The ATS recently joined the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the American Society for Hematology, and other health organizations, in hosting a Capitol Hill reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Patricia Rivera MD, ATSF, president of the ATS and Karen Collishaw, CAE, ATS chief executive officer represented the Society at the event, which highlighted NHLBI’s 75 years of bringing research to life and envisioning future scientific opportunities. During the event, Dr. Rivera offered congratulatory remarks at the reception and “acknowledged the myriad accomplishments of NHLBI researchers and their significant contributions to advance the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of common and rare respiratory diseases in adult and pediatric populations. These include the organization’s work with the Lung Transplant Consortium to advance the field of lung transplantation and its work implementing the COPD National Action Plan, a blueprint for a multi-faceted and unified fight against the disease.
Dr. Rivera also highlighted the NHLBI’s efforts to diversify the scientific workforce. “In keeping with the priorities of the ATS, we commend the NHLBI for its commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of biomedical research,” she said at the event. “The Institute’s investment in addressing social determinants of health is an opportunity to further promote patient-centered research.”
The reception featured a special musical guest, Caesar Sant, who began playing the violin at age two. Caesar was born with sickle cell anemia and underwent a successful bone marrow transplant at the National Institutes of Health.