On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, delve into journalist Terry Greene Sterling’s journey of being diagnosed with nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. Greene Sterling's piece on living with NTM lung disease, funded by the Pulitzer Center, recently aired on KJZZ, the NPR affiliate in Phoenix. Host Patti Tripathi also interviews NTM specialist and Greene Sterling’s doctor, Charles Daley, MD, National Jewish Health, on the causes and symptoms of this disease. Learn how NTM is often missed in the initial screening, plus the environmental factors that can lead to infection, challenges in treatment, and the importance of ongoing research, public awareness, and clinician education. KJZZ Arizona Public Radio: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/kjzz-91.5-fm-phoenix/ The Pulitzer Center: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pulitzer-center/ Conecta Arizona: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conectaarizona/ Terry Greene Sterling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrygreenesterling/ NTM Info and Research: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ntmir/ Bronchiectasis and NTM Association: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bronchiectasis-and-ntm-association/

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease that has become more treatable thanks to dedicated efforts from researchers and patient advocacy groups. ATS Past President Gregory Downey, MD, ATSF, National Jewish Health, discusses advances in understanding and treating LAM with host Ugo Ezema, MD. What role do patient networks play and what does the future hold for research?

Hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia (HABP) and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) are serious conditions that often affect critically ill patients in ICUs. These infections carry a high risk of mortality and are frequently caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast, Scott Micek, PharmD, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, explains to host Eddie Qian, MD, Vanderbilt University, why treating HABP/VABP needs to be tailored to the patient, how rapid diagnostics have pros and cons, and the importance of balancing aggressive early treatment with careful reassessment. This episode is sponsored by Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics.

When news of the Andes strain of the hantavirus broke out, the world seemed to hold its breath. But what do we know about the hantavirus? Expert Michelle Harkins, MD, University of New Mexico, discusses what the hantavirus is and how it is transmitted. She and host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, delve deeper at the ATS International Conference into how this hantavirus outbreak differs from the spread of COVID, what tests are used to detect hantavirus, and what research is happening in prevention and treatment of hantavirus.

Host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, speaks with University of Cincinnati's Laurah Turner, PhD, one of ATS 2026's keynote speakers who addressed the hot topic of AI in medical education. Check out ATS NOW, tailored education anytime, anywhere. All #ATS2026 attendees get free access to this innovative, on-demand platform through the end of the year. Learn more: https://atsnow.thoracic.org/

Pulse oximetry is a key technology, providing a quick, non-invasive way to estimate blood oxygen levels. But one issue with this tool is that it can overestimate oxygen levels in patients with darker skin pigmentation, which means they can appear less sick than they are, leading to delays in receiving treatments. Ashraf Fawzy, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and host Eddie Qian, MD, Vanderbilt University, discuss how this disparity can affect patient care, the push to develop more broadly-tested equitable tools, and more on this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast.

ATS 2026 is quickly approaching, and with so many great events, attendees are sure to enjoy every minute of the conference. On this second keynote preview, host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, is speaking with University of Cincinnati's Laurah Turner, PhD, Tuesday’s keynote speaker who will be addressing the hot topic of AI in medical education. There’s still time to register for ATS 2026! https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowATS261/Flow/ATT?atslogin=1&marketingcode=YOUTUBE

ATS 2026 is quickly approaching! This iteration of the international conference will feature amazing panels, speakers, and forums. On this episode of the ATS Breathe Easy, host Ugo Ezema, MD, Tulane University, gives us a preview by highlighting the keynotes on Sunday and Monday. Katherine Hisert, MD, PhD, National Jewish Health, discusses the Sunday keynote: "Vaccines - Past, Present and Future" by Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH. Joshua Fessel, MD, PhD, ATSF, talks about the Monday keynote he will be moderating: "The Supreme Court, the Administrative State, and You" with Stephen Vladeck, JD. There’s still time to register for ATS 2026! https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowATS261/Flow/ATT?atslogin=1&marketingcode=YOUTUBE

Vaccines are essential to public health, yet the current Department of Health and Human Service leadership has led changes in vaccine recommendations that are not grounded in scientific evidence. Experts Tina Hartert, MD, MPH, Vanderbilt University, and Ryan Maves, MD, Wake Forest University, discuss with host Patti Tripathi the multi-professional society effort to protect and promote a science-based vaccine schedule for patients and health care providers, and to equip individuals with clear, practical ways to advocate for evidence-based immunization policies.

Artificial intelligence is at the center of dozens of new tools and technological advances, but how should clinicians and researchers integrate them into their practice and research? The ATS AI Taskforce was formed to help answer this question, explore the latest innovations in the space, and how it fits into the needs of ATS members. Shirin Shafazand, MD, MS, FAASM, ATSF, University of Miami, and past-president of the ATS David Gozal, MD, MBA, Marshall University, join host Eddie Qian, MD, Vanderbilt University, to discuss this new taskforce, talk about AI programming at ATS 2026, and how AI is helping to shape the future of medicine.

April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month! Host Patti Tripathi speaks with Mary McGowan, president and CEO of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, about the importance of continuing research on sarcoidosis, advocacy and policy efforts in the field, and fighting for paid leave for those participating in clinical trials. Learn more about the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research at https://www.stopsarcoidosis.org/ Learn more about The Champions for Change: https://site.thoracic.org/press-releases/champions-for-change-paid-time-off-initiative-just-made-clinical-trials-participation-easier Learn more about the bipartisan Congressional Sarcoidosis Caucus: https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-launches-bipartisan-sarcoidosis-caucus-to-battle-the-debilitating-disease-in-memory-of-his-mother

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed the dollar value of a statistical life in January 2026, essentially dropping it to zero. What does that mean for the average American? As Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD, University of Kentucky, explains to Air Health Our Health host Erika Moseson, MD, MA, this means the agency will no longer account for the healthcare costs of air pollution and lost lives when determining how account how clean air policies and other key legislation affect communities. In this conclusion of a two-part series on the EPA’s dollar value of a statistical life, Dr. Gerber explains what this change means and why is it significant.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) changed the dollar value of a statistical life in January 2026, essentially dropping it to zero. What does that mean for the average American? As Anthony Gerber, MD, PhD, University of Kentucky, explains to Air Health Our Health host Erika Moseson, MD, MA, this means the agency will no longer account for the healthcare costs of air pollution and lost lives when determining how account how clean air policies and other key legislation affect communities. In this first part of a two-part series on the EPA’s dollar value of a statistical life, Dr. Gerber explains what this change means and why is it significant.

How can peers help those in their field entering mid-career? Through the sharing of their successes and struggles. This was the solution Joshua Lee Denson, MD, MS, Tulane University, and colleagues came up with when asked for event ideas for the ATS International Conference. The ATS Storytelling Series has been a huge success, giving mid-career professionals a space to highlight wins, discuss issues, and connect with a community of professionals looking to advance and expand. Dr. Denson and host Amy Attaway, MD, Cleveland Clinic, talk about how this series was developed, how it has helped others in the past, and what to look forward to at ATS 2026. Be sure to register for ATS 2026: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowATS261/Flow/ATT?atslogin=1&marketingcode=YOUTUBE

Immigrants make up a significant portion of the medical and scientific community at all levels, from students all the way to senior faculty. But the Trump administration’s new policies will make it hard for institutions to bring in new international talent and possibly retain the key contributors. Host Patti Tripathi talks with medical historian Eram Alam, PhD, Harvard University, and ATS Past-President Lynn Schnapp, MD, ATSF, University of Wisconsin, about how the fields of respiratory medicine and research are losing the best and the brightest, and what that means for public health. Learn more about the Hart-Celler Act: https://dissentmagazine.org/article/how-the-hart-celler-act-changed-america/