A founding leader of the Health Equity Subcommittee within the ATS Health Equity and Diversity Committee is set to take the stage at the ATS 2022 International Conference in San Francisco.

Jesse Roman, MD, a member of the ATS since 1988 and a Puerto Rico native, will be the keynote speaker at the Diversity Forum, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 15, in the Yerba Buena Ballroom Salon 1 (Lower B2 Level) at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

The Health Equity and Diversity Committee fosters diversity of the workforce, monitors health equity and diversity initiatives throughout the ATS, and leads and encourages projects, symposia, and publications related to lung health in vulnerable populations. It raises awareness about health equity and diversity issues through the ATS International Conference and publications while developing mentoring programming for early career professionals targeted at those who are underrepresented in medicine and science. The committee also participates in quarterly meetings with the International Health Committee.

Dr. Roman is the Ludwig Kind Professor of Medicine, enterprise division chief of pulmonary, allergy, and critical care medicine, and director of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia. He also serves as CEO of the Jane & Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute of Jefferson Health and National Jewish Health, and was recently elected treasurer of the ATS, a position he will fill until 2025.

“The tradition has been that our Diversity Forum speakers deliver an inspirational message, often reflecting on their careers and their journey that has led them to where they are currently,” said ATS Chief Executive Officer Karen J. Collishaw, MPP, CAE.

The push for greater diversity across all fields of medicine has intensified since the ATS conference last took place in person in 2019, said ATS Membership Director Jennifer Marotta Collin. The fields of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine and research are no different.

The Minority Trainee Development Scholarships will be presented at the Diversity Forum.

The MTDS, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, is designed to increase representation of underrepresented minorities in thoracic medicine and research by providing an opportunity for minority trainees to attend the ATS International Conference. Applications are scored on the quality of the science, strength of the mentor recommendation letter, the applicant’s leadership potential, and their role in the abstract/project.

The Diversity Forum is organized and presented by the ATS Membership Committee and will be hosted by its Chair Clement Ren, MD, MBA, ATSF, and Vice Chair Meshell Johnson, MD.

Tickets to this event are sold out.