March 19, 2023 marked the conclusion of the 2023 CTS Annual Educational Conference in Monterey, CA. For three days we featured esteemed speakers, non-CME events on topics such as well-being and women in PCCSM, a trainee reception and poster session, and welcomed the most attendees we’ve ever had. That evening, our executive office and committee sat around a conference table on circus-striped chairs to resume strategic planning for CTS. Our first task that night was to update our mission statement.
We pondered observations, criticisms, plaudits, and aspirations compiled from stakeholder interviews. We drafted a contemporaneous statement and included three declarations:
The California Thoracic Society (CTS) is a professional society committed to improving California lung health and advancing the science and practice of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine through advocacy and education.
We elevate, nurture, and support the professional development of future clinicians, educators, scientists, and leaders.
We value Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
We foster collaboration between multidisciplinary professionals essential to lung health.