Thomas L. Petty, MD, Honored for Contributions to Pulmonary Medicine

In honor of Thomas L. Petty’s outstanding career and contributions to pulmonary medicine, The CHEST Foundation and Boehringer Ingelheim, Inc., have established an endowed research fund in Dr. Petty’s name. The Thomas L. Petty, MD, Master FCCP Endowment in Lung Research will support lung research and advances in respiratory patient care.

Dr. Petty, a faculty member at National Jewish Medical and Research Center, was honored on Saturday October 20, at the Making a Difference Awards Dinner during the CHEST 2007 conference in Chicago.

Dr. Petty, often referred to as a “father of pulmonary medicine,” has been a pioneer in research and treatment of respiratory diseases. Dr. Petty served as the President of the American College of Chest Physicians, and was the Founding Chairman of the National Lung Health Education Program, which promoted the early detection and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dr. Petty spearheaded the Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy Trials, whose outcomes still serve as the scientific foundation for oxygen therapy in patients with COPD. Dr. Petty has published more than 750 articles in medical journals and authored or edited 33 books or editions. He is also a member of the Colorado Pulmonary Physicians’ Hall of Fame.