, attend meetings with special interest groups, such as the Africa, Asia and Global Health interest groups, and attend sessions focused on issues and efforts impacting global health, such as, “Building Global Advocacy to Advance Global Lung Health” (C10) and “2020 Vision of TB” (B9).

Attendees also will also have the opportunity to hear research presentations from graduates of MECOR, the ATS’s international Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research program. More than 50 international attendees from 27 different countries will travel to ATS 2020 on an International Trainee Scholarship/MECOR Award to present their research during the International Scholars Poster Colloquium on Saturday, May 16.

In the midst of all these wonderful learning and networking opportunities is the ATS 2020 International Participants Center. This is a spot for international attendees to gather and enjoy complimentary refreshments while connecting with colleagues, learn more about the ATS’s global mission, or simply relax between sessions. In the IPC, you can also hear scheduled presentations on topics including global efforts to stop tuberculosis, climate change and the Australian experience, air pollution in the Asia Pacific region, and much more!

Dr. Masekela added, “The International Participant Center is one such place where one can reflect on clinical practice, training and possible areas of collaboration with groups from other countries.”