The ATS 2025 International Conference in San Francisco this year was a hub for groundbreaking science and clinical innovation, as well as a vibrant celebration of the diverse communities that make up the American Thoracic Society.
Three key events brought members together in the spirit of connection, advocacy, and belonging.
Diversity Forum
Taking place on Sunday, May 18, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, the Diversity Forum gave attendees the opportunity to celebrate young scholars and hear a keynote address from Terri Laguna, MD, ATSF, division head of pulmonary and sleep medicine and professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, chair of the LGBTQIA+ Interest Group, and current chair of the Council of the ATS.
“We are being hit constantly by messaging from leaders, from the federal administration, from all over the place, that we are less than,” said Dr. Laguna. “I want everyone to know that everything you bring, your intersectional identities and who you are, matters.”
Dr. Laguna pursued her medical education and career to achieve one of her childhood aspirations: to help kids like herself who played sports and had asthma. Her journey took her to California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, and Washington. Along the way, she became a senior leader in a field where she “viscerally realized that I didn’t look like other people,” often in multiple ways. For example, the Association of American Medical Colleges’ State of Women in Academic Medicine 2023-2024 report showed that “women of Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin [sic]” comprised only 5.9 percent of all residents from 2022-2023 and only 3.8 percent of full-time faculty from 2013-2023.
Dr. Laguna said her first experience learning to make alliances and professional connections with people “like her” was through the ATS. “There are not that many people who look like us in our field, and sometimes it takes coming to ATS to find our people,” she said. “I found my voice, my platform, and my people here at ATS.”
Attendees left this year’s Diversity Forum with renewed commitment to advancing DEI within their own institutions and across the respiratory health community.
LGBTQIA Reception
Sponsored this year by Genentech, Inc. and United Therapeutics, the LGBTQIA Reception at ATS 2025 took place on Tuesday, May 20, at the Intercontinental San Francisco. It was once again a resounding success, providing a supportive and welcoming space for ATS members of the LGBTQIA community and allies to connect, share experiences, and strengthen the group’s presence at the International Conference.
Co-Vice Chair Ethan Fechter-Leggett, DVM, MPVM, stressed how critical the reception remains to the ATS community. “This event is more than a gathering – it’s a lifeline,” he said. “It reminds us why visibility and advocacy matter so deeply, especially when circumstances make participation more challenging.” Dr. Fechter-Leggett was unable to attend ATS 2025 due to travel restrictions that were in place at the time but emphasized that he is looking “very much forward” to ATS 2026, because “our work is just beginning; it becomes even more urgent as we look ahead."
The LGBTQIA+ Interest Group continues to seek members and volunteers to help expand programming and community support for the ATS 2026 International Conference, which will take place in Orlando, Fla.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Reception
The 4th Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Reception was held on Tuesday, May 20, at the Intercontinental San Francisco. This informal networking event brought together ATS members dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. Against the backdrop of the Pacific Terrace’s skyline views, attendees enjoyed meaningful conversations, built new professional relationships, and explored opportunities for future collaboration.
Their insights helped shape programming that reflected the city’s diversity, strengthened community ties, and created opportunities for ongoing engagement long after the conference concluded. “The DEI Reception was more than a networking event, it was a space where our members could connect authentically, celebrating the diversity of our community, and sparking collaborations far beyond the conference,” said Jamil Paden, director, Diversity, Equity, and Community Outreach, ATS.
“Bringing people together in such an inspiring setting allows us to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build trust. Those connections strengthen our professional community and create opportunities for meaningful work in diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging that will continue long after the end of ATS 2025.”
Onwards and Upwards in Orlando
By centering DEI-focused events within the heart of the International Conference, ATS showed that inclusion wasn’t just an add-on to the agenda – it was the agenda. From elevating underrepresented voices to providing spaces for authentic connection, members demonstrated how shared values can translate into meaningful action. “Our programs won’t be the same in Orlando,” Paden added. “They may be similar, but it really depends on the needs of the community and the challenges they face. As ATS staff, we don’t ‘take the lead’ on planning so much as we listen to the needs of those that may be marginalized and ensure their needs are met at conference.”
Reflecting on the broader impact of these initiatives, Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, MD, MS, ATSF, chair, Health Equity and Diversity Committee, and member of the Council of the ATS, emphasized their significance. “Each of these events – from the Diversity Forum to the LGBTQIA+ Reception to the DEI Reception – creates space for our members to be seen and heard,” she said. “They remind us that advancing respiratory health depends on elevating diverse voices and perspectives. These initiatives are not peripheral to our mission; they are central to shaping the future of ATS.”
As we look ahead to Orlando in 2026, the ATS team will bring the same commitment to listening, learning, and collaborating with diverse members of the global respiratory community to ensure that its work is as inclusive as it is scientifically impactful.
Thank you, San Francisco. Until next time!