At its core, the American Thoracic Society is a community, defined not only by clinical and scientific excellence but by a shared commitment to advancing lung health worldwide. I was reminded of the power of our community recently while attending a meeting overseas when several long-time ATS members started to compare their ATS membership numbers, printed on their business cards. What seemed like a small detail – a low number – had become a badge of honor, signaling years of service, contribution, and belonging to the Society.
Their pride underscored something I have long believed: that membership in the ATS is far more meaningful than dues or benefits. It is a shared identity, a source of purpose, and a sense of connection. That spirit of togetherness is why I am excited to introduce ATS NOW: Tailored education—anytime, anywhere, our new multimedia, on-demand learning platform driven by AI. Think of it as Netflix for pulmonologists: a personalized way to explore the ATS 2026 International Conference highlights, webinars, and educational content tailored to your needs and areas of specific interests.
This year, your ATS 2026 registration will automatically include complimentary access, giving you an AI-curated collection of recorded conference sessions, key presentations, and additional learning content at no added cost through Dec. 31, 2026. This new tool will especially help those members not able to travel to Florida. ATS Now delivers flexible, tailored education – anytime, anywhere – and is a powerful resource to level up your conference experience.
Ideas That Shape Science, Policy, and Practice
A hallmark of the ATS International Conference is its keynote speaker series, which brings thought-leading voices to the global respiratory community and is designed to illuminate the broader forces shaping health and science. On Sunday, May 17, attendees will hear from Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH, a former senior official at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who is serving on the transition team for New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and next month will take on the role of chief medical officer of the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. Widely known for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox response, Dr. Daskalakis has been a prominent advocate for science-based public health, health equity, and community-centered approaches to disease prevention. His keynote will explore the urgent need to rebuild trust in public health systems to protect population health now and in the future.
Monday’s keynote will feature Stephen I. Vladeck, JD, a leading constitutional law scholar and professor at Georgetown University Law Center whose work focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts, and national security law. A widely respected legal commentator, Professor Vladeck brings clarity to complex legal questions with direct implications for science, medicine, and public policy. His address will examine how the courts shape regulatory authority, public health protections, and the legal frameworks that influence medical research and clinical practice, offering attendees critical insight into the evolving intersection of law, governance, and health.
These keynote sessions offer just a glimpse of the compelling voices and ideas that will be featured throughout ATS 2026, from the keynote speakers in the Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session to the myriad scientific sessions designed to spark dialogue, advance discovery, and strengthen our shared mission: to help the world breathe.
Protecting the Future of Respiratory Health
Last year, ATS staff representing government relations and diversity, equity, and community outreach departments participated in the 2025 meeting of the Florida Thoracic Society. They actively listened to our members, seeking advice on the best ways for our Society to assist them and their patients at ATS 2026 and beyond.
New to this year’s conference, we are introducing a robust series of advocacy seminars led by the ATS’s policy committees – featuring the legislative, regulatory and court advocacy that ATS members are doing on behalf of the entire respiratory community. These small group seminars will provide attendees with insights on current ATS advocacy efforts and give guidance on how ATS members can get engaged to protect and improve lung health.
The International Conference will also provide meaningful opportunities to interact with the local community through partners including the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida with whom we will be hosting our second Breaking Barriers event. This program will welcome youth for a panel-style session with the ATS’s Executive Committee and volunteers, as well as the Florida Thoracic Society and others, followed by an interactive networking hour allowing participants to connect one-on-one with volunteers and mentors.
Among other initiatives, we’ll also be supporting local LGBT community partner the Center Orlando, and their Pride pantry, to help address food insecurity in the city. They serve more than 300 families and individuals each month, and the ATS is proud to rally the global respiratory community in support of this impactful local initiative.
These efforts reflect ATS’s commitment to making an impact where we gather, and yet the Society’s reach extends far beyond the host city.
Global Impact Through MECOR
In Orlando, the Society’s international impact will be on full display through our long-running MECOR (Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Operations Research) program, which now spans multiple regions including Africa, Southeast Asia, China, India, Latin America, and Türkiye. Across these regions, MECOR delivers structured training, mentorship, and networking that strengthen local research capacity and foster enduring collaborations.
This global footprint continues to expand with the integration of the Women’s Leadership Program into MECOR Africa and Level 2 online offerings at the global and Türkiye levels, ensuring that professional development is embedded alongside scientific training. In December 2026, ATS will further elevate this commitment through a MECOR Global Level 4 course, where leadership will be the central focus for top-performing students drawn from across all MECOR programs worldwide.
These initiatives highlight the program’s achievements and global reach, bringing together alumni, faculty, and participants while underscoring ATS’s sustained investment in cultivating leaders, advancing equity, and building research excellence that translates into real-world impact across the globe.
Purpose and Possibility
As you begin thinking about your plans for Orlando, I encourage you to explore the session information now available on ATSConference365 and start building a personalized itinerary for ATS 2026. The platform makes it easy to browse the full program, learn more about featured speakers and events, and save the sessions that align most closely with your clinical interests and research priorities. My hope is that this helps you make the most of your time at the conference, ensuring you don’t miss the conversations, discoveries, and connections that matter most to you, your team members, and your patients.
As we look ahead to ATS 2026, the team will continue sharing International Conference updates and I encourage you to register early, as this year’s event will continue to be the premier place to present your work, learn, and connect with your colleagues. I attended my first ATS International Conference in 1994 and haven’t missed a single one to date. The lifelong relationships I’ve made and guidance I’ve received reflect the enduring values of ATS membership: respect, integrity, and inclusion – together, we can continue to shape the future of respiratory health!
I look forward to seeing you there.
Warm regards,
Raed A. Dweik, MD, MBA, ATSF
President, American Thoracic Society