Every year, Thoracic Society Chapters support American Thoracic Society advocacy by participating in the annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., where 30 to 40 ATS representatives meet with legislators to discuss issues pertinent to the practice of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine, including support for research funding for related diseases. In past years, Hill Day participants met with members of Congress to advocate funding of NIH and domestic and global TB control programs, as well as oppose legislation to exempt cigars from FDA regulation.
The ATS is now accepting applications for THREE fellows to participate in ATS District Advocacy Week 2020. Fellows will be chosen to participate in this event taking place the week of March 16-20, 2020. As with other District Advocacy Week participants, travel expenses including mileage, train tickets and parking will be covered by the ATS. Note: Fellows would accompany the representative from their ATS chapter to Hill Day, they are not replacing that individual.
Role of District Advocacy Week
This is an active program! Your participation will mirror that of other ATS representatives who are attending ATS District Advocacy Week. There will be a conference call prior to the event when initial briefing information will be provided by staff in the ATS Washington, D.C. office about the issues we will be presenting to legislators or their staff. ATS DC staff will schedule three meetings with your U.S. congressional delegation (two senators and House Rep) or staff in state district offices, similar to the ATS Hill Day in DC, but without the need to travel to DC! All members of Congress maintain several office locations throughout the state, including the most populous cities. We will schedule your meetings in the district office closest to your location.
Learn more about the annual ATS Hill Day.
Criteria:
To apply for the 2020 Hill Day Fellowship, an applicant should:
- Be an active ATS member,
- Be a member of their state Thoracic Society Chapter,
- Have a current fellowship in a state or region within a Thoracic Society Chapter.
Not an ATS member already? Fellows can join today as a trainee, with their first year of membership free!
To apply for this program:
- Complete the application,
- Submit a recommendation from a Thoracic Society Chapter leader in your state,
- Chapters may not send a fellow from their chapter two years in a row. The following chapters had Hill Day Fellows in 2019, and may not apply for ATS District Advocacy Week 2020 (but are encouraged to apply in 2021): North Carolina, Indiana and Connecticut
Deadlines: Completed applications should be submitted ATS by Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.
Questions? Contact May Ling Brantman, senior manager, Chapter Relations, at chapters@thoracic.org or 212-315-8633. We look forward to receiving your applications!
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Fellow Jonathan Richards, MD
Louisiana Thoracic Society, 2014
Fellow Brian Parker, MD
Louisiana Thoracic Society, 2015
