Getting to know our incoming CHEST President

Dr. Barbara A. Phillips, MSPH, FCCP, will be welcomed as CHEST’s new President during the CHEST 2015 Annual Meeting in Montréal next month. She is a Professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Director, Sleep Laboratory at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine.

 After joining CHEST as an affiliate member in 1982, Dr. Phillips advanced to Fellow in 1983. She became a member of the Sleep Medicine NetWork and a CHEST Governor for Kentucky. She has chaired the Sleep Institute and is Deputy Editor, SEEK Editorial Board Sleep Medicine (Second and Third Editions). Dr. Phillips chaired the National Sleep Foundation and has served on the Boards of the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Phillips received a Sleep Academic Award from the National Institutes of Health and was presented with the College Medalist Award at CHEST 2013. Dr. Phillips’ research interests are effects of sleep apnea on performance and outcomes, genetic risk factors for sleep apnea, nonpharmacologic treatment of sleep apnea, and sleep in aging.

We asked Dr. Phillips for some thoughts on her upcoming CHEST presidency.

1. What would you like to accomplish as President of CHEST?

I’d like to help the organization continue its remarkable growth and modernization. In the past few years, we have expanded our mission and membership, built new headquarters, developed an empowered and effective Board, launched a new take on global meetings with CHEST World Congress (come to Shanghai in April!), brought our technology infrastructure up to speed, undergone a rebranding process, and seen remarkable growth in the strength of our journal. That’s a lot! I personally don’t have any great new projects planned beyond what we’ve outlined in our strategic plan that runs through 2017; I just want to make sure we stay on course, ensure further diversification of our staff and membership, and continue to fulfill our ambitious mission.

2. What do you consider to be the greatest strength of CHEST, and how will you build upon this during your Presidency?

Our greatest strength lies with our talented human resources, both members and staff, who are committing to ensuring that CHEST remains the global (or as I like to say, “intergalactic”) leader in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine education.

3. What are some challenges facing CHEST, and how will you address these challenges?

Communication, capacity, and competition.

CHEST is a large organization with many moving parts, and excellent, timely communication between our leaders, members, and staff is an important challenge for us.

In order to achieve our mission, “To champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research,” we need boots on the ground. CHEST is working to build capacity among both membership and staff to take us to the next level.

Competition for members is also a significant challenge for CHEST and for medical organizations in general. For example, in the 1950s, about 75% of US physicians were American Medical Association (AMA) members. That percentage has steadily decreased over the years, to about 15% today. At CHEST, we’re pleased to be able to say that we have 85% of US physicians specializing in pulmonary and critical care as members, plus nearly 50% of those in sleep medicine and pediatric pulmonology. But there is no cause for complacency. Busy professionals will only join organizations that are relevant and helpful to their lives. CHEST strives to meet that challenge.

4. And finally, what is your charge to the members and new Fellows of CHEST?

First, WELCOME! Second, please get involved. Join a NetWork (or two). Connect with other members through the e-Community. Attend the annual meeting. Submit your research and case reports. Organize a session submission. Volunteer for a committee. And please come meet us. We want to know you!

Dr. Barbara A. Phillips, MSPH, FCCP, will be welcomed as CHEST’s new President during the CHEST 2015 Annual Meeting in Montréal next month. She is a Professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Director, Sleep Laboratory at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine.

 After joining CHEST as an affiliate member in 1982, Dr. Phillips advanced to Fellow in 1983. She became a member of the Sleep Medicine NetWork and a CHEST Governor for Kentucky. She has chaired the Sleep Institute and is Deputy Editor, SEEK Editorial Board Sleep Medicine (Second and Third Editions). Dr. Phillips chaired the National Sleep Foundation and has served on the Boards of the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Phillips received a Sleep Academic Award from the National Institutes of Health and was presented with the College Medalist Award at CHEST 2013. Dr. Phillips’ research interests are effects of sleep apnea on performance and outcomes, genetic risk factors for sleep apnea, nonpharmacologic treatment of sleep apnea, and sleep in aging.

We asked Dr. Phillips for some thoughts on her upcoming CHEST presidency.

1. What would you like to accomplish as President of CHEST?

I’d like to help the organization continue its remarkable growth and modernization. In the past few years, we have expanded our mission and membership, built new headquarters, developed an empowered and effective Board, launched a new take on global meetings with CHEST World Congress (come to Shanghai in April!), brought our technology infrastructure up to speed, undergone a rebranding process, and seen remarkable growth in the strength of our journal. That’s a lot! I personally don’t have any great new projects planned beyond what we’ve outlined in our strategic plan that runs through 2017; I just want to make sure we stay on course, ensure further diversification of our staff and membership, and continue to fulfill our ambitious mission.

2. What do you consider to be the greatest strength of CHEST, and how will you build upon this during your Presidency?

Our greatest strength lies with our talented human resources, both members and staff, who are committing to ensuring that CHEST remains the global (or as I like to say, “intergalactic”) leader in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine education.

3. What are some challenges facing CHEST, and how will you address these challenges?

Communication, capacity, and competition.

CHEST is a large organization with many moving parts, and excellent, timely communication between our leaders, members, and staff is an important challenge for us.

In order to achieve our mission, “To champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research,” we need boots on the ground. CHEST is working to build capacity among both membership and staff to take us to the next level.

Competition for members is also a significant challenge for CHEST and for medical organizations in general. For example, in the 1950s, about 75% of US physicians were American Medical Association (AMA) members. That percentage has steadily decreased over the years, to about 15% today. At CHEST, we’re pleased to be able to say that we have 85% of US physicians specializing in pulmonary and critical care as members, plus nearly 50% of those in sleep medicine and pediatric pulmonology. But there is no cause for complacency. Busy professionals will only join organizations that are relevant and helpful to their lives. CHEST strives to meet that challenge.

4. And finally, what is your charge to the members and new Fellows of CHEST?

First, WELCOME! Second, please get involved. Join a NetWork (or two). Connect with other members through the e-Community. Attend the annual meeting. Submit your research and case reports. Organize a session submission. Volunteer for a committee. And please come meet us. We want to know you!

Dr. Barbara A. Phillips, MSPH, FCCP, will be welcomed as CHEST’s new President during the CHEST 2015 Annual Meeting in Montréal next month. She is a Professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Director, Sleep Laboratory at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine.

 After joining CHEST as an affiliate member in 1982, Dr. Phillips advanced to Fellow in 1983. She became a member of the Sleep Medicine NetWork and a CHEST Governor for Kentucky. She has chaired the Sleep Institute and is Deputy Editor, SEEK Editorial Board Sleep Medicine (Second and Third Editions). Dr. Phillips chaired the National Sleep Foundation and has served on the Boards of the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Phillips received a Sleep Academic Award from the National Institutes of Health and was presented with the College Medalist Award at CHEST 2013. Dr. Phillips’ research interests are effects of sleep apnea on performance and outcomes, genetic risk factors for sleep apnea, nonpharmacologic treatment of sleep apnea, and sleep in aging.

We asked Dr. Phillips for some thoughts on her upcoming CHEST presidency.

1. What would you like to accomplish as President of CHEST?

I’d like to help the organization continue its remarkable growth and modernization. In the past few years, we have expanded our mission and membership, built new headquarters, developed an empowered and effective Board, launched a new take on global meetings with CHEST World Congress (come to Shanghai in April!), brought our technology infrastructure up to speed, undergone a rebranding process, and seen remarkable growth in the strength of our journal. That’s a lot! I personally don’t have any great new projects planned beyond what we’ve outlined in our strategic plan that runs through 2017; I just want to make sure we stay on course, ensure further diversification of our staff and membership, and continue to fulfill our ambitious mission.

2. What do you consider to be the greatest strength of CHEST, and how will you build upon this during your Presidency?

Our greatest strength lies with our talented human resources, both members and staff, who are committing to ensuring that CHEST remains the global (or as I like to say, “intergalactic”) leader in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine education.

3. What are some challenges facing CHEST, and how will you address these challenges?

Communication, capacity, and competition.

CHEST is a large organization with many moving parts, and excellent, timely communication between our leaders, members, and staff is an important challenge for us.

In order to achieve our mission, “To champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research,” we need boots on the ground. CHEST is working to build capacity among both membership and staff to take us to the next level.

Competition for members is also a significant challenge for CHEST and for medical organizations in general. For example, in the 1950s, about 75% of US physicians were American Medical Association (AMA) members. That percentage has steadily decreased over the years, to about 15% today. At CHEST, we’re pleased to be able to say that we have 85% of US physicians specializing in pulmonary and critical care as members, plus nearly 50% of those in sleep medicine and pediatric pulmonology. But there is no cause for complacency. Busy professionals will only join organizations that are relevant and helpful to their lives. CHEST strives to meet that challenge.

4. And finally, what is your charge to the members and new Fellows of CHEST?

First, WELCOME! Second, please get involved. Join a NetWork (or two). Connect with other members through the e-Community. Attend the annual meeting. Submit your research and case reports. Organize a session submission. Volunteer for a committee. And please come meet us. We want to know you!