ATS Research Program: COVID-19 Related Grants!

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting black and brown communities at a disproportionate rate, exacerbating existing health disparities.

Apply now for the ATS/CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Diversity. The grant is not specific to COVID-19, but it may be of interest to researchers interested in addressing the pandemic’s health effects in communities of underrepresented minorities.

Deadline: June 23, 2020.

The ATS Research Program has also announced two new unrestricted grants for assistant professors doing COVID-19 research, funded by GSK. Learn more and apply!

Deadline: June 23,2020

ATS Leadership Thanks GSK for Crisis Fund Support

On May 5, ATS President James Beck, MD, ATSF, Executive Director Karen Collishaw, MPP, and Chief of Development Michelle Turenne spoke with GSK executives Karin Rosen, MD, PhD, senior vice president of U.S. medical affairs; Thomas O’Riordan, MD, MPH, vice president of U.S. medical affairs and respiratory therapeutic area head; and Geri Harris, senior of strategy and operations, to thank them for their generous grants totaling $380,000 to support the ATS COVID-19 Crisis Fund. The funds will be used to support two new research awards in COVID-19, as well as critical outreach to at-risk communities.

“Support for the ATS Research Program is critically important,” Dr. Beck said. “As the leading society in pulmonary and critical care, it’s vital that we continue to share important and accurate information when there is so much misinformation circulating. Thank you for all you’re doing for the ATS and our patients. The funds will be well-spent.”

The ATS and GSK have been partners for many years, with a shared focus on respiratory research and innovation.

Learn more about the ATS COVID-19 Crisis Fund.

Upcoming Pediatrics Events

Journal Club
The Assembly on Pediatrics (PEDS) will host a new Journal Club, discussing “COVID-19 Treatments, Testing, and Vaccines – Information for Pediatricians.”
When: 1 p.m. ET, May 14, 2020
Where: Online. Register now.

The PEDS Advocacy Sub-Committee is also hosting a webinar, “Talking to Parents about Tobacco Dependence: Important Skills for the Pediatric Health Care Provider”

When: 2:30 p.m. ET,June 10, 2020
Where: Online. Register now.

Upcoming Membership Meetings:

Assembly on Pediatrics Membership Meeting

When: 4:45 p.m. ET,  May 18, 2020
Where: Online. Register now.

Assembly on Nursing Membership Meeting

When: 6 p.m. ET, May 18, 2020
Where: Online. Register now.

Assembly on Pulmonary Rehabilitation Membership Meeting

When: 4 p.m. ET, May 19, 2020
Where: Online. Register now.

Reminder! ATS 2020 Plenary Session/Membership Meeting

Please join us for a virtual ATS 2020 Plenary Session/Membership Meeting. The meeting will feature portions of the annual ATS International Conference opening session, including:

• Presidential Address: James M. Beck, MD, ATSF
• Installation of New Officers, May 2020 - May 2021
• Remarks from Newly Installed President: Juan C. Celedón, MD, DrPH, ATSF

When: 12– 1p.m. ET, May 19, 2020
Where: Online. Register now. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

LABA/LAMA Combination Therapy More Effective for COPD Patients with Exercise Intolerance

Clinicians grappling with the pharmacologic management of COPD in patients complaining of exercise intolerance or dyspnea now have new guidance. The American Thoracic Society has published an official clinical practice guideline in which a panel of experts strongly recommended LABA/LAMA combination therapy over LABA or LAMA alone. The complete guideline was published in the  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Pharmacologic management of COPD is focused on improving patients’ quality of life while reducing the frequency of exacerbations. In this new clinical practice guideline, an expert panel addressed six “emerging questions around COPD management that were not covered in the previous guideline published in 2011,” noted Shawn Aaron, MD, co-chair of the guideline committee and professor/senior Scientist at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and The University of Ottawa. Read more!