ATS President Visits Iran

In October, ATS President Nick Hill, MD (pictured above left), visited Tehran, Iran, to attend the 5th Semi-Annual International Congress on Pulmonary Diseases, Intensive Care and Tuberculosis. While there, Dr. Hill toured the National Research Institute on Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), where he saw some of the state-of-the-art research being performed on XDR-TB and met with institute’s director, Dr. Reza Masjedi, who completed some of his training in Boston.

Dr. Hill also signed a memorandum of understanding with Dr. Ali Velayati (pictured right), as a first step toward increasing cooperation between the ATS and the NRITLD. The two organizations will exchange clinicians and scientists, collaborate at future meetings and explore the possibility of sponsoring joint publications.

Dr. Velayati is an Iranian pediatrician and renowned author who writes about the meaning of Islam in Iran today. He formerly served as Foreign Minister of Iran between 1981 and 1997 and remains a high-ranking national advisor.

“I left with a high opinion of the Iranian physicians who, despite difficulties in acquiring medications and other resources, have created an excellent educational infrastructure and are very enthusiastic about getting more involved in research,” said Dr. Hill.