Donation of $50,000 boosts patient advocacy at American Thoracic Society

Dr. William Martin and his wife, Joyce, donated $50,000 to the American Thoracic Society to support the Public Advisory Roundtable, a coalition of respiratory patient advocacy groups that advises ATS research, training, and policy.

The American Thoracic Society received a $50,000 donation from its Past President Dr. William Martin and his wife, Joyce Martin to support the Public Advisory Roundtable. The roundtable is a coalition of more than a dozen respiratory-related patient advocacy groups that advises ATS research, training, and policy work. Dr. Martin helped establish the PAR 25 years ago and served as ATS president from 2000 to 2001. The donation is intended to expand the PAR's strategic capacity to influence ATS activities. Key facts: - The $50,000 gift was made by Dr. William Martin, a past ATS president, and his wife, Joyce Martin. - Funds are designated for the Public Advisory Roundtable (PAR), which brings together CEOs and executives from respiratory patient advocacy organizations. - PAR was established about 25 years ago under Dr. Martin's leadership and focuses on ensuring patient experiences inform ATS priorities. - At the PAR annual meeting in November 2025, Dr. Martin urged a focus on directing resources toward identifying curative therapies for specific respiratory diseases. - ATS President Dr. Raed Dweik praised the donation and noted its potential to strengthen patient-centered engagement in research and policy. Summary: The donation is described as a means to expand PAR’s ability to shape ATS research priorities, clinical guidance, and advocacy efforts that reflect patient experiences. Undetermined at this time.