FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Scott D. Halpern, MD, PhD, to Receive a 2025 American Thoracic Society Respiratory Health Award
Dr. Halpern will be formally recognized with the J. Randall Curtis Humanism Award at the ATS 2025 International Conference in San Francisco.
NEW YORK, NY (May 7, 2025) -- The American Thoracic Society is proud to announce that Scott D. Halpern, MD, PhD, will receive a 2025 ATS Respiratory Health Award. Dr. Halpern will be presented with ATS’s J Randall Curtis Humanism Award for his exemplary achievements in respiratory health based on his work at the University of Pennsylvania.
All award recipients will be recognized for their contributions and achievements in pulmonary disease, critical care, and sleep health at the upcoming ATS 2025 International Conference to be held May 16-21 in San Francisco. The awards represent outstanding respiratory health contributions through various means, from research and diagnosis to education and advocacy.
"This year's ATS Respiratory Health Awards recipients embody excellence in science and clinical care," said ATS President Irina Petrache, MD, ATSF. "We extend our warmest congratulations to these outstanding individuals. Their work has made a meaningful difference in advancing respiratory health around the world, and we are deeply appreciative of their contributions."
The J. Randall Curtis Humanism Award celebrates an individual whose work reflects the ideals espoused by Dr. Curtis throughout his career of compassion, humanism and mentorship. This award recognizes characteristics like exceptional mentoring skills, compassionate delivery of patient care, competence in scientific endeavors, respect for patients, families and colleagues, embodiment of the values of diversity, equity and inclusion in their daily work and life, effective, empathic communication and listening skills and service to community.
“From the time I started reading Randy’s prodigious and innovative work as an MD/PhD student, I had an inkling that he was who I may want to be,” Dr. Halpern said. “When he responded within two hours to my first out-of-nowhere email when I was a resident, and we ended up publishing together shortly thereafter, that just sealed the deal. When we finally met, I was star-struck, yet Randy saw past that and we quickly became close friends, sharing ideas, struggles, laughs, and outdoor adventures. To receive an award named for someone you not only idolized but who was your closest professional friend is beyond tear-jerking, but I know he’s looking down, content that his memory will always be a blessing to all who knew him.”
Register now to attend ATS 2025 and recognize this year’s outstanding recipients.
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 16,000 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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