Message from the President

The AABIP has been quite busy recently!  Just prior to the ATS meeting, we held our 1st strategic planning retreat.  In addition to re-defining our vision and mission statements, we defined both short and longer-term goals, including promoting high quality research and education initiatives, building our membership while directly responding to their needs and developing an active mentorship program.  We are in the process of creating a ‘membership survey’ and I ask you take a few minutes to let us know what is important to YOU / how the AABIP can better serve your needs.  We will be hosting an “IP Fellows” luncheon at CHEST in Montreal as well as a “Business of IP” seminar just prior to the bi-annual Scientific Symposium.  We are in the process of updating our “Recommended Reading List” with the latest / greatest articles and have continued our monthly journal club.  I would also like to congratulate Drs. Carla Lamb (Lahey Clinic), Colleen Keyes (MGH) and Erik Folch (BIDMC), as well as the fabulous staff from Lahey for organizing an outstanding 4th Annual IP Fellow’s Boot Camp and our 2nd Annual AABIP Advanced Bronchoscopy Course!  We had 25 fellows from across the country and in addition to providing a unique bonding experience, and practice advanced procedures / receive small-group instruction, a new fellow’s committee has been created that will help define the needs of IP fellows throughout the country from both academic and practice perspectives.  The AABIP leadership is committed to providing resources that will help our members initiate high-quality research projects, build independent IP programs / strengthen existing programs, and lobby on a national level to improve the care of our patients.  Dr. Momen Wahidi (incoming President) hosted the 1st AABIP Webinar on August 3rd.  Thirty five members joined the call to hear Dr. Yasufuku discuss his pearls of EBUS.  We’re planning webinars every other month (free to our members) so keep your eyes out for the announcements.  There are LOTS of ways to get involved, so PLEASE reach out and let us know how you’d like to become involved.