Since its founding in 1905 the ATS mission has been to improve lung health worldwide. Today, we strive to do that by advancing research, clinical care, and public health in respiratory disease, critical illness, and sleep disorders. The Society continues to hold true to that mission. The recent US presidential election has thrown into question the future direction of many public health programs and priorities that we as a Society hold dear. These include access to affordable health care, clean air, tobacco control, and research funding.
ATS members can take comfort in the knowledge that the Society has consistently fought for public health priorities that are in the best interests of our members, the patients our members ultimately serve, and the general public. And in so doing we have built an outstanding reputation for openness and scientific objectivity while developing strong relationships in Congress and with federal agencies.
Moving forward, we will continue our tradition of bipartisanship and openness while engaging and educating public policy makers on those issues central to pursuing our larger mission. This is bedrock. This focus will not change and we continue to encourage all ATS members to become more engaged in the Society as we pursue our research and public health agenda. Please follow our efforts and accomplishments by reading our weekly newsletter Washington Letter, which you should be receiving if you have opted in to receive ATS information.
ATS is a global society and we continue to welcome everyone who is interested in improving lung health, regardless of country of origin, gender, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation, or any other defining characteristic. This applies to membership, participation in our journals, attendance at our conference and any other Society activity.
David Gozal, MD, MBA
President, American Thoracic Society
