For Immediate Release                           Contact: Dorothy Coyle  773-332-6201

CHICAGO, May 23, 2019 – The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) announced David Lederer, M.D., M.S., Senior Medical Advisor for Education and Awareness, was honored with the John W. Walsh PAR Award for Excellence on Sunday, May 19, at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in Dallas. The award, which is granted annually to an individual or organization for improving the lives of people with pulmonary disease, was presented to Dr. Lederer at the ATS PAR (Patient Advisory Roundtable) Symposium.  

Dr. Lederer was recognized for his academic leadership, innovative research and extraordinary compassion for patients and their loved ones.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Dr. Lederer. “There is no greater honor for a physician than being recognized by patients, caregivers and their loved ones.” 

Kerri Connolly, Chair of the ATS Patient Advisory Roundtable said, “It is my great privilege to acknowledge how deserving Dr. Lederer is to receive the 2019 John W. Walsh PAR Award for Excellence. His outstanding service and fierce determination in pursuit of advancing research for patients living with serious lung disease deserve such honorable recognition.”

As Senior Medical Advisor for the PFF, Dr. Lederer has developed trusted educational resources about pulmonary fibrosis for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers. Since joining the PFF’s medical team in 2014, he has provided expertise for the PFF’s Disease Education Webinars and was instrumental in the launch of the PFF’s Life With Pulmonary Fibrosis video series last year. 

Dr. Lederer has demonstrated significant commitment to pioneering pulmonary fibrosis research. His research focuses on enhancing the understanding of the causes of lung fibrosis in humans and improving outcomes after lung transplantation.

Dr. Lederer recently spearheaded an innovative research and mentoring program, PFF Scholars, designed to support and enable promising researchers to obtain independent funding and continue their cutting-edge research. He is the editor-in-chief of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society and sits on the editorial board of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

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About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation mobilizes people and resources to provide access to high quality care and leads research for a cure so people with pulmonary fibrosis will live longer, healthier lives. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation has a three-star rating  from Charity Navigator and is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity. For more information, visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or 312.587.9272 from outside of the U.S