Meet the 2026 Awardee: Abebaw M. Yohannes, PhD, MSc, PT, ATSF
Professor Abebaw Mengistu Yohannes PhD, MSc, PT, ATSF is a researcher, mentor, and educator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in the Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, and with a secondary appointment as Professor in Heersink School of Medicine, in the Pulmonary/Allergy/Critical Care Division of the Department of Medicine.
A member of ATS since 2012, he served as a member of scientific conference organizing committee of the ATS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly. He has mentored ATS early career researchers and under-represented minorities mentoring program. He participated in the update of the ATS Pulmonary Rehabilitation guidelines as a committee member. In 2025, Professor Yohannes recognized as a Distinguished CHEST Educator for dedication, commitment, and excellence in continuing medical education on global scale.
To date, Professor Yohannes co-authored 139 peer-reviewed research papers and gave over 165 presentations at national and international conferences, emphasizing the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic respiratory diseases. He wrote ten book chapters and co-edited one book. Professor Yohannes work focuses on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its comorbidities, especially the impact of anxiety and depression in patients with COPD, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and bronchiectasis and exploring the benefits of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. His notable contributions include designing the Manchester Respiratory Activities of Daily Living Scale and the Anxiety Inventory for Respiratory Disease Scale for patients with COPD.
Description
This award is given in recognition of service to the field of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and/or the ATS Assembly on Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The award is presented annually at the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Membership Meeting.
Criteria
- Recognized by his/her peers as making a significant contribution to the science or practice of pulmonary rehabilitation through clinical practice, and/or research, and/or teaching, and/or mentoring, and/or advocacy.
- Demonstrated contributions to the PR Assembly in the form of committee participation or leadership and/or otherwise advancing the PR’s mission will be viewed favorably.
- The nominee must be a PR Assembly member (primary or secondary)
- This award is open to all health disciplines.
- Nominations must include a cover letter from a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly member describing why the award is appropriate. The cover letter should be limited to 2 pages and up to 1000 words.
- Nominee's curriculum vitae must be included.
- The nominee has not previously received this award (or similar PR Assembly Award).
Applications will be scored on the basis of the details provided in the submitted nomination.
Awards will only be given where suitable candidates are nominated.
Formerly know as the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Pioneer Awards. Changed to Pulmonary Rehabilitation Recognition Award in 2021.