About
The annual ATS Diversity Forum celebrates diversity within the fields of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine and research. All ATS members are invited to attend this inspiring event, which provides valuable career insights and networking opportunities.
This year’s theme is “Resilience in a Time of Challenge.” We are thrilled to welcome our featured speaker, Jennifer L. Taylor, MD, MSCS, ATSF, who will bring this theme to life in a truly impactful way.
Jennifer L. Taylor, MD, MSCS, ATSF
Chair, American Thoracic Society International Conference Committee
Medical Director, Clinical Research Services
Co-Director and CF TDC Director, Adult CF Program
National Jewish Health
Dr. Taylor-Cousar is a tenured professor of adult and pediatric pulmonary medicine at National Jewish Health (NJH), where she serves as Medical Director of Clinical Research Services, co-director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Program, and Director of the CF Therapeutics Development Network center. After receiving her undergraduate degree in human biology from Stanford University, she went on to receive her MD, combined internal medicine/pediatrics residency, and pulmonary Fellowship at Duke University, as well as a Master of Clinical Science from the University of Colorado. A leader in clinical trial design and conduct, she has served as national and global primary investigator on numerous CF pharmaceutical trials and co-leads the 41-site MAYFLOWERS study on maternal and fetal outcomes in the era of modulators. Her research also explores respiratory disease in orangutans, and she has authored over 160 manuscripts, a book, and multiple chapters. She holds editorial roles with the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis and Lancet Respiratory Medicine and chairs the American Thoracic Society International Conference Committee (2025–2027).
Beyond research, Dr. Taylor-Cousar is a strong advocate for racial justice and health equity in CF care. She co-founded NJH’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion council and served as interim Associate Vice President of DEI. Nationally, she has contributed to initiatives such as the CFF Racial Justice Working Group, ATS workshops on systemic racism in pediatric asthma, and NIH advisory efforts focused on equity in CF research. She collaborates with patient organizations to raise awareness of CF in people of color. Her achievements have earned her election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation and numerous honors, including the ATS Distinguished Achievement Award (2023), Emily’s Entourage CF Trailblazer Award (2022), and Cystic Fibrosis Research Incorporated CF Champion Award (2021).
We also honor the recipients of the Underrepresented Trainee Development Scholarships (UTDS). These scholarships are designed to help increase diversity among underrepresented trainees in medicine by sponsoring attendance at the ATS International Conference. Recipients are selected based on the quality of the science presented in their submitted abstracts, along with other criteria.
The recipient of the ATS Fellowship in Health Equity and Diversity will also be recognized during the forum. These fellowships support senior fellows, postdoctoral trainees, and junior faculty in advancing health equity through research, clinical care, education, and policy initiatives for patients with respiratory diseases, critical illness or injury, and sleep-disordered breathing.
The Diversity Forum is organized and presented by the ATS Health Equity and Diversity Committee. This year’s event will be hosted by the committee’s chair, Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, MD, MS. The Underrepresented Trainee Development Scholarships and the Health Equity and Diversity Fellowship award are supported by the American Thoracic Society.