Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP

Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP

Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP

In just a few weeks, we will gather in New York City to watch the Kentucky Derby and support CHEST philanthropy. In just 3 years, these CHEST race day fundraising events have already contributed more than $200,000 toward pivotal initiatives. In addition to raising funds, this year, we will be coming together in honor of two legendary figures in chest medicine—Mark Rosen, MD, FCCP, and my father, John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP.

When it comes to charitable giving, each of us is motivated by different reasons—our “why”—and, for me, the “why” behind my giving is deeply rooted in those I love and care about, including these two men.

My father was a trailblazer in pulmonary medicine, and he is the reason I am the physician I am today. In 2019, following my father’s passing, my family created the John R. Addrizzo, MD, FCCP, Research Grant in Sarcoidosis to support those who are advancing our understanding of sarcoidosis and making a positive impact on lung health. In the last 5 years, my family, together with CHEST, has supported six deserving individuals with $20,000 each to address the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and/or treatment of sarcoidosis.

When we first introduced the sarcoidosis grant in 2019, Dr. Mark Rosen, a CHEST leader and dear friend of mine, presented the award at the first CHEST Belmont Stakes event and led the paddle raise to collect funds to support worthy initiatives like this.

None of us knew that 2 short months later, Mark would no longer be with us following a brief and devastating battle with cancer.

These two individuals—who are greatly missed every day—had an incredible impact on my life, and their legacies have inspired me to do more with the time that I am given.

As they were both passionately committed to education, my dad and Mark would be proud of the work CHEST philanthropy is doing, including providing travel grants for aspiring pulmonary and critical care medicine clinicians from historically disadvantaged backgrounds to attend the CHEST Annual Meeting, and providing grants that allow researchers to launch projects that can grow into medicine-changing innovation.

Funds raised at the Kentucky Derby event will directly contribute to CHEST’s ability to make an impact in three vital areas:

• Championing Medical Education: Empower the next generation of chest medicine leaders by revolutionizing medical education programs.
• Accelerating Clinical Research: Strengthen our dedication to groundbreaking research by extending our grants program, propelling discoveries in chest medicine.
• Igniting Diversity Fellowships: Collaborate with the Association of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program Directors to support the Medical Educator Scholar Diversity Fellowship, fostering inclusivity and brilliance in medical education.

I welcome and encourage you to join us in New York City to help us in our mission to advance chest medicine and to take advantage of the time we all have to make our impact on a better tomorrow.

Register now, or donate to support the event remotely.