FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lynn B. Gerald, PhD, MSPH, Awarded the American Thoracic Society’s 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award for Promoting Respiratory Health
ATS 2026, Orlando, Fla. (May 18, 2026) – The American Thoracic Society is proud to announce that Lynn B. Gerald, PhD, MSPH, has received the 2026 Distinguished Achievement Award. This award celebrates her outstanding work at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Dr. Gerald and other award recipients were recognized for their achievements at the ATS 2026 International Conference taking place in Orlando, Fla., Friday through Wednesday. The awards recognize outstanding respiratory health contributions, from research and diagnosis to education and advocacy.
Dr. Gerald is an expert in pediatric asthma and was instrumental in working with collaborators to advocate for passage of legislation allowing stock inhalers for schools in the state of Arizona. Currently, she is working with states around the country to pass legislation and implement and evaluate stock inhaler programs.
The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding major contributions that advance the ATS’s mission. Awardees have made substantial contributions to the prevention and treatment of lung disease, critical illness or sleep disorders.
This year’s ATS awards have placed a special emphasis on efforts designed to eliminate health disparities, and award winners are a diverse group inclusive of all genders, ethnicities and disciplines.
To learn more about the 2026 Respiratory Health Awards, visit our website.
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About the American Thoracic Society:
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical society dedicated to accelerating the advancement of global respiratory health through multidisciplinary collaboration, education, and advocacy. Core activities of the Society’s more than 30,000 members are focused on leading scientific discoveries, advancing professional development, impacting global health, and transforming patient care. Key areas of member focus include developing clinical practice guidelines, hosting the annual International Conference, publishing four peer-reviewed journals, advocating for improved respiratory health globally, and developing an array of patient education and career development resources.
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