Note From the ATS Board of Directors and International Conference Committee Chairs:
Our Society’s mission compels us to advance science and advocate for health equity, especially where these values are under threat. By bringing our community together in Florida, we will use our presence to uphold and amplify these principles. Strength in numbers is powerful, and we aim to advocate for all in Orlando.
The Power of Showing Up: 82 percent of ATS 2025 participants surveyed have already confirmed plans to attend ATS 2026. Your presence will contribute to a powerful statement. Together, we can help advance cutting-edge science, support the next generation of professionals, and affirm our unwavering commitment to patients and members in Florida, and to respiratory health for all.
Respecting Individual Decisions:
As your ATS leadership, we recognize the impact of recent policies in Florida on public health and inclusivity. We know that these policies affect many of our membership and may influence the decision to travel to Orlando for ATS 2026. For those planning to attend the international conference, know that safety plans and creating opportunities for on-the-ground advocacy are our top priorities.
We understand that attending the conference is a personal choice. For those who choose not to travel to Florida, the ATS 2026 On-Demand package will be available as an alternative to in-person participation.
How the ATS is preparing for our International Conference in Orlando:
- Prioritizing Your Well-being and Creating a Welcoming Environment within the Convention Center: While we recognize that we cannot impact state or federal laws, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Our security protocols (like those in San Francisco) will be fully in effect. We are working closely with our Health Equity and Advocacy Committee and our LGBTQIA+ Interest Group to remain informed of the ever-shifting climate. We will provide updates on Florida’s evolving legal landscape, particularly where it affects marginalized communities - for example, individuals who are pregnant or may become pregnant.
- To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, our convention center will feature gender-neutral restrooms, and our LGBTQIA+ interest group has proposed two symposia, which were accepted, and advocacy activities.
- Conference Programming: The ATS 2026 program includes sessions designed to reflect the breadth of our membership and our mission: advancing science and advocating for health equity.
- Engaging Directly in Florida: We are partnering with the Florida Thoracic Society, local charities, and community organizations to raise a unified voice against unscientific policies - from vaccines to climate change - and to support both our Florida members and the community health advocates.
- Guidance for International Participants: We recognize that many advocacy issues are of direct relevance to our international membership as well. As with ATS 2025 and each conference before it, we shall continue to provide the latest guidance on our conference website and a forthcoming WhatsApp channel regarding tips for obtaining a visa and how to navigate challenges with customs agents at U.S. airports for international participants. For ATS 2025, we were excited to see the same rates of attendance of our international membership as in previous years, with thousands of participants from more than 100 countries.
- Advocate at Every Level: Our presence in Orlando is part of a much larger advocacy effort. From our Washington, D.C. office to the courts, we are pressing for robust NIH funding, evidence-based public health policies, and environmental protections. By standing together, the ATS community will positively impact science and patients, patient advocacy groups, members of the local community, and our convention partners. We encourage you to join us in Florida, where your presence will strengthen our collective voice.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the ATS.
Raed Dweik, MD, MBA, ATSF, President
Michelle Ng Gong, MD, MS, ATSF, President-Elect
Jesse Roman, MD, ATSF, Secretary
Irina Petrache, MD, ATSF, Immediate Past President
Gregory Tino, MD, ATSF, Treasurer
Karen J. Collishaw, MPP, CAE, Chief Executive Officer
Debra Boyer, MD, MPHE, ATSF, at-large director
Sushma Cribbs, MD, MSCR, ATSF, at-large director
Erick Forno, MD, MPH, ATSF, at-large director
David Lewinsohn, MD, PhD, ATSF, at-large director
Kathleen Lindell, PhD, RN, ATSF, at-large director
Kari Luther Rosbeck, Public Member (PAR)
Yolanda Mageto, MD, MPH, ATSF, at-large director
Bethany Moore, PhD, ATSF, at-large director
Patricia Sime, MD, FRCP, FACP, ATSF, at-large director
Renee Stapleton, MD, PhD, ATSF, at-large director
Terri A. Laguna, MD, Msci, ATSF, Chair, Council of ATS (Non-voting Observer)
Jennifer L. Taylor-Cousar, MD, MSCS, ATSF, Chair, International Conference Committee
Paul Robinson, MD, PhD, ATSF, Chair-appointee, International Conference Committee