David Gozal, MD, MBA

As a long-time ATS member, and particularly in my capacity as a career mentor, I can appreciate the wealth of opportunities for professionals in the earliest stages of their careers. However, I have also learned that such opportunities are unsurpassed anywhere else when compared to the ATS through its activities year round, and more particularly during the International Conference.  The following President’s Message highlights some of these opportunities, but is by no means exhaustive.

Early Career Opportunities at ATS 2017 DC

The ATS International Conference is the world’s largest gathering of respiratory, critical care, and sleep professionals. Numerous ATS Awards are available that provide scholarship support to students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty. Applications for the International Trainee Scholarships, in fact, are still open. Trainees from outside the U.S. and Canada have the ability to present research and network with other scientists, trainees, and ATS members at the conference. The deadline to apply for ATS 2017 is March 24. So, do not procrastinate, and submit your application as soon as possible.

In addition, a number of conference sessions, networking opportunities, and resources have been developed to foster career development among early career professionals. These options can be found in the Road Map for Early Career Professionals, which is being updated on iTunes for ATS 2017.

Professionals can connect and engage at the Networking Exchange for Early Career Professionals, as well as our networking hubs, including the Centers for: Career Development, Science and Innovation, and Clinicians.

Our 3rd Annual BEAR Cage competition promotes discussion, innovation, and the creation of new research ideas in a fun, forum setting. Research proposals are presented before a juried panel of industry experts, with a chance for early career investigators to win a grand prize of $5,000 and two runner-up prizes of $2,500 each. As the landscape of research careers expands and research entrepreneurship is now mainstream, the BEAR Cage is an extraordinarily useful forum for learning and consultation.

Early Career Member Benefits

Early career and trainee members of the ATS have several benefits specifically designed for them.

Abroad, our Global Scholars Program helps address the shortage of advanced training programs in respiratory, critical care, and sleep medicine in middle- and low- income countries. Junior professionals can participate in a series of webinars with pre- and post-tests, and work to earn a certificate of completion. Global Scholars in-field sites include: Colombia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The program was initiated by Immediate Past President Atul Malhotra, MD, and is expanding rapidly to ever more countries. Become a leader in your own country or community, and organize a GSP activity!

All early career members are eligible to apply for career mentorship through their Assemblies. Mentoring goals and expectations are set individually by participating Assemblies.

The Assembly Journal Clubs are dedicated to fellows and trainees and allow them to take an active role in participating and leading a session. Each Webinar features an interactive discussion between article authors and other renowned experts. Early career members can check with their institutions to receive academic credit for this activity.

Lastly, this year we are initiating the Emerging Leadership Program (ELP). The goal of the ELP is to cultivate a pipeline of leaders within pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine who can serve the global community, their own institutions, and the American Thoracic Society. The program consists of five full-day sessions, the first of which will be held at the ATS International Conference in Washington, DC in May, 2017, followed by three virtual full-day sessions and a closing live session at the ATS headquarters in New York. The program was designed based on a longstanding successful program at the Cleveland Clinic titled Leading in Health Care.

We look forward to welcoming early career professionals, whether this year in Washington, at a future ATS International Conference, or as a new member of the Society!

Remember, we are here for YOU!!!

Learn more about ATS career development opportunities.