Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Assembly Chair
Richard ZuWallack, MD

Welcome to the website of the Assembly on Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Ours is the newest assembly of the 13 ATS Assemblies. We grew from a broad base of interested members from around the world, with different educational preparations, clinical and research interests. We initially were a section within the Nursing Assembly, then achieved full assembly status in ATS in 2008. Pulmonary Rehabilitation, as a discipline, is still in its adolescence. We have witnessed the rapid accumulation of scientific evidence supporting its use in individuals with chronic respiratory disease. Most of the initial evidence has been in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); this has led to the inclusion of pulmonary rehabilitation as a prominent treatment in international clinical practice guidelines for this disease. However, we are now seeing the accumulation of sound scientific data demonstrating its effectiveness in other respiratory diseases. The optimal treatment of individuals with chronic respiratory disease requires combining non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies. Pulmonary Rehabilitation has become a prominent component of this integrated care of chronic respiratory diseases.

We are led by the following people.

The Planning Committee chaired by Brian Carlin, MD.  This Committee is responsible for formulating the long term plans and projects for the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly.

The Program Committee chaired by Chris Garvey FNP, MSN and immediate past Program Committee Chair Francois Maltais MD.  This Committee is charged with planning offerings at the International Conference.  In addition to presentations and posters that emerge from abstract submissions, this Committee develops symposia and sessions of interests to members of our Assembly.

The Nominating Committee is TBA. This Committee is responsible for identifying the slate of officers eligible to be filled in the coming year.  Nominees will be submitted to the members at the membership meeting in May of 2010 for the office of Chair Elect of the Assembly, Program Chair-Elect and Nominating Committee members.

The Executive Committee is lead by Richard L. ZuWallack, MD. This Committee coordinates the activities of the Assembly.

We welcome new members and are eager to help members become involved in our activities.  Feel free to contact us at pulmrehab@thoracic.org  with your suggestions and requests.

Richard L. ZuWallack, MD
Assembly Chair (2011-2013)