Meet the 2026 Awardee: Catherine L. "Terri" Hough, MD, MSc, ATSF
Catherine L. “Terri” Hough, MD, MSc, ATSF, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where she leads nationally recognized research in pulmonary and critical care medicine. A board-certified pulmonary and critical care physician, she has maintained continuous NIH funding since 2003, serving as principal investigator on multiple major studies and networks, including the NHLBI ARDS Clinical Trials Network and the PETAL Network. Her work aims to improve long-term outcomes after critical illness—particularly acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis—through large-scale observational research and intervention trials that seek to reduce disability, support recovery, and address the intersection of post-ICU health with mental health and health equity. Current projects examine post-hospital outcomes after respiratory viral infections, optimize care transitions following pneumonia, and test interventions to improve psychological well-being after hospitalization.
In addition to her research, Dr. Hough directs OHSU’s KL2 Career Development Program, advancing training for early-career health scientists, and is deeply committed to mentorship, faculty development, and building inclusive academic cultures across people and professions. She combines scientific rigor, clinical expertise, and national leadership to advance critical care while mentoring the next generation of investigators—and she thrives on collaboration, valuing the opportunity to work with teams and learn from others.
Dr. Hough has been a member of the American Thoracic Society and the Critical Care Assembly for over 25 years. She has had the honor to serve in many different roles, including Program Committee Chair, Assembly Chair, and a member of the ATS Board of Directors. The ATS has always been her professional home and such an important source of collaboration, discovery, inspiration, and friendship over the years.c.
Description
This award is given in appreciation of a career devoted to research, and teaching of the science and practice of critical care medicine, as well as outstanding service to the Assembly on Critical Care. The awardee will be honored at the CC Assembly gathering at the ATS International Conference and receive a monetary award of up to $500.
Criteria
- An active clinician or investigator in critical care medicine ~ 16 years since completion of training (i.e., fellowship or terminal doctoral degree, whichever was completed/awarded latest)
- Recognized for making outstanding contributions to the international science or practice of CC medicine.
- Recognized by his/her peers as an outstanding clinician and/or researcher, teacher, and mentor.
- A CCA member (primary or secondary).
- Contributions to the CC Assembly in the form of committee participation or leadership, promoting CCA diversity, and/or otherwise advancing the CCA’s mission will be viewed favorably.
The nomination package must include a nomination letter touching on all four-scoring metrics (see below scoring rubric) from one or more members of ATS describing why the award is merited. Nominators should note in their letter any extenuating circumstances affecting the nominee. The curriculum vitae from the candidate must also be included with the nomination packet. Unawarded nominations from prior years do not carry over and should be resubmitted; previous awardees are not eligible for the same award.
Scoring Rubric
Applicants are scored on 4 criteria using a 1-5 rating system (with 1 being the best) across the below categories. In the event that none of the nominees in a given category receive an average score ≤3, the Planning Committee may choose to defer granting an award in that category that year. If the Planning Committee does not receive any eligible nominations in a given category (e.g., CCA member, active clinician/investigator for roughly the stated time frame), the Committee may choose to nominate an individual, who must be unanimously approved by all members in order to receive the award.
- Scientific Contributions/Products (which may include research articles, data, reagents, software, and intellectual property)
- Teaching/Mentoring/Educational/Advocacy Contributions
- Participation in Assembly and ATS Activities (administrative, committees, workshops etc.)
- Overall impact/impression of dossier submitted for award application