FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Payam Nahid, MD, MPH, to Receive the
American Thoracic Society’s 2026 World Lung Health Award
for Promoting Respiratory Health
ATS 2026, Orlando, Fla. (May 16, 2026) – The American Thoracic Society is proud to announce that Payam Nahid, MD, MPH, has been nominated and will receive the 2026 World Lung Health Award. This award celebrates his outstanding work at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Nahid and other award recipients will be recognized for their achievements at the ATS 2026 International Conference taking place on Orlando, Fla., Friday through Wednesday. The awards recognize outstanding respiratory health contributions, from research and diagnosis to education and advocacy.
Dr. Nahid has over two decades of experience in global health research, specializing in clinical trials and translational research focused on TB and HIV/TB co-infection. He has spearheaded international programs funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies for developing new TB diagnostics and therapeutics.
The World Lung Health Award recognizes contributions to improving world lung health through research, delivery of care, and continuing education. The award also recognizes political advocacy, with a special emphasis on efforts to address health disparities tied gender, race, ethnicity or economics.
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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