CTS Inspirations

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.

Across California, we’ve just experienced atmospheric river storms that have left us digging, cleaning, and recovering--still--from damage incurred by floods and landslides. Shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay have left us with at least 19 dead; we share heartbreak, anger, and feelings of helplessness in solidarity with our AAPI communities and collectively as citizens at large. A tough way to start 2023 in California.

So excited for the winter season with so many reasons to celebrate! CTS Education Committee recently held a webinar on career prospects for internal medicine residents who are thinking about  PCCM careers, and it was so well received! We would like to extend our gratitude to the PCCM program directors who served as  panelists and provided invaluable advice. The annual Northern California CME conference in Monterey, January 12 - 15, 2023 is right around the corner! Conference registration is now open and the conference agenda has been posted to the website. Click to view the CTS 2023 Conference Brochure Click to register for the CTS 2023 Registration And as a reminder, the Portola Hotel registration cut off date is December 30th. The room rate is $235 per night plus taxes. Click here to reserve your room.

As we head into the winter season with increased rates of respiratory infections, please stay healthy and vigilant for our own health, the patients we care for and others around us. I would like to promote an exciting upcoming event! The CTS Education Committee is hosting an educational initiative catered towards Internal Medicine residents who are considering investing their careers in PCCM. Please join this webinar, “CTS Internal Medicine Residents’ Fellowship Guidance Session” on November 4th, 2022, from 5:30 to 6:45 PM.

It's hard to believe that fall season is here and winter is around the corner. Our annual northern California CME conference is planned for January 13-15, 2023 at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey. Please save the date on your calendar. I would like to highlight our conference program co-chairs, Dr.Gaurav Singh from Veteran Affairs Medical Center at Stanford, and Dr. Nick Kolaitis from UCSF, who are working closely with the planning committee to put together an amazing agenda.