Attendees can relax and discuss the latest news and research in several venues at ATS 2014.

Each year, about 14,000 clinicians, researchers, and medical professionals from public and private institutions, academia, and industry from around the world gather to exchange ideas at the conference. These global connections that attendees make often lead to research collaborations, jobs, grants, and journal articles—all of which contribute to the shared mission of improving health worldwide. To promote this interaction, ATS 2014 will feature forums and venues in which attendees can relax, discuss the latest news and research, and enjoy presentations from experts in their fields.

In addition to the ATS Assembly and Section Meetings, Receptions, and Dinners, and the Foundation Donor Appreciation Suite, which are covered in today’s issue, the attendees are encouraged to add the following events and centers to their itineraries.

Center for Career Development
Today­ to Tuesday
7 a.m.­ to 4:30 p.m.
Room 17 A-B (Mezzanine Level) San Diego Convention Center
Designed to meet the needs of professionals in training or transition, the center hosts a variety of workshops that will take on the themes “Industry/Private Practice Day” today, “Academic Day” on Monday, and “Survival Skills Day” on Tuesday, in addition to the collegial atmosphere. Topics cover industry, private practice, clinician educator, and investigator/researcher careers; loan repayment programs; grantsmanship and how to get a K-Grant; and writing and publishing papers.

During today’s workshops, Michael Green, MD, MBA, of Pulmonary and Critical Care Consultants, Carolinas HealthCare System, will present “Negotiating a Private Practice Contract” from 12:15 to 1 p.m. He notes that finding the right job and negotiating a contract have become increasingly complex as practice ownership and health care reimbursement rapidly change.

“The most important thing for your future happiness is to find the right job in the right practice environment,” Dr. Green says. “The goal of this presentation is to equip those evaluating j , the important features of a contract, and the pitfalls to avoid when contracting with a potential employer.”

Each day, the center will offer a light complimentary breakfast from 7 to 8 a.m. and a new happy hour with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., which will allow attendees to mingle with mentors, leaders, assembly chairs, longtime ATS members, and peers.

Science and Innovation Center
Today­ to Tuesday
7:30 a.m.­ to 4 p.m.
Lobby D (Ground Level) San Diego Convention Center
The Science and Innovation Center will return with networking and sessions by experts on a variety of topics of interest to researchers and scientists, such as metabolomics, microbiomes, integrative genomics, thoracic imaging, functional imaging of respiratory cilia, and functional genomics. The center will host a reception with complimentary beverages and hors d’oeuvres from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, which recognizes fellows or junior investigators with the Scientific Abstract Award. The recipient’s abstract will be available in the center.

“The center provides attendees an opportunity to hear discussions they might not hear elsewhere at the meeting,” says Steven White, MD, of the University of Chicago Medicine. “Our lineup of speakers focuses on practical developments in cell and molecular biology that are of interest to members. These are low-key and are meant to give you the opportunity to discuss ideas with thought leaders in detail.”

The center will offer a light complimentary breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. each day, and light refreshments will be served from noon to 1 p.m. today and Monday.

Clinicians Center
Today­ to Tuesday
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lobby D (Ground Level) San Diego Convention Center
Clinicians and interprofessionals can meet, relax, learn, and gather information and resources. The center will offer a light complimentary breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. each day. Today, the center will host a meet-and-greet reception for nurses from 10:45 a.m. to noon, and in the adjacent Learning Lab, it will present an interactive demonstration on EBUS transbronchial needle aspiration from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

On Monday, the center will present a breakfast presentation on optimizing ICD-10 documentation of pneumonia at 7:45 a.m., a meet-and-greet reception for interprofessional clinicians from noon to 1 p.m., and in the adjacent Learning Lab, it will present an interactive demonstration on ultrasound in critical care emergencies from at 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The award reception for the Outstanding Clinician Award recipient will also take place from 4 to 5 p.m.

Beginning Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees can take their Maintenance of Certification post-tests in the Learning Lab.

The Diversity and Women’s lunch forums provide thought-provoking presentations and ample opportunities to network.

Diversity Forum
Today
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Seaport Ballroom F-G (Second Floor) Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Enid Neptune, MD, associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, will speak on issues related to diversity and health equality during this forum, which is sponsored by the ATS Membership Committee and hosted by Yolanda Mageto, MD, MPH. Minority Trainee Development Scholarships will also be presented, and a free lunch will be served. Registration is required to obtain an audience count, but tickets will not be issued. Only conference badges are required for admission, and seating is first-come, first-served.

Women’s Forum
Monday
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Seaport Ballroom G-H (Second Floor) Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Kristin Riekert, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Adherence Research Center will speak during this forum, which recognizes achievements, supports the advancement of women in the field, and offers networking with other attendees and leaders. While topics will be relevant to female medical professionals, however, men are encouraged to attend.

During the forum, the 2014 Elizabeth A. Rich, MD, Award will be presented to J. Usha Raj, MD, head of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago and physician-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital University of Illinois. This award honors significant achievements and demonstrated leadership and mentorship of junior colleagues. The Women’s Forum is also sponsored by the ATS Membership Committee and hosted by Yolanda Mageto, MD, MPH.

Registration is required to obtain an audience count, but tickets will not be issued. Only conference badges are required for admission, and seating is first-come, first-served.

Relax & Recharge Lounge
Friday to Wednesday
Sail Pavilion
Catch your breath, plan your day, and recharge your mobile devices in the Relax & Recharge Lounge by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Located in the heart of the convention center, the lounge provides an ideal spot to regroup with colleagues in between sessions while taking in sweeping views of the San Diego Bay. Two charging stations provide attendees the perfect solution to low mobile device batteries. Electrical outlets provide much needed power for those with laptops or tablets.

Networking Nooks
Today
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday to Tuesday 
10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Exhibit Hall
Attendees will now have the opportunity to browse the latest iPad apps from leading publishers while connecting with colleagues in the new ATS 2014 Networking Nooks in the Exhibit Hall. In addition to comfortable seating, coffee will be served in the Networking Nooks in the mornings and afternoons, and dessert will be served during the unopposed time Exhibit Hall hours. An iPad kiosk in each Networking Nook will feature full access to the ATS Journals app, ERS Publications app, the JAMA Network Reader, NEJM iPad Edition app, and the Journal of Hospital Medicine app.