Co-Chairs
Terri Laguna, MD, MSCS, ATSF (Chair)
Division Head, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Seattle Children's Hospital
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Washington School of Medicine
M. Bradley Drummond, MD, MHS (Vice-Chair)
Professor of Medicine
Associate Division Chief of Outpatient Services
Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Mission Statement
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual plus those who do not identify as heterosexual or cisgender) Interest Group strives to foster an inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies within the respiratory, sleep, and critical care fields. Our mission is to promote health equity, advance research, and improve healthcare access and outcomes for LGBTQIA+ patients by addressing unique health disparities and supporting our workforce. We are committed to educating healthcare professionals, advocating for policy changes, and championing the voices of LGBTQIA+ individuals in our society. Through collaboration, mentorship, and community engagement, we work to create an environment that values diversity, respects identities, and empowers all individuals to thrive.
LGBTQIA+ Interest Group Objectives
Through engagement with ATS membership, the ATS Health Equity and Diversity Committee (HEDC), and partnership with LGBTQIA+ interest groups from other professional organizations, we aim to:
- Increase visibility of issues impacting LGBTQIA+ patients and their healthcare providers and provide a community of collaboration and support.
- Mentor and sponsor LGBTQIA+ trainees to pursue careers in pulmonary and sleep medicine.
- Facilitate the pursuit of research efforts focused on advancing LGBTQIA+ health initiatives.
- Advocate for the rights of LGBTQIA+ patients, families, and their providers.
For inquiries regarding the LGBTQIA+ Interest Group please contact ATS staff Jamil Paden at jpaden@thoracic.org or Kimberly Lawrence at klawrence@thoracic.org.