Starting January 1, 2023, current President-Elect Doreen J. Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP, will become the new President of the American College of Chest Physicians. working as a Professor of Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Before she steps into the role of President, we spoke with Dr. Addrizzo-Harris for a glimpse into what she looks to bring to the CHEST organization.
Dr. Doreen J. Addrizzo-Harris
What would you like to accomplish as President of CHEST?
For my presidency, I want to continue the great trajectory CHEST is on by focusing on increasing membership, expanding our educational offerings and advancing our communication strategies, and continuing the initiatives that strive to make diversity seamless and a part of everything we do.
As many know, I have a very strong passion for the work of the CHEST Foundation, and, throughout my presidency, I will focus on how CHEST can support and integrate with the Foundation’s goal of improving patient care – whether it’s through supporting clinical research grants, expanding patient education and advocacy events, or through funding programs like the First 5 Minutes™, which touches on strengthening the rapport and trust between clinician and patient and enhances cultural competency by building an understanding of barriers to care. I can also see increasing patient involvement in CHEST to lend a unique perspective to upcoming initiatives.
Another key focus will be to strengthen and expand our membership through many venues.
We will focus on increasing physician membership of both new members and lapsed members but will also focus on increasing membership of those other providers who help us care for our patients, including advanced practice providers, respiratory therapists and more. CHEST is already an inclusive organization to a variety of health care providers, but we can do more.
My presidency will also focus on increasing collaborations with our sister societies to find new ways to reach fellows-in-training, as well as residents and medical students who are interested in pulmonary, critical care, or sleep medicine.
Along those lines, I’m also planning a dedicated focus on providing more opportunities to fellows and early career members. The goal is to enhance communications between trainees and key thought-leaders in a way that is simple, seamless, and welcoming. CHEST already does this better than anyone else, but an expanded offering, particularly in the area of career development, can help reach even more individuals – both on a national and on an international level. One such event was our successful Young Professionals Event at the Belmont event in New York City this past June.
What do you consider to be the greatest strength of CHEST, and how will you build upon this during your presidency?
CHEST has many strengths, but I think our greatest is the strength of our team – our members, our faculty, our volunteer leaders, and our staff.
To build on this, my presidency will include a strong communications strategy to reach, educate, and share the variety of opportunities with our members. I want to build on some of the excellent initiatives Dr. David Schulman started this year to continue engaging and showing our newer members, or soon-to-be members how to get involved with CHEST.
What are some challenges facing CHEST, and how will you address these challenges?
A challenge for all associations, CHEST included, will be redefining what associations look like in the wake of a global pandemic now that virtual and hybrid learning has become a part of what we do on a day-to-day basis. What will the CHEST Annual Meeting look like 3 years from now? What will keep learners coming to a physical meeting when so much is accessible on the internet? What will keep members engaged in settings where we no longer get together in-person – like the board review that is now virtual?
This all will take a lot of strategy, which is already being worked on. It will include ideas like enhancing the networking opportunities to extend beyond the annual meeting, strengthening our international strategy, and continuing to innovate in the area of medical education.
And finally, what do you ask of the members and Fellows of CHEST to support you during your presidency?
I ask that everyone get involved. Please reach out if you have questions. I am (and all our leaders are) very accessible and we can connect you with the right people to get you engaged. Also, please spread the word. Tell your colleagues, trainees, etc., how great CHEST is and get them involved with CHEST too. We have so much to offer.#