ATS Breathe Easy

COPD remains a major under-recognized public health crisis, with millions affected by delayed diagnosis, stigma, and barriers to essential care. On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, Amy Attaway, MD, Cleveland Clinic, talks with Tonya Winders, president and CEO of Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, about the State of COPD Report. They discuss the many causes of COPD beyond smoking, the importance of early detection and recognizing exacerbations, disparities in access to pulmonary rehabilitation, and the impact of COPD on patients and caregivers.

With the FDA approval of brensocatib, the first approved treatment specifically for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, what does this breakthrough mean for patients and clinicians? In this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane, speaks with ATS Treasurer Gregory Tino, MD, ATSF, University of Pennsylvania, about the science behind brensocatib, findings from the ASPEN clinical trial, and promising new therapies on the horizon.

Artificial intelligence is transforming respiratory care, from detecting lung nodules to assessing cancer risk, all to help physicians make faster, more informed decisions. In this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, host Patti Tripathi speaks with James Finigan, MD, National Jewish Health, about how AI is being integrated into respiratory cancer care. He explains how AI can help with lung cancer diagnosis, the difference between assistive and augmentative AI, and what physicians need to know as these technologies become part of their clinical practice.

Career paths are rarely straight roads, instead taking unexpected twists and turns. Past ATS President M. Patricia Rivera, MD, ATSF, tells host Ugo Ezema, Tulane, how her career shifted and changed as she grew as both a professional and a person. She also provides advice for those early and mid-career professionals who are thinking about their next moves and how to navigate challenges that may come up along the way.

What does it take to go from your first ATS international conference to becoming ATS president? Raed Dweik, MD, MBA, ATSF, immediate past-president of the ATS, discusses his journey from an attendee in 1994 to becoming a part of the ATS community, ultimately serving as ATS President in 2024-2025. He discusses his legacy, how important the international conference is to building community, and more with host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane.