Where are they now? What have they been up to? CHEST’s Past Presidents each forged the way for the many successes of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), leading to enhanced patient care around the globe. Their outstanding leadership and vision are evidenced today in many of CHEST’s current initiatives, and now it is time to check in with these past leaders to give us a look at what’s new in their lives.
Kalpalatha K. Guntupalli, MD, Master FCCP, MACP, FCCM
Frances K. Friedman and Oscar Friedman, MD ’36 Endowed Professor for Pulmonary Disorders; and Chief, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine.
President 2009-2010
November 1, 2009, is clearly etched into my memory. I was sworn in as the 73rd President, and 3rd woman President, of the American College of Chest Physicians during CHEST Annual Meeting 2009 in San Diego.
Dr. Kalpalatha K. Guntupalli
I consider the 2 years leading up to the presidency and the year following my term as the best years of my professional career. They were action packed, full of excitement that gave immense satisfaction. During my year, the longtime EVP/CEO, Al Lever, retired, and we welcomed the new EVP/CEO Mr. Paul Markowski.
To make the transition easier, I started the “4 Ps” call of the 4 Presidents (President-Designate, President-Elect, President, and the Past President), a weekly call to catch up and keep everyone in the loop. This has since become a tradition in the organization.
My theme for the year was “Act local, Think global.” We started many international initiatives, in the Middle East, India, China, and South America, that have since evolved into successful programs. In 2010, as members of the Federation of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), we celebrated the “Year of the Lung.” We participated in the “world spirometry day” (102,487 spirometries were done globally) and did many other programs to increase awareness of lung disease. We held a long-term strategic retreat developing goals for the College. We implemented many other process-driven initiatives under the new CEO’s leadership.
Land was acquired where the new beautiful headquarters building now stands.
What is life like after CHEST Presidency?
I was very honored in 2012 to receive the “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman,” the highest award bestowed on a nonresident Indian by the President of India or distinguished members of the Indian Diaspora to “honor exceptional and meritorious contributions in their chosen field/profession and enhancing the image of India.” In 2013, I spent 4 months as a Fulbright Scholar forming an ARDS network in India, and in 2015, I was honored as a Master FCCP by our own organization.
As the Section Chief, I have been busy building a “Lung Institute” and ICU services along with many new initiatives in our very active Pulmonary/CC/Sleep section at Baylor College of Medicine.