CHEST Physician

Urine for a new vaccine alternative

Yep, you read that right: Another vaccine alternative. Urine sounds disgusting, but you’ve got to admit, it’s resourceful at least.

Christopher Key, the leader of a group of antivaxxers known as the “Vaccine Police,” is now claiming that you should do “urine therapy,” when means drinking your own pee to ward off COVID-19. According to My. Key, “tons and tons of research” shows the benefits of drinking urine to fight COVID-19, the Guardian reported.

EM80/Pixabay

Vaccine or beer? You must now choose

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on toward its third year, the large subset of the population who refuse to get vaccinated has proved nearly intractable. Governments have tried numerous incentives to boost vaccination rates, ranging from free beer to million dollar lotteries. Needless to say, beyond their ability to generate LOTME stories, these incentives have been less than effective.

As the frankly unfairly contagious Omicron variant makes it way through the world, our friends in the Great White North have decided enough is enough. If the carrot doesn’t work, the people of Quebec are going to get the stick. Starting on Jan. 18, vaccination cards will be required to enter stores that sell alcohol or cannabis, better known as the things that have gotten us all through this pandemic.

John Margolies/rawpixel

And you know what? Cutting off the booze supply seems to be working. Christian Dubé, Quebec’s health minister, said that the number of vaccination appointments had quadrupled in the new year, rising from 1,500 per day to 6,000 per day, according to the CTV News report. Now, those aren’t massive numbers, but this is big empty Canada we’re talking about, and the unvaccinated make up about 10% of Quebec’s population, so 6,000 a day is quite impressive.

Mr. Dubé added that additional nonessential businesses could be added to the restriction list in the coming weeks, but we’re not sure it’ll be necessary. Those middle-aged soccer moms will do anything to secure their daily merlot. Also, alcohol and cannabis nonessential? The LOTME staff is appalled and offended at this insinuation.

All I need is the polyester that I breathe

When you do laundry, you’re probably thinking more of how to get that ketchup stain out of your white shirt than the effect it has on the environment. Well, research shows it actually has some significance.

monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images

That significance comes in the form of microfibers, which are released from natural fabrics such as cotton and from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, which are also considered to be microplastics.

The microfibers that get released in the water when we wash clothes are filtered out eventually, but the dryer is the real culprit, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. We’re talking a discharge of up to 120 million microfiber fragments directly into the air annually from just one dryer!

Dryers, they found, emitted between 1.4-40 times more microfibers than did washing machines in previous studies. And polyester fabrics produced more fragments when load sizes increased, while fragment production from cotton fabrics remained constant.

Recent findings suggest that inhaling these microfibers can cause lung inflammation, increase cancer risk, and induce asthma attacks. The authors of the current study suggested additional filtration should be done on dryer vents to reduce the amount of pollutants emitted into the air.

Who would have thought just drying your sheets could be such a dangerous act?
 

It’s always in the last place you look

At least a million times every morning in this country, a million children yell something like this as they get ready for school: “Mom, have you seen my ...?”

Well, thanks to Defector.com, now we know what Mom should yell back: “Look in your weird cousin Mortimer!”

We will explain ... again.

When they’re not dealing with COVID-19, the folks who work in emergency departments spend a lot of their time removing things that are stuck in people’s bodily orifices. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission even keeps track of them.

Nick Matthews/CC BY-SA 2.0

So if you’re looking for the number 8 button from the TV remote, or maybe a bullet, check Mortimer’s nose. Maybe you’re missing a lollipop, a hairpin, or some espresso beans. Mortimer’s friend Beulah might have put them in her ear.

Has an earbud gone missing? Another friend of Mortimer’s went to the ED with something stuck in his throat and said that he had a “pill in one hand and his earbud in the other hand, got distracted and took the earbud instead.” Yes, that is an actual quote (via Defector) from the CPSC database.

What about that old saying that someone’s lost his marbles? Well, the ED found one of Mortimer’s marbles ... in his penis. Also a spork, and a bread twist tie, and a chopstick. No, not all at the same time. As for Beulah, a barbell and a Spider-Man action figure somehow found their way – not at the same time, thank goodness – into her vagina.

And have you ever heard someone say that they’re “not going to stand for this”? Mortimer has, so he sat down ... on a light bulb, and a rolling pin, and a billiard ball. Yup, the ED had to remove these items from his rectum.

But not all at the same time, thank goodness.

Urine for a new vaccine alternative

Yep, you read that right: Another vaccine alternative. Urine sounds disgusting, but you’ve got to admit, it’s resourceful at least.

Christopher Key, the leader of a group of antivaxxers known as the “Vaccine Police,” is now claiming that you should do “urine therapy,” when means drinking your own pee to ward off COVID-19. According to My. Key, “tons and tons of research” shows the benefits of drinking urine to fight COVID-19, the Guardian reported.

EM80/Pixabay

Vaccine or beer? You must now choose

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on toward its third year, the large subset of the population who refuse to get vaccinated has proved nearly intractable. Governments have tried numerous incentives to boost vaccination rates, ranging from free beer to million dollar lotteries. Needless to say, beyond their ability to generate LOTME stories, these incentives have been less than effective.

As the frankly unfairly contagious Omicron variant makes it way through the world, our friends in the Great White North have decided enough is enough. If the carrot doesn’t work, the people of Quebec are going to get the stick. Starting on Jan. 18, vaccination cards will be required to enter stores that sell alcohol or cannabis, better known as the things that have gotten us all through this pandemic.

John Margolies/rawpixel

And you know what? Cutting off the booze supply seems to be working. Christian Dubé, Quebec’s health minister, said that the number of vaccination appointments had quadrupled in the new year, rising from 1,500 per day to 6,000 per day, according to the CTV News report. Now, those aren’t massive numbers, but this is big empty Canada we’re talking about, and the unvaccinated make up about 10% of Quebec’s population, so 6,000 a day is quite impressive.

Mr. Dubé added that additional nonessential businesses could be added to the restriction list in the coming weeks, but we’re not sure it’ll be necessary. Those middle-aged soccer moms will do anything to secure their daily merlot. Also, alcohol and cannabis nonessential? The LOTME staff is appalled and offended at this insinuation.

All I need is the polyester that I breathe

When you do laundry, you’re probably thinking more of how to get that ketchup stain out of your white shirt than the effect it has on the environment. Well, research shows it actually has some significance.

monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images

That significance comes in the form of microfibers, which are released from natural fabrics such as cotton and from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, which are also considered to be microplastics.

The microfibers that get released in the water when we wash clothes are filtered out eventually, but the dryer is the real culprit, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. We’re talking a discharge of up to 120 million microfiber fragments directly into the air annually from just one dryer!

Dryers, they found, emitted between 1.4-40 times more microfibers than did washing machines in previous studies. And polyester fabrics produced more fragments when load sizes increased, while fragment production from cotton fabrics remained constant.

Recent findings suggest that inhaling these microfibers can cause lung inflammation, increase cancer risk, and induce asthma attacks. The authors of the current study suggested additional filtration should be done on dryer vents to reduce the amount of pollutants emitted into the air.

Who would have thought just drying your sheets could be such a dangerous act?
 

It’s always in the last place you look

At least a million times every morning in this country, a million children yell something like this as they get ready for school: “Mom, have you seen my ...?”

Well, thanks to Defector.com, now we know what Mom should yell back: “Look in your weird cousin Mortimer!”

We will explain ... again.

When they’re not dealing with COVID-19, the folks who work in emergency departments spend a lot of their time removing things that are stuck in people’s bodily orifices. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission even keeps track of them.

Nick Matthews/CC BY-SA 2.0

So if you’re looking for the number 8 button from the TV remote, or maybe a bullet, check Mortimer’s nose. Maybe you’re missing a lollipop, a hairpin, or some espresso beans. Mortimer’s friend Beulah might have put them in her ear.

Has an earbud gone missing? Another friend of Mortimer’s went to the ED with something stuck in his throat and said that he had a “pill in one hand and his earbud in the other hand, got distracted and took the earbud instead.” Yes, that is an actual quote (via Defector) from the CPSC database.

What about that old saying that someone’s lost his marbles? Well, the ED found one of Mortimer’s marbles ... in his penis. Also a spork, and a bread twist tie, and a chopstick. No, not all at the same time. As for Beulah, a barbell and a Spider-Man action figure somehow found their way – not at the same time, thank goodness – into her vagina.

And have you ever heard someone say that they’re “not going to stand for this”? Mortimer has, so he sat down ... on a light bulb, and a rolling pin, and a billiard ball. Yup, the ED had to remove these items from his rectum.

But not all at the same time, thank goodness.

Urine for a new vaccine alternative

Yep, you read that right: Another vaccine alternative. Urine sounds disgusting, but you’ve got to admit, it’s resourceful at least.

Christopher Key, the leader of a group of antivaxxers known as the “Vaccine Police,” is now claiming that you should do “urine therapy,” when means drinking your own pee to ward off COVID-19. According to My. Key, “tons and tons of research” shows the benefits of drinking urine to fight COVID-19, the Guardian reported.

EM80/Pixabay

Vaccine or beer? You must now choose

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on toward its third year, the large subset of the population who refuse to get vaccinated has proved nearly intractable. Governments have tried numerous incentives to boost vaccination rates, ranging from free beer to million dollar lotteries. Needless to say, beyond their ability to generate LOTME stories, these incentives have been less than effective.

As the frankly unfairly contagious Omicron variant makes it way through the world, our friends in the Great White North have decided enough is enough. If the carrot doesn’t work, the people of Quebec are going to get the stick. Starting on Jan. 18, vaccination cards will be required to enter stores that sell alcohol or cannabis, better known as the things that have gotten us all through this pandemic.

John Margolies/rawpixel

And you know what? Cutting off the booze supply seems to be working. Christian Dubé, Quebec’s health minister, said that the number of vaccination appointments had quadrupled in the new year, rising from 1,500 per day to 6,000 per day, according to the CTV News report. Now, those aren’t massive numbers, but this is big empty Canada we’re talking about, and the unvaccinated make up about 10% of Quebec’s population, so 6,000 a day is quite impressive.

Mr. Dubé added that additional nonessential businesses could be added to the restriction list in the coming weeks, but we’re not sure it’ll be necessary. Those middle-aged soccer moms will do anything to secure their daily merlot. Also, alcohol and cannabis nonessential? The LOTME staff is appalled and offended at this insinuation.

All I need is the polyester that I breathe

When you do laundry, you’re probably thinking more of how to get that ketchup stain out of your white shirt than the effect it has on the environment. Well, research shows it actually has some significance.

monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images

That significance comes in the form of microfibers, which are released from natural fabrics such as cotton and from synthetic fabrics such as polyester, which are also considered to be microplastics.

The microfibers that get released in the water when we wash clothes are filtered out eventually, but the dryer is the real culprit, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. We’re talking a discharge of up to 120 million microfiber fragments directly into the air annually from just one dryer!

Dryers, they found, emitted between 1.4-40 times more microfibers than did washing machines in previous studies. And polyester fabrics produced more fragments when load sizes increased, while fragment production from cotton fabrics remained constant.

Recent findings suggest that inhaling these microfibers can cause lung inflammation, increase cancer risk, and induce asthma attacks. The authors of the current study suggested additional filtration should be done on dryer vents to reduce the amount of pollutants emitted into the air.

Who would have thought just drying your sheets could be such a dangerous act?
 

It’s always in the last place you look

At least a million times every morning in this country, a million children yell something like this as they get ready for school: “Mom, have you seen my ...?”

Well, thanks to Defector.com, now we know what Mom should yell back: “Look in your weird cousin Mortimer!”

We will explain ... again.

When they’re not dealing with COVID-19, the folks who work in emergency departments spend a lot of their time removing things that are stuck in people’s bodily orifices. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission even keeps track of them.

Nick Matthews/CC BY-SA 2.0

So if you’re looking for the number 8 button from the TV remote, or maybe a bullet, check Mortimer’s nose. Maybe you’re missing a lollipop, a hairpin, or some espresso beans. Mortimer’s friend Beulah might have put them in her ear.

Has an earbud gone missing? Another friend of Mortimer’s went to the ED with something stuck in his throat and said that he had a “pill in one hand and his earbud in the other hand, got distracted and took the earbud instead.” Yes, that is an actual quote (via Defector) from the CPSC database.

What about that old saying that someone’s lost his marbles? Well, the ED found one of Mortimer’s marbles ... in his penis. Also a spork, and a bread twist tie, and a chopstick. No, not all at the same time. As for Beulah, a barbell and a Spider-Man action figure somehow found their way – not at the same time, thank goodness – into her vagina.

And have you ever heard someone say that they’re “not going to stand for this”? Mortimer has, so he sat down ... on a light bulb, and a rolling pin, and a billiard ball. Yup, the ED had to remove these items from his rectum.

But not all at the same time, thank goodness.

People who build up high levels of immune cells from coronaviruses that cause the common cold could have some protection against COVID-19, according to a small study published Jan. 10 in Nature Communications.

Previous studies have shown that T cells created from other coronaviruses can recognize SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the new study, researchers at Imperial College London found that the presence of these T cells at the time of COVID-19 exposure could reduce the chance of getting infected.

The findings could provide a blueprint for a second-generation, universal vaccine to prevent infection from COVID-19 variants, including Omicron and ones that crop up later.

“Being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn’t always result in infection, and we’ve been keen to understand why,” Rhia Kundu, PhD, the lead study author from Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute, said in a statement.

People with higher levels of T cells from the common cold were less likely to become infected with COVID-19, the researchers found.

“While this is an important discovery, it is only one form of protection, and I would stress that no one should rely on this alone,” Dr. Kundu said. “Instead, the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated, including getting your booster dose.”

For the study, Dr. Kundu and colleagues analyzed blood samples from 52 people who lived with someone with confirmed COVID-19 in September 2020. Among the 26 people who didn’t contract COVID-19, there were “significantly higher levels” of preexisting T cells from common cold coronaviruses, as compared with the 26 people who did become infected.

The T cells researched in the study are considered “cross-reactive” and can recognize the proteins of SARS-CoV-2. They offer protection by targeting proteins inside the SARS-CoV-2 virus, rather than the spike proteins on the surface that allow the virus to invade cells.

The current COVID-19 vaccines target the spike proteins, which are more likely to mutate than internal proteins, the researchers wrote. The Omicron variant, for instance, has numerous mutations on spike proteins that may allow it to evade vaccines.

The data suggest that the next step of COVID-19 vaccine development could focus on internal proteins, the researchers said, which could provide lasting protection because T-cell responses persist longer than antibody responses that fade within a few months of vaccination.

“New vaccines that include these conserved, internal proteins would therefore induce broadly protective T-cell responses that should protect against current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants,” Ajit Lalvani, MD, the senior study author and director of Imperial’s respiratory infections health protection research unit, said in the statement.

But more research is needed, the authors said, noting that the study had a small sample size and lacked ethnic diversity, which puts limits on the research.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com

People who build up high levels of immune cells from coronaviruses that cause the common cold could have some protection against COVID-19, according to a small study published Jan. 10 in Nature Communications.

Previous studies have shown that T cells created from other coronaviruses can recognize SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the new study, researchers at Imperial College London found that the presence of these T cells at the time of COVID-19 exposure could reduce the chance of getting infected.

The findings could provide a blueprint for a second-generation, universal vaccine to prevent infection from COVID-19 variants, including Omicron and ones that crop up later.

“Being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn’t always result in infection, and we’ve been keen to understand why,” Rhia Kundu, PhD, the lead study author from Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute, said in a statement.

People with higher levels of T cells from the common cold were less likely to become infected with COVID-19, the researchers found.

“While this is an important discovery, it is only one form of protection, and I would stress that no one should rely on this alone,” Dr. Kundu said. “Instead, the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated, including getting your booster dose.”

For the study, Dr. Kundu and colleagues analyzed blood samples from 52 people who lived with someone with confirmed COVID-19 in September 2020. Among the 26 people who didn’t contract COVID-19, there were “significantly higher levels” of preexisting T cells from common cold coronaviruses, as compared with the 26 people who did become infected.

The T cells researched in the study are considered “cross-reactive” and can recognize the proteins of SARS-CoV-2. They offer protection by targeting proteins inside the SARS-CoV-2 virus, rather than the spike proteins on the surface that allow the virus to invade cells.

The current COVID-19 vaccines target the spike proteins, which are more likely to mutate than internal proteins, the researchers wrote. The Omicron variant, for instance, has numerous mutations on spike proteins that may allow it to evade vaccines.

The data suggest that the next step of COVID-19 vaccine development could focus on internal proteins, the researchers said, which could provide lasting protection because T-cell responses persist longer than antibody responses that fade within a few months of vaccination.

“New vaccines that include these conserved, internal proteins would therefore induce broadly protective T-cell responses that should protect against current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants,” Ajit Lalvani, MD, the senior study author and director of Imperial’s respiratory infections health protection research unit, said in the statement.

But more research is needed, the authors said, noting that the study had a small sample size and lacked ethnic diversity, which puts limits on the research.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com

People who build up high levels of immune cells from coronaviruses that cause the common cold could have some protection against COVID-19, according to a small study published Jan. 10 in Nature Communications.

Previous studies have shown that T cells created from other coronaviruses can recognize SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In the new study, researchers at Imperial College London found that the presence of these T cells at the time of COVID-19 exposure could reduce the chance of getting infected.

The findings could provide a blueprint for a second-generation, universal vaccine to prevent infection from COVID-19 variants, including Omicron and ones that crop up later.

“Being exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn’t always result in infection, and we’ve been keen to understand why,” Rhia Kundu, PhD, the lead study author from Imperial’s National Heart and Lung Institute, said in a statement.

People with higher levels of T cells from the common cold were less likely to become infected with COVID-19, the researchers found.

“While this is an important discovery, it is only one form of protection, and I would stress that no one should rely on this alone,” Dr. Kundu said. “Instead, the best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated, including getting your booster dose.”

For the study, Dr. Kundu and colleagues analyzed blood samples from 52 people who lived with someone with confirmed COVID-19 in September 2020. Among the 26 people who didn’t contract COVID-19, there were “significantly higher levels” of preexisting T cells from common cold coronaviruses, as compared with the 26 people who did become infected.

The T cells researched in the study are considered “cross-reactive” and can recognize the proteins of SARS-CoV-2. They offer protection by targeting proteins inside the SARS-CoV-2 virus, rather than the spike proteins on the surface that allow the virus to invade cells.

The current COVID-19 vaccines target the spike proteins, which are more likely to mutate than internal proteins, the researchers wrote. The Omicron variant, for instance, has numerous mutations on spike proteins that may allow it to evade vaccines.

The data suggest that the next step of COVID-19 vaccine development could focus on internal proteins, the researchers said, which could provide lasting protection because T-cell responses persist longer than antibody responses that fade within a few months of vaccination.

“New vaccines that include these conserved, internal proteins would therefore induce broadly protective T-cell responses that should protect against current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants,” Ajit Lalvani, MD, the senior study author and director of Imperial’s respiratory infections health protection research unit, said in the statement.

But more research is needed, the authors said, noting that the study had a small sample size and lacked ethnic diversity, which puts limits on the research.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com

Doctors providing “fraudulent” COVID-19 information became a hot-button issue for physicians responding to Medscape’s recent article, "Shouldn’t Doctors Who Spread False COVID-19 Information Lose Their Licenses?”

COVID-19 safety recommendations are set by mainstream medical organizations as new information becomes available, but some doctors consistently oppose advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical authorities. These physicians often promote off-label, unapproved use of medications for COVID-19 and/or contradict mainstream safety guidelines such as vaccines, masks, and social distancing.

Some medical organizations are concerned that these doctors are hampering efforts to control the highly contagious coronavirus and are, at worst, placing lives in danger with their contrarian views that can spread like wildfire on social media sites. Their words are often used by those who refuse to be vaccinated or wear masks.

State licensing boards have mostly refused to discipline these doctors for making false and/or misleading claims, but as the virus spreads, there are calls to take action against them. However, others worry that such actions would violate free speech and critical thought.

Medscape recently took on the question of whether doctors should lose their licenses for spreading misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19, which spurred a strong response from clinician readers.
 

Yes, those doctors are doing wrong

Several physicians took a strong stand against their fellow doctors who are spreading misinformation about COVID-19.

One doctor endorsed the idea of removing licenses for spreading misinformation and called for criminal prosecution: “It should certainly be grounds for cancellation of all licensing (after appropriate examination to rule out acute psychotic episodes, dementia, tumor, etc.) and very likely [include] a charge of manslaughter.”

Another health care provider said, “A person who does not accept science should not, of course, be allowed to practice medicine. One who argues publicly that vaccines and masks don’t work should be prosecuted for crimes ranging from reckless endangerment to attempted murder.”

One reader framed COVID-19 misinformers in stark terms: “These men and women are medical prostitutes. Their medical and surgical colleges [should] have a panel to track in-court testimony and the disinformation they spread ...”

“This is malpractice of the worst kind,” said a clinician. “Public health officials and science are quite clear on [the] best practices for safety during a pandemic, which is killing millions. This is a standard of care.”

“Medical Boards should suspend licenses and give the physician a chance to testify [about] the scientific basis for his comments,” added a health care provider. “Boards involve themselves in all kinds of perceived disciplinary infractions. We are in the midst of a lethal pandemic. I would think that would take precedence over many other issues?”

“I do believe that physicians have the responsibility to speak the truth and have scientifically displayed minds,” said a reader. “Not [to] promulgate misleading, false, and/or unverified information.”

“Any physician, who holds a license, should abide [by] government and state regulation,” asserted a doctor. “He should be disciplined by the board for spreading medical/public misinformation since he is creating potential harm to the population.”

One specialist insisted that “state boards do not do enough to restrict/limit the practice of physicians touting questionable therapies.”

“Any doctor who spreads false information about Covid is hurting our country, our individuals, and our economy and leading to needless deaths,” asserted a physician. “However, there are uncertainties, and where those exist, physicians [should] simply say ‘it is unknown.’”
 

No, those physicians have a right to speak their beliefs

However, many physicians worried that science and controversial thought were being muzzled.

“Absolutely no,” a doctor stated. “Who judges what is misinformation in this age where debate is canceled? Science advances with challenge, and it’s not about an authority dictating the allowable opinion.”

Another clinician claimed the “truth is very difficult to discern from less-than-truth in a country running on a profit-oriented economic ideology.”

One specialist warned that if disinformation doctors are held responsible, then “that means a lot of doctors” will be “gone” because “almost anything that is written or said about COVID can be contested.”

Another physician warned his colleagues about suppressing new ideas: “To condemn what we didn’t try, or purposefully ignore a different approach because [it] doesn’t agree with our opinion is suppression of information.”

Some doctors insisted the issue extended beyond medicine and into Constitutional freedoms. They also expressed their mistrust in the government to regulate physicians.

“There is a First Amendment in this country,” said one reader. “What you think is false may not be so. The people can listen to whoever they want to and make their own medical decisions. We do not need one iota more of politicizing medicine. Having an MD or DO does not mean you relinquish your First Amendment rights.”

“One of the fundamental problems with a system that allows government to ‘license’ physicians, or any other profession, is that politics inevitably turn to cronyism, and big businesses and wealthy people start controlling the government,” argued a doctor.

One clinician suggested enforcement against health food, drug company commercials, and talk shows: “What about all the [misinformation] at the health food stores and the like. Doctors of natural-whatever? Those info-commercials on tv. How many faxes do I get to ‘approve’ because ‘patients request’ braces and pain-treating expensive compounds advertised on TV? We tolerate those ... What about Dr. Oz and the docs on talk shows claiming BS?”
 

And the debate goes even further

Some physicians questioned the very notion of claiming “truth.”

“Nobody should be certain that they have the ‘absolute truth,’” said one reader. “In fact, the best clinical insights exceed so-called knowledge by at least one step.”

“Who can determine exactly what is truth?” asked another clinician. “For sure, the ‘Federal Government,’ who ‘is here to help you,’ is not qualified to make such determinations, and who are you to make such a suggestion as to remove someone’s license because they disagree with you? Give me a break!”

Another physician echoed that sentiment: “What’s true and false is often and certainly currently debatable. There are well-qualified physicians (with credentials such as the development of mRNA technology), virologists, and biostatisticians that have valid thoughts on this but do not necessarily agree with the drug company-sponsored journals and news channels (most of them). Their voices should be heard, and they should not lose their licenses. They are doing their work in good conscience.”

One reader commented that he wanted his “freedom of speech,” and offered this defiant advice: “You can take this license and shove it.”

Finally, a physician noted that the political climate has influenced medical directives: “If someone in a leadership role knowingly, and with intent, spread false information, that is wrong. However, during this global pandemic the active and the politics have combined. Red state no mandate, blue state mandate – what does that tell you about American leadership?”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Doctors providing “fraudulent” COVID-19 information became a hot-button issue for physicians responding to Medscape’s recent article, "Shouldn’t Doctors Who Spread False COVID-19 Information Lose Their Licenses?”

COVID-19 safety recommendations are set by mainstream medical organizations as new information becomes available, but some doctors consistently oppose advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical authorities. These physicians often promote off-label, unapproved use of medications for COVID-19 and/or contradict mainstream safety guidelines such as vaccines, masks, and social distancing.

Some medical organizations are concerned that these doctors are hampering efforts to control the highly contagious coronavirus and are, at worst, placing lives in danger with their contrarian views that can spread like wildfire on social media sites. Their words are often used by those who refuse to be vaccinated or wear masks.

State licensing boards have mostly refused to discipline these doctors for making false and/or misleading claims, but as the virus spreads, there are calls to take action against them. However, others worry that such actions would violate free speech and critical thought.

Medscape recently took on the question of whether doctors should lose their licenses for spreading misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19, which spurred a strong response from clinician readers.
 

Yes, those doctors are doing wrong

Several physicians took a strong stand against their fellow doctors who are spreading misinformation about COVID-19.

One doctor endorsed the idea of removing licenses for spreading misinformation and called for criminal prosecution: “It should certainly be grounds for cancellation of all licensing (after appropriate examination to rule out acute psychotic episodes, dementia, tumor, etc.) and very likely [include] a charge of manslaughter.”

Another health care provider said, “A person who does not accept science should not, of course, be allowed to practice medicine. One who argues publicly that vaccines and masks don’t work should be prosecuted for crimes ranging from reckless endangerment to attempted murder.”

One reader framed COVID-19 misinformers in stark terms: “These men and women are medical prostitutes. Their medical and surgical colleges [should] have a panel to track in-court testimony and the disinformation they spread ...”

“This is malpractice of the worst kind,” said a clinician. “Public health officials and science are quite clear on [the] best practices for safety during a pandemic, which is killing millions. This is a standard of care.”

“Medical Boards should suspend licenses and give the physician a chance to testify [about] the scientific basis for his comments,” added a health care provider. “Boards involve themselves in all kinds of perceived disciplinary infractions. We are in the midst of a lethal pandemic. I would think that would take precedence over many other issues?”

“I do believe that physicians have the responsibility to speak the truth and have scientifically displayed minds,” said a reader. “Not [to] promulgate misleading, false, and/or unverified information.”

“Any physician, who holds a license, should abide [by] government and state regulation,” asserted a doctor. “He should be disciplined by the board for spreading medical/public misinformation since he is creating potential harm to the population.”

One specialist insisted that “state boards do not do enough to restrict/limit the practice of physicians touting questionable therapies.”

“Any doctor who spreads false information about Covid is hurting our country, our individuals, and our economy and leading to needless deaths,” asserted a physician. “However, there are uncertainties, and where those exist, physicians [should] simply say ‘it is unknown.’”
 

No, those physicians have a right to speak their beliefs

However, many physicians worried that science and controversial thought were being muzzled.

“Absolutely no,” a doctor stated. “Who judges what is misinformation in this age where debate is canceled? Science advances with challenge, and it’s not about an authority dictating the allowable opinion.”

Another clinician claimed the “truth is very difficult to discern from less-than-truth in a country running on a profit-oriented economic ideology.”

One specialist warned that if disinformation doctors are held responsible, then “that means a lot of doctors” will be “gone” because “almost anything that is written or said about COVID can be contested.”

Another physician warned his colleagues about suppressing new ideas: “To condemn what we didn’t try, or purposefully ignore a different approach because [it] doesn’t agree with our opinion is suppression of information.”

Some doctors insisted the issue extended beyond medicine and into Constitutional freedoms. They also expressed their mistrust in the government to regulate physicians.

“There is a First Amendment in this country,” said one reader. “What you think is false may not be so. The people can listen to whoever they want to and make their own medical decisions. We do not need one iota more of politicizing medicine. Having an MD or DO does not mean you relinquish your First Amendment rights.”

“One of the fundamental problems with a system that allows government to ‘license’ physicians, or any other profession, is that politics inevitably turn to cronyism, and big businesses and wealthy people start controlling the government,” argued a doctor.

One clinician suggested enforcement against health food, drug company commercials, and talk shows: “What about all the [misinformation] at the health food stores and the like. Doctors of natural-whatever? Those info-commercials on tv. How many faxes do I get to ‘approve’ because ‘patients request’ braces and pain-treating expensive compounds advertised on TV? We tolerate those ... What about Dr. Oz and the docs on talk shows claiming BS?”
 

And the debate goes even further

Some physicians questioned the very notion of claiming “truth.”

“Nobody should be certain that they have the ‘absolute truth,’” said one reader. “In fact, the best clinical insights exceed so-called knowledge by at least one step.”

“Who can determine exactly what is truth?” asked another clinician. “For sure, the ‘Federal Government,’ who ‘is here to help you,’ is not qualified to make such determinations, and who are you to make such a suggestion as to remove someone’s license because they disagree with you? Give me a break!”

Another physician echoed that sentiment: “What’s true and false is often and certainly currently debatable. There are well-qualified physicians (with credentials such as the development of mRNA technology), virologists, and biostatisticians that have valid thoughts on this but do not necessarily agree with the drug company-sponsored journals and news channels (most of them). Their voices should be heard, and they should not lose their licenses. They are doing their work in good conscience.”

One reader commented that he wanted his “freedom of speech,” and offered this defiant advice: “You can take this license and shove it.”

Finally, a physician noted that the political climate has influenced medical directives: “If someone in a leadership role knowingly, and with intent, spread false information, that is wrong. However, during this global pandemic the active and the politics have combined. Red state no mandate, blue state mandate – what does that tell you about American leadership?”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Doctors providing “fraudulent” COVID-19 information became a hot-button issue for physicians responding to Medscape’s recent article, "Shouldn’t Doctors Who Spread False COVID-19 Information Lose Their Licenses?”

COVID-19 safety recommendations are set by mainstream medical organizations as new information becomes available, but some doctors consistently oppose advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical authorities. These physicians often promote off-label, unapproved use of medications for COVID-19 and/or contradict mainstream safety guidelines such as vaccines, masks, and social distancing.

Some medical organizations are concerned that these doctors are hampering efforts to control the highly contagious coronavirus and are, at worst, placing lives in danger with their contrarian views that can spread like wildfire on social media sites. Their words are often used by those who refuse to be vaccinated or wear masks.

State licensing boards have mostly refused to discipline these doctors for making false and/or misleading claims, but as the virus spreads, there are calls to take action against them. However, others worry that such actions would violate free speech and critical thought.

Medscape recently took on the question of whether doctors should lose their licenses for spreading misinformation and disinformation about COVID-19, which spurred a strong response from clinician readers.
 

Yes, those doctors are doing wrong

Several physicians took a strong stand against their fellow doctors who are spreading misinformation about COVID-19.

One doctor endorsed the idea of removing licenses for spreading misinformation and called for criminal prosecution: “It should certainly be grounds for cancellation of all licensing (after appropriate examination to rule out acute psychotic episodes, dementia, tumor, etc.) and very likely [include] a charge of manslaughter.”

Another health care provider said, “A person who does not accept science should not, of course, be allowed to practice medicine. One who argues publicly that vaccines and masks don’t work should be prosecuted for crimes ranging from reckless endangerment to attempted murder.”

One reader framed COVID-19 misinformers in stark terms: “These men and women are medical prostitutes. Their medical and surgical colleges [should] have a panel to track in-court testimony and the disinformation they spread ...”

“This is malpractice of the worst kind,” said a clinician. “Public health officials and science are quite clear on [the] best practices for safety during a pandemic, which is killing millions. This is a standard of care.”

“Medical Boards should suspend licenses and give the physician a chance to testify [about] the scientific basis for his comments,” added a health care provider. “Boards involve themselves in all kinds of perceived disciplinary infractions. We are in the midst of a lethal pandemic. I would think that would take precedence over many other issues?”

“I do believe that physicians have the responsibility to speak the truth and have scientifically displayed minds,” said a reader. “Not [to] promulgate misleading, false, and/or unverified information.”

“Any physician, who holds a license, should abide [by] government and state regulation,” asserted a doctor. “He should be disciplined by the board for spreading medical/public misinformation since he is creating potential harm to the population.”

One specialist insisted that “state boards do not do enough to restrict/limit the practice of physicians touting questionable therapies.”

“Any doctor who spreads false information about Covid is hurting our country, our individuals, and our economy and leading to needless deaths,” asserted a physician. “However, there are uncertainties, and where those exist, physicians [should] simply say ‘it is unknown.’”
 

No, those physicians have a right to speak their beliefs

However, many physicians worried that science and controversial thought were being muzzled.

“Absolutely no,” a doctor stated. “Who judges what is misinformation in this age where debate is canceled? Science advances with challenge, and it’s not about an authority dictating the allowable opinion.”

Another clinician claimed the “truth is very difficult to discern from less-than-truth in a country running on a profit-oriented economic ideology.”

One specialist warned that if disinformation doctors are held responsible, then “that means a lot of doctors” will be “gone” because “almost anything that is written or said about COVID can be contested.”

Another physician warned his colleagues about suppressing new ideas: “To condemn what we didn’t try, or purposefully ignore a different approach because [it] doesn’t agree with our opinion is suppression of information.”

Some doctors insisted the issue extended beyond medicine and into Constitutional freedoms. They also expressed their mistrust in the government to regulate physicians.

“There is a First Amendment in this country,” said one reader. “What you think is false may not be so. The people can listen to whoever they want to and make their own medical decisions. We do not need one iota more of politicizing medicine. Having an MD or DO does not mean you relinquish your First Amendment rights.”

“One of the fundamental problems with a system that allows government to ‘license’ physicians, or any other profession, is that politics inevitably turn to cronyism, and big businesses and wealthy people start controlling the government,” argued a doctor.

One clinician suggested enforcement against health food, drug company commercials, and talk shows: “What about all the [misinformation] at the health food stores and the like. Doctors of natural-whatever? Those info-commercials on tv. How many faxes do I get to ‘approve’ because ‘patients request’ braces and pain-treating expensive compounds advertised on TV? We tolerate those ... What about Dr. Oz and the docs on talk shows claiming BS?”
 

And the debate goes even further

Some physicians questioned the very notion of claiming “truth.”

“Nobody should be certain that they have the ‘absolute truth,’” said one reader. “In fact, the best clinical insights exceed so-called knowledge by at least one step.”

“Who can determine exactly what is truth?” asked another clinician. “For sure, the ‘Federal Government,’ who ‘is here to help you,’ is not qualified to make such determinations, and who are you to make such a suggestion as to remove someone’s license because they disagree with you? Give me a break!”

Another physician echoed that sentiment: “What’s true and false is often and certainly currently debatable. There are well-qualified physicians (with credentials such as the development of mRNA technology), virologists, and biostatisticians that have valid thoughts on this but do not necessarily agree with the drug company-sponsored journals and news channels (most of them). Their voices should be heard, and they should not lose their licenses. They are doing their work in good conscience.”

One reader commented that he wanted his “freedom of speech,” and offered this defiant advice: “You can take this license and shove it.”

Finally, a physician noted that the political climate has influenced medical directives: “If someone in a leadership role knowingly, and with intent, spread false information, that is wrong. However, during this global pandemic the active and the politics have combined. Red state no mandate, blue state mandate – what does that tell you about American leadership?”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Angel O. Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP, is a Pulmonary and Critical Care specialist at the Respiratory Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He previously served as the Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center and was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Coz received his medical degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. He completed residency training in internal medicine and did his fellowship training in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Henry Ford Hospital.

Dr. Coz was a member of the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines panel and serves on the American Board of Internal Medicine Governance – Critical Care Medicine examination board. He holds multiple leadership positions at CHEST—Chair of the Council of NetWorks; a member of the Guidelines Oversight Committee; and served as the Critical Care Section Editor for CHEST Physician since 2018. He has been awarded the Distinguished CHEST Educator (DCE) designation every year since its inception in 2018 and received the CHEST Presidential Citation Award in 2021.

Dr. Coz has given multiple talks on critical care, sepsis, and pulmonary topics at the national and international level. He has published several peer-reviewed articles and serves as ad hoc reviewer for CHEST, Journal of Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, Critical Connections, Intensive Care Medicine, and Annals of Pharmacotherapy, among others.


 

Angel O. Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP, is a Pulmonary and Critical Care specialist at the Respiratory Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He previously served as the Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center and was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Coz received his medical degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. He completed residency training in internal medicine and did his fellowship training in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Henry Ford Hospital.

Dr. Coz was a member of the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines panel and serves on the American Board of Internal Medicine Governance – Critical Care Medicine examination board. He holds multiple leadership positions at CHEST—Chair of the Council of NetWorks; a member of the Guidelines Oversight Committee; and served as the Critical Care Section Editor for CHEST Physician since 2018. He has been awarded the Distinguished CHEST Educator (DCE) designation every year since its inception in 2018 and received the CHEST Presidential Citation Award in 2021.

Dr. Coz has given multiple talks on critical care, sepsis, and pulmonary topics at the national and international level. He has published several peer-reviewed articles and serves as ad hoc reviewer for CHEST, Journal of Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, Critical Connections, Intensive Care Medicine, and Annals of Pharmacotherapy, among others.


 

Angel O. Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP, is a Pulmonary and Critical Care specialist at the Respiratory Institute at the Cleveland Clinic. He previously served as the Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center and was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Coz received his medical degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru. He completed residency training in internal medicine and did his fellowship training in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Henry Ford Hospital.

Dr. Coz was a member of the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines panel and serves on the American Board of Internal Medicine Governance – Critical Care Medicine examination board. He holds multiple leadership positions at CHEST—Chair of the Council of NetWorks; a member of the Guidelines Oversight Committee; and served as the Critical Care Section Editor for CHEST Physician since 2018. He has been awarded the Distinguished CHEST Educator (DCE) designation every year since its inception in 2018 and received the CHEST Presidential Citation Award in 2021.

Dr. Coz has given multiple talks on critical care, sepsis, and pulmonary topics at the national and international level. He has published several peer-reviewed articles and serves as ad hoc reviewer for CHEST, Journal of Critical Care, Critical Care Medicine, Critical Connections, Intensive Care Medicine, and Annals of Pharmacotherapy, among others.


 

Humayun Anjum, MD

Dr. Anjum is currently working as a pulmonary and critical care physician at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- Grapevine in Dallas, Texas.

He is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Houston and University of North Texas. He recently moved to Dallas from Corpus Christi, Texas where, he served as the core faculty for the Internal Medicine residency program and the Pulmonary Disease fellowship program. He is passionate about learning and teaching and has been very intricately involved with CHEST and the CHEST Foundation for the last few years. Currently, he serves as the chair of the Practice Operations Network steering committee. Dr. Anjum is particularly interested in medical practice management and administration and hopes to continue sharing his knowledge through various platforms to help his fellow physicians.

Loren J. Harris, MD FACS FCCP

Dr. Harris is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY.

He has been in clinical surgical practice for over 20 years and also has over 20 years of experience teaching both medical students and surgical residents and fellows. In addition, he served as Program Director of the general surgery residency program at Maimonides Medical Center from 2014 to 2017. Dr. Harris has published and presented throughout his career both nationally and internationally. His main research and clinical interests are in the appropriate staging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. He served as the Chair of the CHEST Marketing Committee; was the editor Pulmonary Perspectives; and is a co-author on two chapters in the most recent edition of the Diagnosis and Management Guidelines for Lung Cancer published by CHEST in 2013. Dr. Harris has also received several prestigious awards including the CHEST Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence.

Diego Maselli, MD

Dr. Maselli is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine at UT Health in San Antonio.

He is the director of the Severe Asthma Program at UT Health and his research focuses on severe asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. Dr. Maselli has been designated a Distinguished CHEST Educator since 2017 when the program was initiated. He serves on the steering committee of the Airways Network.

Daniel R. Ouellette, MD

Dr. Ouellette has been a clinician, teacher, and researcher in pulmonary and critical care medicine for 35 years.

He is currently a Senior Staff Physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit where he is the Medical Director for the Pulmonary Ward. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of the Respiratory Therapy program at Oakland Community College. Dr. Ouellette has over 20 years of military service and was the Consultant to the US Army Surgeon General for Pulmonary Medicine during the last several years of his military career. An active CHEST leader, he has chaired the Guideline Oversight Committee, the Clinical Pulmonary Network, and the Council of Governors, has been a member of the Board of Regents, and held many leadership roles with CHEST and other societies in the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Dr. Ouellette’s clinical areas of interest include general pulmonary and critical care medicine and evidence-based practice.
 

Saiprakash Venkateshiah, MD, FCCP

Dr. Venkateshiah is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

He is a clinician educator and a “general pulmonologist” practicing the entire gamut of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Dr. Venkateshiah has been a CHEST member for close to 2 decades. He has been involved with CHEST NetWork leadership since 2012, starting as steering committee member of Clinical Pulmonary Medicine Network transitioning to Vice-Chair and Chair. He was previously a member of the Executive Committee of the Council of Networks and the Scientific Program Committee for CHEST 2019 and CHEST 2020. He is currently a steering committee member of the education committees of CHEST and American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is also a steering committee member of the CHEST Sleep NetWork.

Humayun Anjum, MD

Dr. Anjum is currently working as a pulmonary and critical care physician at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- Grapevine in Dallas, Texas.

He is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Houston and University of North Texas. He recently moved to Dallas from Corpus Christi, Texas where, he served as the core faculty for the Internal Medicine residency program and the Pulmonary Disease fellowship program. He is passionate about learning and teaching and has been very intricately involved with CHEST and the CHEST Foundation for the last few years. Currently, he serves as the chair of the Practice Operations Network steering committee. Dr. Anjum is particularly interested in medical practice management and administration and hopes to continue sharing his knowledge through various platforms to help his fellow physicians.

Loren J. Harris, MD FACS FCCP

Dr. Harris is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY.

He has been in clinical surgical practice for over 20 years and also has over 20 years of experience teaching both medical students and surgical residents and fellows. In addition, he served as Program Director of the general surgery residency program at Maimonides Medical Center from 2014 to 2017. Dr. Harris has published and presented throughout his career both nationally and internationally. His main research and clinical interests are in the appropriate staging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. He served as the Chair of the CHEST Marketing Committee; was the editor Pulmonary Perspectives; and is a co-author on two chapters in the most recent edition of the Diagnosis and Management Guidelines for Lung Cancer published by CHEST in 2013. Dr. Harris has also received several prestigious awards including the CHEST Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence.

Diego Maselli, MD

Dr. Maselli is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine at UT Health in San Antonio.

He is the director of the Severe Asthma Program at UT Health and his research focuses on severe asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. Dr. Maselli has been designated a Distinguished CHEST Educator since 2017 when the program was initiated. He serves on the steering committee of the Airways Network.

Daniel R. Ouellette, MD

Dr. Ouellette has been a clinician, teacher, and researcher in pulmonary and critical care medicine for 35 years.

He is currently a Senior Staff Physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit where he is the Medical Director for the Pulmonary Ward. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of the Respiratory Therapy program at Oakland Community College. Dr. Ouellette has over 20 years of military service and was the Consultant to the US Army Surgeon General for Pulmonary Medicine during the last several years of his military career. An active CHEST leader, he has chaired the Guideline Oversight Committee, the Clinical Pulmonary Network, and the Council of Governors, has been a member of the Board of Regents, and held many leadership roles with CHEST and other societies in the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Dr. Ouellette’s clinical areas of interest include general pulmonary and critical care medicine and evidence-based practice.
 

Saiprakash Venkateshiah, MD, FCCP

Dr. Venkateshiah is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

He is a clinician educator and a “general pulmonologist” practicing the entire gamut of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Dr. Venkateshiah has been a CHEST member for close to 2 decades. He has been involved with CHEST NetWork leadership since 2012, starting as steering committee member of Clinical Pulmonary Medicine Network transitioning to Vice-Chair and Chair. He was previously a member of the Executive Committee of the Council of Networks and the Scientific Program Committee for CHEST 2019 and CHEST 2020. He is currently a steering committee member of the education committees of CHEST and American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is also a steering committee member of the CHEST Sleep NetWork.

Humayun Anjum, MD

Dr. Anjum is currently working as a pulmonary and critical care physician at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center- Grapevine in Dallas, Texas.

He is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Houston and University of North Texas. He recently moved to Dallas from Corpus Christi, Texas where, he served as the core faculty for the Internal Medicine residency program and the Pulmonary Disease fellowship program. He is passionate about learning and teaching and has been very intricately involved with CHEST and the CHEST Foundation for the last few years. Currently, he serves as the chair of the Practice Operations Network steering committee. Dr. Anjum is particularly interested in medical practice management and administration and hopes to continue sharing his knowledge through various platforms to help his fellow physicians.

Loren J. Harris, MD FACS FCCP

Dr. Harris is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY.

He has been in clinical surgical practice for over 20 years and also has over 20 years of experience teaching both medical students and surgical residents and fellows. In addition, he served as Program Director of the general surgery residency program at Maimonides Medical Center from 2014 to 2017. Dr. Harris has published and presented throughout his career both nationally and internationally. His main research and clinical interests are in the appropriate staging and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. He served as the Chair of the CHEST Marketing Committee; was the editor Pulmonary Perspectives; and is a co-author on two chapters in the most recent edition of the Diagnosis and Management Guidelines for Lung Cancer published by CHEST in 2013. Dr. Harris has also received several prestigious awards including the CHEST Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence.

Diego Maselli, MD

Dr. Maselli is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care Medicine at UT Health in San Antonio.

He is the director of the Severe Asthma Program at UT Health and his research focuses on severe asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. Dr. Maselli has been designated a Distinguished CHEST Educator since 2017 when the program was initiated. He serves on the steering committee of the Airways Network.

Daniel R. Ouellette, MD

Dr. Ouellette has been a clinician, teacher, and researcher in pulmonary and critical care medicine for 35 years.

He is currently a Senior Staff Physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit where he is the Medical Director for the Pulmonary Ward. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and the Medical Director of the Respiratory Therapy program at Oakland Community College. Dr. Ouellette has over 20 years of military service and was the Consultant to the US Army Surgeon General for Pulmonary Medicine during the last several years of his military career. An active CHEST leader, he has chaired the Guideline Oversight Committee, the Clinical Pulmonary Network, and the Council of Governors, has been a member of the Board of Regents, and held many leadership roles with CHEST and other societies in the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Dr. Ouellette’s clinical areas of interest include general pulmonary and critical care medicine and evidence-based practice.
 

Saiprakash Venkateshiah, MD, FCCP

Dr. Venkateshiah is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

He is a clinician educator and a “general pulmonologist” practicing the entire gamut of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Dr. Venkateshiah has been a CHEST member for close to 2 decades. He has been involved with CHEST NetWork leadership since 2012, starting as steering committee member of Clinical Pulmonary Medicine Network transitioning to Vice-Chair and Chair. He was previously a member of the Executive Committee of the Council of Networks and the Scientific Program Committee for CHEST 2019 and CHEST 2020. He is currently a steering committee member of the education committees of CHEST and American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is also a steering committee member of the CHEST Sleep NetWork.

When the United States went into a 2-week quarantine to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in March 2020, everything changed. In the months following, social distancing, working from home, and wearing masks became the norm, and life needed to find a way to go on.

Courtesy CHEST

The world adapted to a virtual environment, but some of the hardest hit by this change were non-profit organizations that relied on in-person contact to encourage donations that support their worthwhile missions.

This was even more challenging for the CHEST Foundation as our donors work on the front lines of the pandemic.

“It was important for us to not only stay engaged with our donors but also to recognize what those on the front lines are dealing with,” says Angela Perillo, Director, Development & Foundation Operations at the American College of Chest Physicians. “Through these events, we wanted to provide some respite from the stresses of their long days.”

The CHEST Foundation is about championing lung health, and there was no greater awareness of the need than now. It was time to get creative.
 

Viva la vino

A well-known “secret” is CHEST CEO Bob Mussachio’s love of wine, and he’s not alone in his passion for the grape. Perillo put this knowledge to good use creating a wine tasting series that took people around the world one bottle at a time.

The online Viva La Vino evening gatherings serve to bring donors together for a night of good wines and good conversation. A benefit to the virtual wine nights is that no one has to travel but that it keeps the group together and keeps the Foundation at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

“I love attending the wine nights. They are so interesting, and I get to see people who don’t live in New York – it’s just great,” says regular participant Ilene (Lenie) Rosen.

The wines are shipped directly to the participants’ homes and during the online Zoom session, Mussachio guides the tasting by scrolling through a presentation on the wine’s background and what to expect from the taste. As the wines are tasted, the participants have a chance to share their review.

“It’s always enthralling to me how much our members know about wine. It makes for a really fun evening listening to their critiques and even learning a bit myself. These events have provided a great platform to stay engaged with our donors and enjoy an evening at home with company,” says Perillo.
 

Doubling down on a good cause

After hosting its in-person event in the first week of March 2020, the Irv Feldman Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament also shifted to a virtual environment to stay engaged with its players.

Courtesy CHEST

Supported by the CHEST Foundation, the Feldman Family Foundation created a series of poker tournaments through an online platform that worked with Zoom to retain the engagement offered by in-person events. Through the Zoom call, players are able to talk to each other either in the main room or in breakout rooms created for each table.

Poker player and recent winner of one of the tournaments, Kim Coles started playing professionally during the pandemic and enjoys playing in an online environment.

“I had participated in charity poker tournaments before, but it wasn’t until I joined Poker Power—a group focused on teaching women how to play poker—that I really came to the table ready to compete,” says Coles. “Playing in an online setting is a lot more accessible for a lot of people, especially for women. A traditional poker tournament can be intimidating to a new player, but online has a way of evening the playing field.”

In an online setting, Feldman and Coles both note that buying in is a lot easier and lends itself well to fundraising.

“There is no fumbling around for your wallet or having to swipe your credit card,” says Coles. “It’s just the press of a button, and your credit card is already linked. It’s all going to a good cause, so it makes sense to keep buying in to keep playing.”

Looking into the future, while Feldman says that the virtual events have been successful, there’s nothing like in-person.

“Through our virtual events, we were able to expand our network of players beyond the Chicagoland area, and these individuals have expressed their interest in attending our live events,” says Feldman. “With this extended network, I am very much looking forward to being able to get together in-person again for what I expect be one of our best tournaments to date.”

The 8th Annual Irv Feldman Texas Hold ‘Em Annual Tournament & Casino Night will be held in early April 2022 in the Chicago suburbs, and all are welcome to attend. Visit the CHEST Foundation’s website to learn more about the tournament and upcoming events at chestfoundation.org.

When the United States went into a 2-week quarantine to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in March 2020, everything changed. In the months following, social distancing, working from home, and wearing masks became the norm, and life needed to find a way to go on.

Courtesy CHEST

The world adapted to a virtual environment, but some of the hardest hit by this change were non-profit organizations that relied on in-person contact to encourage donations that support their worthwhile missions.

This was even more challenging for the CHEST Foundation as our donors work on the front lines of the pandemic.

“It was important for us to not only stay engaged with our donors but also to recognize what those on the front lines are dealing with,” says Angela Perillo, Director, Development & Foundation Operations at the American College of Chest Physicians. “Through these events, we wanted to provide some respite from the stresses of their long days.”

The CHEST Foundation is about championing lung health, and there was no greater awareness of the need than now. It was time to get creative.
 

Viva la vino

A well-known “secret” is CHEST CEO Bob Mussachio’s love of wine, and he’s not alone in his passion for the grape. Perillo put this knowledge to good use creating a wine tasting series that took people around the world one bottle at a time.

The online Viva La Vino evening gatherings serve to bring donors together for a night of good wines and good conversation. A benefit to the virtual wine nights is that no one has to travel but that it keeps the group together and keeps the Foundation at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

“I love attending the wine nights. They are so interesting, and I get to see people who don’t live in New York – it’s just great,” says regular participant Ilene (Lenie) Rosen.

The wines are shipped directly to the participants’ homes and during the online Zoom session, Mussachio guides the tasting by scrolling through a presentation on the wine’s background and what to expect from the taste. As the wines are tasted, the participants have a chance to share their review.

“It’s always enthralling to me how much our members know about wine. It makes for a really fun evening listening to their critiques and even learning a bit myself. These events have provided a great platform to stay engaged with our donors and enjoy an evening at home with company,” says Perillo.
 

Doubling down on a good cause

After hosting its in-person event in the first week of March 2020, the Irv Feldman Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament also shifted to a virtual environment to stay engaged with its players.

Courtesy CHEST

Supported by the CHEST Foundation, the Feldman Family Foundation created a series of poker tournaments through an online platform that worked with Zoom to retain the engagement offered by in-person events. Through the Zoom call, players are able to talk to each other either in the main room or in breakout rooms created for each table.

Poker player and recent winner of one of the tournaments, Kim Coles started playing professionally during the pandemic and enjoys playing in an online environment.

“I had participated in charity poker tournaments before, but it wasn’t until I joined Poker Power—a group focused on teaching women how to play poker—that I really came to the table ready to compete,” says Coles. “Playing in an online setting is a lot more accessible for a lot of people, especially for women. A traditional poker tournament can be intimidating to a new player, but online has a way of evening the playing field.”

In an online setting, Feldman and Coles both note that buying in is a lot easier and lends itself well to fundraising.

“There is no fumbling around for your wallet or having to swipe your credit card,” says Coles. “It’s just the press of a button, and your credit card is already linked. It’s all going to a good cause, so it makes sense to keep buying in to keep playing.”

Looking into the future, while Feldman says that the virtual events have been successful, there’s nothing like in-person.

“Through our virtual events, we were able to expand our network of players beyond the Chicagoland area, and these individuals have expressed their interest in attending our live events,” says Feldman. “With this extended network, I am very much looking forward to being able to get together in-person again for what I expect be one of our best tournaments to date.”

The 8th Annual Irv Feldman Texas Hold ‘Em Annual Tournament & Casino Night will be held in early April 2022 in the Chicago suburbs, and all are welcome to attend. Visit the CHEST Foundation’s website to learn more about the tournament and upcoming events at chestfoundation.org.

When the United States went into a 2-week quarantine to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in March 2020, everything changed. In the months following, social distancing, working from home, and wearing masks became the norm, and life needed to find a way to go on.

Courtesy CHEST

The world adapted to a virtual environment, but some of the hardest hit by this change were non-profit organizations that relied on in-person contact to encourage donations that support their worthwhile missions.

This was even more challenging for the CHEST Foundation as our donors work on the front lines of the pandemic.

“It was important for us to not only stay engaged with our donors but also to recognize what those on the front lines are dealing with,” says Angela Perillo, Director, Development & Foundation Operations at the American College of Chest Physicians. “Through these events, we wanted to provide some respite from the stresses of their long days.”

The CHEST Foundation is about championing lung health, and there was no greater awareness of the need than now. It was time to get creative.
 

Viva la vino

A well-known “secret” is CHEST CEO Bob Mussachio’s love of wine, and he’s not alone in his passion for the grape. Perillo put this knowledge to good use creating a wine tasting series that took people around the world one bottle at a time.

The online Viva La Vino evening gatherings serve to bring donors together for a night of good wines and good conversation. A benefit to the virtual wine nights is that no one has to travel but that it keeps the group together and keeps the Foundation at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

“I love attending the wine nights. They are so interesting, and I get to see people who don’t live in New York – it’s just great,” says regular participant Ilene (Lenie) Rosen.

The wines are shipped directly to the participants’ homes and during the online Zoom session, Mussachio guides the tasting by scrolling through a presentation on the wine’s background and what to expect from the taste. As the wines are tasted, the participants have a chance to share their review.

“It’s always enthralling to me how much our members know about wine. It makes for a really fun evening listening to their critiques and even learning a bit myself. These events have provided a great platform to stay engaged with our donors and enjoy an evening at home with company,” says Perillo.
 

Doubling down on a good cause

After hosting its in-person event in the first week of March 2020, the Irv Feldman Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament also shifted to a virtual environment to stay engaged with its players.

Courtesy CHEST

Supported by the CHEST Foundation, the Feldman Family Foundation created a series of poker tournaments through an online platform that worked with Zoom to retain the engagement offered by in-person events. Through the Zoom call, players are able to talk to each other either in the main room or in breakout rooms created for each table.

Poker player and recent winner of one of the tournaments, Kim Coles started playing professionally during the pandemic and enjoys playing in an online environment.

“I had participated in charity poker tournaments before, but it wasn’t until I joined Poker Power—a group focused on teaching women how to play poker—that I really came to the table ready to compete,” says Coles. “Playing in an online setting is a lot more accessible for a lot of people, especially for women. A traditional poker tournament can be intimidating to a new player, but online has a way of evening the playing field.”

In an online setting, Feldman and Coles both note that buying in is a lot easier and lends itself well to fundraising.

“There is no fumbling around for your wallet or having to swipe your credit card,” says Coles. “It’s just the press of a button, and your credit card is already linked. It’s all going to a good cause, so it makes sense to keep buying in to keep playing.”

Looking into the future, while Feldman says that the virtual events have been successful, there’s nothing like in-person.

“Through our virtual events, we were able to expand our network of players beyond the Chicagoland area, and these individuals have expressed their interest in attending our live events,” says Feldman. “With this extended network, I am very much looking forward to being able to get together in-person again for what I expect be one of our best tournaments to date.”

The 8th Annual Irv Feldman Texas Hold ‘Em Annual Tournament & Casino Night will be held in early April 2022 in the Chicago suburbs, and all are welcome to attend. Visit the CHEST Foundation’s website to learn more about the tournament and upcoming events at chestfoundation.org.

ANNUAL AWARDS

Master FCCP

Curtis N. Sessler, MD, Master FCCP



College Medalist Award

Margaret Pisani, MD, MPH, FCCP



Distinguished Service Award

Christopher Carroll, MD, FCCP



Master Clinician Educator

Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP



Early Career Clinician Educator

Matthew C. Miles, MD, FCCP



Alfred Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence

Scott Manaker, MD, PhD, FCCP



Presidential Citation

COVID-19 Task Force

Ryan Maves, MD, FCCP

Christopher Carroll, MD, FCCP

Neha Dangayach, MD

Jeffrey Dichter, MD, FCCP

Alice Gallo De Moraes, MD

James Geiling, MD, MPH, FCCP

Holly Keyt, MD, FCCP

Stephanie M. Levine, MD, FCCP

Septimu Murgu, MD, FCCP

Marcos Restrepo, MD, PhD, FCCP

Steven Q. Simpson, MD, FCCP

Angel Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP

Staff: Katlyn Froslan, Heather Watkins, Robb Rabito, CHCP, Lilly Rodriguez, Karla Velilla
 

HONOR LECTURE AND MEMORIAL AWARDS

Distinguished Scientist Honor Lecture in Cardiopulmonary Physiology

KENNETH I. BERGER, MD, FCCP

Probing the Small Airways in the Assessment of Dyspnea

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Presidential Honor Lecture

CURTIS N. SESSLER, MD, Master FCCP

Navigating the Road to Well-Being in the ICU

Margaret Pfrommer Endowed Memorial Lecture in Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation

DEBRA WEESE-MAYER, MD

Artificial Ventilation, a True Life-Saver for Children with CCHS & ROHHAD

The Margaret Pfrommer Endowed Memorial Lecture in Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation is generously supported by International Ventilator Users Network of Post-Polio Health International and the CHEST Foundation.



RICHARD S. IRWIN, MD, MASTER FCCP HONOR LECTURE

PETER J. MAZZONE, MD, MPH, FCCP

Shared Decision Making in the Evaluation and Management of Early Stage Lung Cancer

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Edward C. Rosenow III, MD, Master FCCP/Master Teacher Honor Lecture

DIANE E. STOVER, MD, FCCP

The Many Faces of Organizing Pneumonia—What’s the O(O)P With That?

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Pasquale Ciaglia Memorial Lecture in Interventional Medicine

MICHAEL J. SIMOFF, MD, FCCP

Robotic Bronchoscopy: Platform to the Future?

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Roger C. Bone Memorial Lecture in Critical Care

OGNJEN GAJIC, MD, FCCP

Patient Comes First: Prioritizing Relevant From Irrelevant in Critical Care Medicine

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Thomas L. Petty, MD, Master FCCP Memorial Lecture

JEAN BOURBEAU, MD, FCCP

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Self-Management in COPD: Understanding the Past to Build the Future

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.
 

CHEST FOUNDATION GRANT AWARDS

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Lung Cancer

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Daniel Ryan, MD, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

Microbial Signatures Associated With Malignant Pleural Effusions in Lung Cancer



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and RHA.



Miguel Divo, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Biomarker Profiles in Smokers Who Are at Risk of Developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This grant is supported by AstraZeneca LP.



Stephen Milne, MBBS, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The Oral Metagenome in COPD: Towards a Biomarker of Exacerbation Risk

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Critical Care

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Jacqueline Stocking, PhD, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

University of California Critical Care Research Collaborative: Predictive Model and Risk Calculator for Early and Late Postoperative Respiratory Failure



CHEST Foundation and the Alpha-1 Foundation Research Grant in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and the Alpha-1 Foundation.



John Charles Rotondo, PhD, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Protein as a Possible Marker of Disease Progression in COVID-19 Patients



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Diseases

This grant is supported by Insmed Incorporated.

Edward Chan, MD, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO

Visualization and Quantitation of Azithromycin, Clofazimine, and Amikacin Distribution in Surgically Removed Lung Tissues From Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Cystic Fibrosis

This grant is supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.



Shahid Sheikh, MD, FCCP, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH

Impact of CFTR Modulator Therapy Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor on CF- Related Chronic Sinus Disease



John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP Research Grant in Sarcoidosis

This grant is in honor of John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP and is jointly supported by the Addrizzo family and the CHEST Foundation.



Maneesh Bhargava, MD, PhD, FCCP, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

Inflammatory Protein Panel for Sarcoidosis Diagnosis and Prognosis



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Severe Asthma

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Felix Reyes, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY

Design and Implementation of an Asthma Action Plan Generator: A Pilot Study Assessing User Satisfaction and Clinical Impact



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Fibrosis

These grants are supported by an independent grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Genentech, Inc.



Marco Mura, MD, PhD, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Validation of the Risk Stratification Score in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis



Janelle Pugashetti, MD, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

Determining Biomarkers of Immunosuppressant Responsiveness in Patients With CTD-ILD

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Hypertension

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Michael Lee, MD, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Transpulmonary Metabolomic Gradients During Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension



Navneet Singh, MD, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Pulmonary Hypertension



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Sleep Medicine

These grants are funded by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



Shahid Karim, MBChB, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Effects of OSA on Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmia in HCM: An Incidence Study



Thomas Tolbert, MD, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY

Performance Characteristics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Physiologic Traits Measured by Phenotyping Using Polysomnography



CHEST Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation Research Grant in Sleep Medicine

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and AASM Foundation.



Marta Kaminska, MD, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

Long-term Noninvasive Ventilation in COPD: Impact on Health Care Utilization



CHEST Foundation and APCCMPD Research Grant in Medical Education

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and APCCMPD.



Mark Adelman, MD, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY

Virtual Reality Simulation Training for the Management of Tracheostomy Emergencies



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in COVID-19

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.
 

Marlene Cano, MD, PhD, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Circulating Mitochondrial DNA Is a Potential Biomarker for Severe Illness in COVID-19



Brandon Walsh, MD, New York University, New York, NY

How Would Existing Ventilator Allocation Guidelines Perform During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Observational Simulated Cohort Study



CHEST Foundation and ATS Research Grant in COVID-19 and Diversity

These grants are jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and ATS.



Navitha Ramesh, MD, FCCP, UPMC Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA

Improving Lung Health in the Nepali- Bhutanese Refugee Community in Harrisburg, PA



Inderjit Singh, MBBCh, Yale University, New Haven, CT

Dynamic Invasive Hemodynamic, Echocardiographic, and Plasma Biomarker Phenotyping in Post-COVID-19 Long Hauler Syndrome
 

CHEST Foundation Community Service Grants Honoring D. Robert McCaffree, MD, Master FCCP

Valerie Andrews, BS, The JUDAHH Project, Sacramento, CA

Asthma Mitigation Project



Chanda Holsey, DrPh, National Medical Association, Silver Spring, MD

Providing Lung Health Education to At Risk Communities



Arzu Ari, PhD, FCCP, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

Training Future Respiratory Care Practitioners in Turkey: A Path to Successful Disease Management in Pulmonary Medicine



Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, MPH, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

The Lung Health Ambassador Program: A Health Equity Initiative for Cystic Fibrosis



Patricia George, MD, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO

Development of Breathe Strong PH: An Informational Website About Pulmonary Hypertension and Related Diseases



Nishant Gupta, MD, MS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Global Dissemination of the Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) Clinical Practice Guidelines



Syed Naqvi, MD, MBBS, Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, Newport Beach, CA

Asthma Managment in Rural Pakistan

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Alfred Soffer Research Award Winners

Mathieu Saint-Pierre, MD: Methacholine Challenge Testing: A Clinical Prediction Model Utilizing Demographic Data And Spirometry Results

Tie: Milind K Bhagat, MD: High Flow Nasal Cannula Fio2 Cutoffs Identified Early In The Hospital Course Are Associated With Increased Mortality Risk In Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

Amber J Meservey, MD: Outcomes Of Patients Across The Spectrum Of Pulmonary Hypertension Groups Prescribed Inhaled Treprostinil



Young Investigator Award Winners

William B. Feldman, MD: COPD Exacerbations And Pneumonia Hospitalizations In New Users Of Combination Maintenance Inhalers: A Comparative Effectiveness And Safety Study



Christopher Streiler, MD: Community Pulmonologist Access To Multidisciplinary Discussion At An Academic Referral Center Leads To Changes In Management Of Interstitial Lung Disease
 

Top 5 Abstract Posters

Winner: Riley Kermanian: Management Of Coronary Artery Calcification In Patients Enrolled In A Low-Dose Computerized Tomography Lung Cancer Screening Program



Winner: Rohit Reddy: Outcomes Of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation In ARDS Due To Covid-19: Comparison Of The First And The Second Wave



Winner: Taylor A. Intihar, BA: Light Patterns Of The Medical ICU: Are We Disrupting Circadian Rhythms?



Runner up: Jason Wong, MD: Completion Of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Is Associated With Improvement In Depression Scores And Other Quality Of Life Measures In Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease



Runner up: Harshil Shah, MD: Impact Of Sepsis On Outcomes Of Hospitalizations Due To COPD
 

Case Report Session Winners

Remarkable Pulmonary Cases: Mena Botros, MD: Clinical Outcomes In Lung Transplant Recipients With SARS-COV2

Bacterial Infections: Benjamin Carmel, DO: Cotton Swab Today, Brain Abscess Tomorrow

Challenging Critical Care Cases: Rajaninder Sharma, MD: Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy: The Rare And Fatal Association Of Adenocarcinoma And Right Ventricular Failure

Diffuse Lung Diseases: Rizwana RR Rana, MBBS: A Rare Cause Of Pulmonary Nodules

Viruses, Fungi, and Parasites Infections: Michelle Forson, MD: Strongyloidiasis-Related Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion: An Unexpected Differential For Post-Cardiac Injury Syndrome

Critical Care Cases: Act Quickly: Christina Jee Ah Rhee, MD: Airway Implications Of Cricoarytenoid Arthritis: A Report And Review Of The Literature

Airway Issues: Benadin Varajic, MD: An Unusual And Life-Threatening Complication Of Endotracheal Intubation

Miscellaneous Cases 1: Shrey Shah, MD: A Case Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension From Vitamin C Deficiency

Miscellaneous Cases 2: Glenn W. Pottmeyer, DO, MPH: Biliary Stent Migration: A Rare Cause Of Right-Sided Pulmonary Abscess



Case Report Poster Winners

Advanced Cancer Case Report Posters: Sangita Goel, MD: Let’s Meet in the Middle: Simultaneous Endoscopic and Bronchoscopic Suture Repair to Close a Left Main-Stem Malignant Broncho-Esophageal Fistula



Cardiovascular Case Report Posters: Marianna Weaver, DO: Swan-Ganz And Intra-Pericardial Pressure Guided Pericardiocentesis in Scleroderma-Associated PAH



Remarkable Cases Posters 1: Katie Capp, MD: Humidifier-Associated Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis



Remarkable Cases Posters 2: Sahar Samani, MD: Artifactual Hypoxemia in Patients With Hydroxyurea-Induced Blue Lunula Fingernails


 

CHEST 2021 CHEST Challenge

1st Place

The Ohio State University

Sarah Cohen, MD

Gregory Eisinger, MD

Kyle Stinehart, MD

Program Director: Jennifer McCallister, MD, FCCP



2nd Place

SUNY Buffalo

Arjun Saradna, MBBS

Rajesh Kunadharaju, MD

Ahmed Munir, MBBS

Program Director: Jeffrey Mador, MD



3rd Place

Interfaith Medical Center

Tahmina Jahir, MD

Ruby Risal, MD

Binav Shrestha, MBBS

Program Director: Marie Frances Schmidt, MD, FCCP

ANNUAL AWARDS

Master FCCP

Curtis N. Sessler, MD, Master FCCP



College Medalist Award

Margaret Pisani, MD, MPH, FCCP



Distinguished Service Award

Christopher Carroll, MD, FCCP



Master Clinician Educator

Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP



Early Career Clinician Educator

Matthew C. Miles, MD, FCCP



Alfred Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence

Scott Manaker, MD, PhD, FCCP



Presidential Citation

COVID-19 Task Force

Ryan Maves, MD, FCCP

Christopher Carroll, MD, FCCP

Neha Dangayach, MD

Jeffrey Dichter, MD, FCCP

Alice Gallo De Moraes, MD

James Geiling, MD, MPH, FCCP

Holly Keyt, MD, FCCP

Stephanie M. Levine, MD, FCCP

Septimu Murgu, MD, FCCP

Marcos Restrepo, MD, PhD, FCCP

Steven Q. Simpson, MD, FCCP

Angel Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP

Staff: Katlyn Froslan, Heather Watkins, Robb Rabito, CHCP, Lilly Rodriguez, Karla Velilla
 

HONOR LECTURE AND MEMORIAL AWARDS

Distinguished Scientist Honor Lecture in Cardiopulmonary Physiology

KENNETH I. BERGER, MD, FCCP

Probing the Small Airways in the Assessment of Dyspnea

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Presidential Honor Lecture

CURTIS N. SESSLER, MD, Master FCCP

Navigating the Road to Well-Being in the ICU

Margaret Pfrommer Endowed Memorial Lecture in Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation

DEBRA WEESE-MAYER, MD

Artificial Ventilation, a True Life-Saver for Children with CCHS & ROHHAD

The Margaret Pfrommer Endowed Memorial Lecture in Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation is generously supported by International Ventilator Users Network of Post-Polio Health International and the CHEST Foundation.



RICHARD S. IRWIN, MD, MASTER FCCP HONOR LECTURE

PETER J. MAZZONE, MD, MPH, FCCP

Shared Decision Making in the Evaluation and Management of Early Stage Lung Cancer

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Edward C. Rosenow III, MD, Master FCCP/Master Teacher Honor Lecture

DIANE E. STOVER, MD, FCCP

The Many Faces of Organizing Pneumonia—What’s the O(O)P With That?

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Pasquale Ciaglia Memorial Lecture in Interventional Medicine

MICHAEL J. SIMOFF, MD, FCCP

Robotic Bronchoscopy: Platform to the Future?

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Roger C. Bone Memorial Lecture in Critical Care

OGNJEN GAJIC, MD, FCCP

Patient Comes First: Prioritizing Relevant From Irrelevant in Critical Care Medicine

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Thomas L. Petty, MD, Master FCCP Memorial Lecture

JEAN BOURBEAU, MD, FCCP

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Self-Management in COPD: Understanding the Past to Build the Future

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.
 

CHEST FOUNDATION GRANT AWARDS

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Lung Cancer

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Daniel Ryan, MD, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

Microbial Signatures Associated With Malignant Pleural Effusions in Lung Cancer



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and RHA.



Miguel Divo, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Biomarker Profiles in Smokers Who Are at Risk of Developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This grant is supported by AstraZeneca LP.



Stephen Milne, MBBS, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The Oral Metagenome in COPD: Towards a Biomarker of Exacerbation Risk

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Critical Care

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Jacqueline Stocking, PhD, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

University of California Critical Care Research Collaborative: Predictive Model and Risk Calculator for Early and Late Postoperative Respiratory Failure



CHEST Foundation and the Alpha-1 Foundation Research Grant in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and the Alpha-1 Foundation.



John Charles Rotondo, PhD, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Protein as a Possible Marker of Disease Progression in COVID-19 Patients



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Diseases

This grant is supported by Insmed Incorporated.

Edward Chan, MD, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO

Visualization and Quantitation of Azithromycin, Clofazimine, and Amikacin Distribution in Surgically Removed Lung Tissues From Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Cystic Fibrosis

This grant is supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.



Shahid Sheikh, MD, FCCP, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH

Impact of CFTR Modulator Therapy Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor on CF- Related Chronic Sinus Disease



John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP Research Grant in Sarcoidosis

This grant is in honor of John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP and is jointly supported by the Addrizzo family and the CHEST Foundation.



Maneesh Bhargava, MD, PhD, FCCP, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

Inflammatory Protein Panel for Sarcoidosis Diagnosis and Prognosis



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Severe Asthma

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Felix Reyes, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY

Design and Implementation of an Asthma Action Plan Generator: A Pilot Study Assessing User Satisfaction and Clinical Impact



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Fibrosis

These grants are supported by an independent grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Genentech, Inc.



Marco Mura, MD, PhD, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Validation of the Risk Stratification Score in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis



Janelle Pugashetti, MD, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

Determining Biomarkers of Immunosuppressant Responsiveness in Patients With CTD-ILD

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Hypertension

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Michael Lee, MD, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Transpulmonary Metabolomic Gradients During Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension



Navneet Singh, MD, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Pulmonary Hypertension



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Sleep Medicine

These grants are funded by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



Shahid Karim, MBChB, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Effects of OSA on Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmia in HCM: An Incidence Study



Thomas Tolbert, MD, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY

Performance Characteristics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Physiologic Traits Measured by Phenotyping Using Polysomnography



CHEST Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation Research Grant in Sleep Medicine

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and AASM Foundation.



Marta Kaminska, MD, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

Long-term Noninvasive Ventilation in COPD: Impact on Health Care Utilization



CHEST Foundation and APCCMPD Research Grant in Medical Education

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and APCCMPD.



Mark Adelman, MD, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY

Virtual Reality Simulation Training for the Management of Tracheostomy Emergencies



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in COVID-19

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.
 

Marlene Cano, MD, PhD, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Circulating Mitochondrial DNA Is a Potential Biomarker for Severe Illness in COVID-19



Brandon Walsh, MD, New York University, New York, NY

How Would Existing Ventilator Allocation Guidelines Perform During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Observational Simulated Cohort Study



CHEST Foundation and ATS Research Grant in COVID-19 and Diversity

These grants are jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and ATS.



Navitha Ramesh, MD, FCCP, UPMC Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA

Improving Lung Health in the Nepali- Bhutanese Refugee Community in Harrisburg, PA



Inderjit Singh, MBBCh, Yale University, New Haven, CT

Dynamic Invasive Hemodynamic, Echocardiographic, and Plasma Biomarker Phenotyping in Post-COVID-19 Long Hauler Syndrome
 

CHEST Foundation Community Service Grants Honoring D. Robert McCaffree, MD, Master FCCP

Valerie Andrews, BS, The JUDAHH Project, Sacramento, CA

Asthma Mitigation Project



Chanda Holsey, DrPh, National Medical Association, Silver Spring, MD

Providing Lung Health Education to At Risk Communities



Arzu Ari, PhD, FCCP, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

Training Future Respiratory Care Practitioners in Turkey: A Path to Successful Disease Management in Pulmonary Medicine



Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, MPH, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

The Lung Health Ambassador Program: A Health Equity Initiative for Cystic Fibrosis



Patricia George, MD, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO

Development of Breathe Strong PH: An Informational Website About Pulmonary Hypertension and Related Diseases



Nishant Gupta, MD, MS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Global Dissemination of the Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) Clinical Practice Guidelines



Syed Naqvi, MD, MBBS, Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, Newport Beach, CA

Asthma Managment in Rural Pakistan

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Alfred Soffer Research Award Winners

Mathieu Saint-Pierre, MD: Methacholine Challenge Testing: A Clinical Prediction Model Utilizing Demographic Data And Spirometry Results

Tie: Milind K Bhagat, MD: High Flow Nasal Cannula Fio2 Cutoffs Identified Early In The Hospital Course Are Associated With Increased Mortality Risk In Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

Amber J Meservey, MD: Outcomes Of Patients Across The Spectrum Of Pulmonary Hypertension Groups Prescribed Inhaled Treprostinil



Young Investigator Award Winners

William B. Feldman, MD: COPD Exacerbations And Pneumonia Hospitalizations In New Users Of Combination Maintenance Inhalers: A Comparative Effectiveness And Safety Study



Christopher Streiler, MD: Community Pulmonologist Access To Multidisciplinary Discussion At An Academic Referral Center Leads To Changes In Management Of Interstitial Lung Disease
 

Top 5 Abstract Posters

Winner: Riley Kermanian: Management Of Coronary Artery Calcification In Patients Enrolled In A Low-Dose Computerized Tomography Lung Cancer Screening Program



Winner: Rohit Reddy: Outcomes Of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation In ARDS Due To Covid-19: Comparison Of The First And The Second Wave



Winner: Taylor A. Intihar, BA: Light Patterns Of The Medical ICU: Are We Disrupting Circadian Rhythms?



Runner up: Jason Wong, MD: Completion Of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Is Associated With Improvement In Depression Scores And Other Quality Of Life Measures In Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease



Runner up: Harshil Shah, MD: Impact Of Sepsis On Outcomes Of Hospitalizations Due To COPD
 

Case Report Session Winners

Remarkable Pulmonary Cases: Mena Botros, MD: Clinical Outcomes In Lung Transplant Recipients With SARS-COV2

Bacterial Infections: Benjamin Carmel, DO: Cotton Swab Today, Brain Abscess Tomorrow

Challenging Critical Care Cases: Rajaninder Sharma, MD: Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy: The Rare And Fatal Association Of Adenocarcinoma And Right Ventricular Failure

Diffuse Lung Diseases: Rizwana RR Rana, MBBS: A Rare Cause Of Pulmonary Nodules

Viruses, Fungi, and Parasites Infections: Michelle Forson, MD: Strongyloidiasis-Related Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion: An Unexpected Differential For Post-Cardiac Injury Syndrome

Critical Care Cases: Act Quickly: Christina Jee Ah Rhee, MD: Airway Implications Of Cricoarytenoid Arthritis: A Report And Review Of The Literature

Airway Issues: Benadin Varajic, MD: An Unusual And Life-Threatening Complication Of Endotracheal Intubation

Miscellaneous Cases 1: Shrey Shah, MD: A Case Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension From Vitamin C Deficiency

Miscellaneous Cases 2: Glenn W. Pottmeyer, DO, MPH: Biliary Stent Migration: A Rare Cause Of Right-Sided Pulmonary Abscess



Case Report Poster Winners

Advanced Cancer Case Report Posters: Sangita Goel, MD: Let’s Meet in the Middle: Simultaneous Endoscopic and Bronchoscopic Suture Repair to Close a Left Main-Stem Malignant Broncho-Esophageal Fistula



Cardiovascular Case Report Posters: Marianna Weaver, DO: Swan-Ganz And Intra-Pericardial Pressure Guided Pericardiocentesis in Scleroderma-Associated PAH



Remarkable Cases Posters 1: Katie Capp, MD: Humidifier-Associated Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis



Remarkable Cases Posters 2: Sahar Samani, MD: Artifactual Hypoxemia in Patients With Hydroxyurea-Induced Blue Lunula Fingernails


 

CHEST 2021 CHEST Challenge

1st Place

The Ohio State University

Sarah Cohen, MD

Gregory Eisinger, MD

Kyle Stinehart, MD

Program Director: Jennifer McCallister, MD, FCCP



2nd Place

SUNY Buffalo

Arjun Saradna, MBBS

Rajesh Kunadharaju, MD

Ahmed Munir, MBBS

Program Director: Jeffrey Mador, MD



3rd Place

Interfaith Medical Center

Tahmina Jahir, MD

Ruby Risal, MD

Binav Shrestha, MBBS

Program Director: Marie Frances Schmidt, MD, FCCP

ANNUAL AWARDS

Master FCCP

Curtis N. Sessler, MD, Master FCCP



College Medalist Award

Margaret Pisani, MD, MPH, FCCP



Distinguished Service Award

Christopher Carroll, MD, FCCP



Master Clinician Educator

Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP



Early Career Clinician Educator

Matthew C. Miles, MD, FCCP



Alfred Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence

Scott Manaker, MD, PhD, FCCP



Presidential Citation

COVID-19 Task Force

Ryan Maves, MD, FCCP

Christopher Carroll, MD, FCCP

Neha Dangayach, MD

Jeffrey Dichter, MD, FCCP

Alice Gallo De Moraes, MD

James Geiling, MD, MPH, FCCP

Holly Keyt, MD, FCCP

Stephanie M. Levine, MD, FCCP

Septimu Murgu, MD, FCCP

Marcos Restrepo, MD, PhD, FCCP

Steven Q. Simpson, MD, FCCP

Angel Coz Yataco, MD, FCCP

Staff: Katlyn Froslan, Heather Watkins, Robb Rabito, CHCP, Lilly Rodriguez, Karla Velilla
 

HONOR LECTURE AND MEMORIAL AWARDS

Distinguished Scientist Honor Lecture in Cardiopulmonary Physiology

KENNETH I. BERGER, MD, FCCP

Probing the Small Airways in the Assessment of Dyspnea

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Presidential Honor Lecture

CURTIS N. SESSLER, MD, Master FCCP

Navigating the Road to Well-Being in the ICU

Margaret Pfrommer Endowed Memorial Lecture in Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation

DEBRA WEESE-MAYER, MD

Artificial Ventilation, a True Life-Saver for Children with CCHS & ROHHAD

The Margaret Pfrommer Endowed Memorial Lecture in Home-Based Mechanical Ventilation is generously supported by International Ventilator Users Network of Post-Polio Health International and the CHEST Foundation.



RICHARD S. IRWIN, MD, MASTER FCCP HONOR LECTURE

PETER J. MAZZONE, MD, MPH, FCCP

Shared Decision Making in the Evaluation and Management of Early Stage Lung Cancer

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Edward C. Rosenow III, MD, Master FCCP/Master Teacher Honor Lecture

DIANE E. STOVER, MD, FCCP

The Many Faces of Organizing Pneumonia—What’s the O(O)P With That?

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Pasquale Ciaglia Memorial Lecture in Interventional Medicine

MICHAEL J. SIMOFF, MD, FCCP

Robotic Bronchoscopy: Platform to the Future?

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Roger C. Bone Memorial Lecture in Critical Care

OGNJEN GAJIC, MD, FCCP

Patient Comes First: Prioritizing Relevant From Irrelevant in Critical Care Medicine

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.



Thomas L. Petty, MD, Master FCCP Memorial Lecture

JEAN BOURBEAU, MD, FCCP

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Self-Management in COPD: Understanding the Past to Build the Future

The lecture is generously funded by the CHEST Foundation.
 

CHEST FOUNDATION GRANT AWARDS

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Lung Cancer

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Daniel Ryan, MD, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

Microbial Signatures Associated With Malignant Pleural Effusions in Lung Cancer



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and RHA.



Miguel Divo, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Biomarker Profiles in Smokers Who Are at Risk of Developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This grant is supported by AstraZeneca LP.



Stephen Milne, MBBS, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The Oral Metagenome in COPD: Towards a Biomarker of Exacerbation Risk

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Critical Care

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Jacqueline Stocking, PhD, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

University of California Critical Care Research Collaborative: Predictive Model and Risk Calculator for Early and Late Postoperative Respiratory Failure



CHEST Foundation and the Alpha-1 Foundation Research Grant in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and the Alpha-1 Foundation.



John Charles Rotondo, PhD, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Protein as a Possible Marker of Disease Progression in COVID-19 Patients



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Diseases

This grant is supported by Insmed Incorporated.

Edward Chan, MD, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO

Visualization and Quantitation of Azithromycin, Clofazimine, and Amikacin Distribution in Surgically Removed Lung Tissues From Patients With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Cystic Fibrosis

This grant is supported by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.



Shahid Sheikh, MD, FCCP, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH

Impact of CFTR Modulator Therapy Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor on CF- Related Chronic Sinus Disease



John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP Research Grant in Sarcoidosis

This grant is in honor of John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP and is jointly supported by the Addrizzo family and the CHEST Foundation.



Maneesh Bhargava, MD, PhD, FCCP, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN

Inflammatory Protein Panel for Sarcoidosis Diagnosis and Prognosis



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Severe Asthma

This grant is supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Felix Reyes, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY

Design and Implementation of an Asthma Action Plan Generator: A Pilot Study Assessing User Satisfaction and Clinical Impact



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Fibrosis

These grants are supported by an independent grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Genentech, Inc.



Marco Mura, MD, PhD, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Validation of the Risk Stratification Score in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis



Janelle Pugashetti, MD, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

Determining Biomarkers of Immunosuppressant Responsiveness in Patients With CTD-ILD

CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Pulmonary Hypertension

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Michael Lee, MD, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Transpulmonary Metabolomic Gradients During Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension



Navneet Singh, MD, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Pulmonary Hypertension



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in Sleep Medicine

These grants are funded by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



Shahid Karim, MBChB, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Effects of OSA on Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmia in HCM: An Incidence Study



Thomas Tolbert, MD, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY

Performance Characteristics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Physiologic Traits Measured by Phenotyping Using Polysomnography



CHEST Foundation and American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation Research Grant in Sleep Medicine

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and AASM Foundation.



Marta Kaminska, MD, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

Long-term Noninvasive Ventilation in COPD: Impact on Health Care Utilization



CHEST Foundation and APCCMPD Research Grant in Medical Education

This grant is jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and APCCMPD.



Mark Adelman, MD, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY

Virtual Reality Simulation Training for the Management of Tracheostomy Emergencies



CHEST Foundation Research Grant in COVID-19

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.
 

Marlene Cano, MD, PhD, Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Circulating Mitochondrial DNA Is a Potential Biomarker for Severe Illness in COVID-19



Brandon Walsh, MD, New York University, New York, NY

How Would Existing Ventilator Allocation Guidelines Perform During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Observational Simulated Cohort Study



CHEST Foundation and ATS Research Grant in COVID-19 and Diversity

These grants are jointly supported by the CHEST Foundation and ATS.



Navitha Ramesh, MD, FCCP, UPMC Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA

Improving Lung Health in the Nepali- Bhutanese Refugee Community in Harrisburg, PA



Inderjit Singh, MBBCh, Yale University, New Haven, CT

Dynamic Invasive Hemodynamic, Echocardiographic, and Plasma Biomarker Phenotyping in Post-COVID-19 Long Hauler Syndrome
 

CHEST Foundation Community Service Grants Honoring D. Robert McCaffree, MD, Master FCCP

Valerie Andrews, BS, The JUDAHH Project, Sacramento, CA

Asthma Mitigation Project



Chanda Holsey, DrPh, National Medical Association, Silver Spring, MD

Providing Lung Health Education to At Risk Communities



Arzu Ari, PhD, FCCP, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

Training Future Respiratory Care Practitioners in Turkey: A Path to Successful Disease Management in Pulmonary Medicine



Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, MPH, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

The Lung Health Ambassador Program: A Health Equity Initiative for Cystic Fibrosis



Patricia George, MD, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO

Development of Breathe Strong PH: An Informational Website About Pulmonary Hypertension and Related Diseases



Nishant Gupta, MD, MS, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Global Dissemination of the Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) Clinical Practice Guidelines



Syed Naqvi, MD, MBBS, Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, Newport Beach, CA

Asthma Managment in Rural Pakistan

These grants are supported by the CHEST Foundation.



Alfred Soffer Research Award Winners

Mathieu Saint-Pierre, MD: Methacholine Challenge Testing: A Clinical Prediction Model Utilizing Demographic Data And Spirometry Results

Tie: Milind K Bhagat, MD: High Flow Nasal Cannula Fio2 Cutoffs Identified Early In The Hospital Course Are Associated With Increased Mortality Risk In Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

Amber J Meservey, MD: Outcomes Of Patients Across The Spectrum Of Pulmonary Hypertension Groups Prescribed Inhaled Treprostinil



Young Investigator Award Winners

William B. Feldman, MD: COPD Exacerbations And Pneumonia Hospitalizations In New Users Of Combination Maintenance Inhalers: A Comparative Effectiveness And Safety Study



Christopher Streiler, MD: Community Pulmonologist Access To Multidisciplinary Discussion At An Academic Referral Center Leads To Changes In Management Of Interstitial Lung Disease
 

Top 5 Abstract Posters

Winner: Riley Kermanian: Management Of Coronary Artery Calcification In Patients Enrolled In A Low-Dose Computerized Tomography Lung Cancer Screening Program



Winner: Rohit Reddy: Outcomes Of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation In ARDS Due To Covid-19: Comparison Of The First And The Second Wave



Winner: Taylor A. Intihar, BA: Light Patterns Of The Medical ICU: Are We Disrupting Circadian Rhythms?



Runner up: Jason Wong, MD: Completion Of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Is Associated With Improvement In Depression Scores And Other Quality Of Life Measures In Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease



Runner up: Harshil Shah, MD: Impact Of Sepsis On Outcomes Of Hospitalizations Due To COPD
 

Case Report Session Winners

Remarkable Pulmonary Cases: Mena Botros, MD: Clinical Outcomes In Lung Transplant Recipients With SARS-COV2

Bacterial Infections: Benjamin Carmel, DO: Cotton Swab Today, Brain Abscess Tomorrow

Challenging Critical Care Cases: Rajaninder Sharma, MD: Pulmonary Tumor Thrombotic Microangiopathy: The Rare And Fatal Association Of Adenocarcinoma And Right Ventricular Failure

Diffuse Lung Diseases: Rizwana RR Rana, MBBS: A Rare Cause Of Pulmonary Nodules

Viruses, Fungi, and Parasites Infections: Michelle Forson, MD: Strongyloidiasis-Related Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion: An Unexpected Differential For Post-Cardiac Injury Syndrome

Critical Care Cases: Act Quickly: Christina Jee Ah Rhee, MD: Airway Implications Of Cricoarytenoid Arthritis: A Report And Review Of The Literature

Airway Issues: Benadin Varajic, MD: An Unusual And Life-Threatening Complication Of Endotracheal Intubation

Miscellaneous Cases 1: Shrey Shah, MD: A Case Of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension From Vitamin C Deficiency

Miscellaneous Cases 2: Glenn W. Pottmeyer, DO, MPH: Biliary Stent Migration: A Rare Cause Of Right-Sided Pulmonary Abscess



Case Report Poster Winners

Advanced Cancer Case Report Posters: Sangita Goel, MD: Let’s Meet in the Middle: Simultaneous Endoscopic and Bronchoscopic Suture Repair to Close a Left Main-Stem Malignant Broncho-Esophageal Fistula



Cardiovascular Case Report Posters: Marianna Weaver, DO: Swan-Ganz And Intra-Pericardial Pressure Guided Pericardiocentesis in Scleroderma-Associated PAH



Remarkable Cases Posters 1: Katie Capp, MD: Humidifier-Associated Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis



Remarkable Cases Posters 2: Sahar Samani, MD: Artifactual Hypoxemia in Patients With Hydroxyurea-Induced Blue Lunula Fingernails


 

CHEST 2021 CHEST Challenge

1st Place

The Ohio State University

Sarah Cohen, MD

Gregory Eisinger, MD

Kyle Stinehart, MD

Program Director: Jennifer McCallister, MD, FCCP



2nd Place

SUNY Buffalo

Arjun Saradna, MBBS

Rajesh Kunadharaju, MD

Ahmed Munir, MBBS

Program Director: Jeffrey Mador, MD



3rd Place

Interfaith Medical Center

Tahmina Jahir, MD

Ruby Risal, MD

Binav Shrestha, MBBS

Program Director: Marie Frances Schmidt, MD, FCCP

Revisiting mild asthma: current knowledge and future needs. By Dr. A. Mohan, et al.



Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease. By Dr. D. Griffith, et al.



The utility of the rapid shallow breathing index in predicting successful extubation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. By Dr. K. Burns, et al.



National temporal trends in hospitalization and inpatient mortality in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis in the United States between 2007 – 2018. By Dr. N. Obi Ogugua, et al.



How I Do It: Considering lung transplantation for patients with COVID-19. By Dr. S. Nathan.



Addressing race in pulmonary function testing by aligning intent and evidence with practice and perception. By Dr. N. Bhakta, et al.

Revisiting mild asthma: current knowledge and future needs. By Dr. A. Mohan, et al.



Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease. By Dr. D. Griffith, et al.



The utility of the rapid shallow breathing index in predicting successful extubation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. By Dr. K. Burns, et al.



National temporal trends in hospitalization and inpatient mortality in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis in the United States between 2007 – 2018. By Dr. N. Obi Ogugua, et al.



How I Do It: Considering lung transplantation for patients with COVID-19. By Dr. S. Nathan.



Addressing race in pulmonary function testing by aligning intent and evidence with practice and perception. By Dr. N. Bhakta, et al.

Revisiting mild asthma: current knowledge and future needs. By Dr. A. Mohan, et al.



Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease. By Dr. D. Griffith, et al.



The utility of the rapid shallow breathing index in predicting successful extubation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. By Dr. K. Burns, et al.



National temporal trends in hospitalization and inpatient mortality in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis in the United States between 2007 – 2018. By Dr. N. Obi Ogugua, et al.



How I Do It: Considering lung transplantation for patients with COVID-19. By Dr. S. Nathan.



Addressing race in pulmonary function testing by aligning intent and evidence with practice and perception. By Dr. N. Bhakta, et al.

With this issue, we usher in a new era for CHEST Physician, as I hand over the reins of Editor-in-Chief to Angel Coz, MD, FCCP. I have had the pleasure of serving in this role over the last 4 years, and though I will still have the privilege of appearing within these pages with some frequency as I move into my new role as CHEST President, I would like to mark this milestone by passing along a few thoughts on how CHEST Physician has developed over the last few years, and reflecting on the goals I set for us way back in the January 2018 issue (on page 46 of that issue, for those of you holding on to our back issues).

I’ve always viewed CHEST Physician as “the People’s Paper” of CHEST. While we don’t feature first-run scientific manuscripts and authors aren’t likely to reference our articles in other publications, your editorial board and our partners at Frontline aim to give our readers a broad overview of recent publications and presentations in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, along with expert commentary about how those developments might affect the care we provide to our patients. I can’t thank our editorial board members enough for the hours they spend selecting a small number of items to feature among all of the new medical developments each month.

One of the main goals we had established over the last few years was to create more opportunities for CHEST Physician to serve as the voice of the members and leaders of the American College of Chest Physicians. We achieved the latter part of this goal, with leadership penning quarterly columns on actions of the Board of Regents, developments within the annual meeting, as well as ongoing columns from our NetWorks. And, we have also provided a more reliable voice for our members, with authors of our Sleep Strategies, Critical Care Commentary, and Pulmonary Perspectives columns providing a broader and more representative sample of our membership than ever before.

One of the areas where I would love to see more progress is with reader engagement. It has been a delight to receive feedback from CHEST members, even when the author is taking issue with something we have published. CHEST Physician will be a better publication than it already is with your ongoing input. Please, if you see something that we write that you particularly like (or don’t!) or if there’s something you’d like to see that we haven’t written, please reach out to us! You can always reach us at [email protected].

In closing, I want to thank all of the steadfast CHEST Physician readers for making my 4 years as Editor-in-Chief enjoyable and meaningful. While I am so pleased with the current state of this publication, I cannot wait to see its ongoing evolution under the leadership of Dr. Coz and his editorial board.

With this issue, we usher in a new era for CHEST Physician, as I hand over the reins of Editor-in-Chief to Angel Coz, MD, FCCP. I have had the pleasure of serving in this role over the last 4 years, and though I will still have the privilege of appearing within these pages with some frequency as I move into my new role as CHEST President, I would like to mark this milestone by passing along a few thoughts on how CHEST Physician has developed over the last few years, and reflecting on the goals I set for us way back in the January 2018 issue (on page 46 of that issue, for those of you holding on to our back issues).

I’ve always viewed CHEST Physician as “the People’s Paper” of CHEST. While we don’t feature first-run scientific manuscripts and authors aren’t likely to reference our articles in other publications, your editorial board and our partners at Frontline aim to give our readers a broad overview of recent publications and presentations in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, along with expert commentary about how those developments might affect the care we provide to our patients. I can’t thank our editorial board members enough for the hours they spend selecting a small number of items to feature among all of the new medical developments each month.

One of the main goals we had established over the last few years was to create more opportunities for CHEST Physician to serve as the voice of the members and leaders of the American College of Chest Physicians. We achieved the latter part of this goal, with leadership penning quarterly columns on actions of the Board of Regents, developments within the annual meeting, as well as ongoing columns from our NetWorks. And, we have also provided a more reliable voice for our members, with authors of our Sleep Strategies, Critical Care Commentary, and Pulmonary Perspectives columns providing a broader and more representative sample of our membership than ever before.

One of the areas where I would love to see more progress is with reader engagement. It has been a delight to receive feedback from CHEST members, even when the author is taking issue with something we have published. CHEST Physician will be a better publication than it already is with your ongoing input. Please, if you see something that we write that you particularly like (or don’t!) or if there’s something you’d like to see that we haven’t written, please reach out to us! You can always reach us at [email protected].

In closing, I want to thank all of the steadfast CHEST Physician readers for making my 4 years as Editor-in-Chief enjoyable and meaningful. While I am so pleased with the current state of this publication, I cannot wait to see its ongoing evolution under the leadership of Dr. Coz and his editorial board.

With this issue, we usher in a new era for CHEST Physician, as I hand over the reins of Editor-in-Chief to Angel Coz, MD, FCCP. I have had the pleasure of serving in this role over the last 4 years, and though I will still have the privilege of appearing within these pages with some frequency as I move into my new role as CHEST President, I would like to mark this milestone by passing along a few thoughts on how CHEST Physician has developed over the last few years, and reflecting on the goals I set for us way back in the January 2018 issue (on page 46 of that issue, for those of you holding on to our back issues).

I’ve always viewed CHEST Physician as “the People’s Paper” of CHEST. While we don’t feature first-run scientific manuscripts and authors aren’t likely to reference our articles in other publications, your editorial board and our partners at Frontline aim to give our readers a broad overview of recent publications and presentations in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, along with expert commentary about how those developments might affect the care we provide to our patients. I can’t thank our editorial board members enough for the hours they spend selecting a small number of items to feature among all of the new medical developments each month.

One of the main goals we had established over the last few years was to create more opportunities for CHEST Physician to serve as the voice of the members and leaders of the American College of Chest Physicians. We achieved the latter part of this goal, with leadership penning quarterly columns on actions of the Board of Regents, developments within the annual meeting, as well as ongoing columns from our NetWorks. And, we have also provided a more reliable voice for our members, with authors of our Sleep Strategies, Critical Care Commentary, and Pulmonary Perspectives columns providing a broader and more representative sample of our membership than ever before.

One of the areas where I would love to see more progress is with reader engagement. It has been a delight to receive feedback from CHEST members, even when the author is taking issue with something we have published. CHEST Physician will be a better publication than it already is with your ongoing input. Please, if you see something that we write that you particularly like (or don’t!) or if there’s something you’d like to see that we haven’t written, please reach out to us! You can always reach us at [email protected].

In closing, I want to thank all of the steadfast CHEST Physician readers for making my 4 years as Editor-in-Chief enjoyable and meaningful. While I am so pleased with the current state of this publication, I cannot wait to see its ongoing evolution under the leadership of Dr. Coz and his editorial board.