U of M Professor David Ingbar Elected President of American Thoracic Society

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (May 29, 2007) -- University of Minnesota Medical School professor David Ingbar, M.D., has been elected president of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) for 2007 to 2008.  He was recently installed as president at the ATS International Conference in San Francisco held in May. The ATS is an 18,000 member professional organization that promotes research, training, and clinical care for lung, critical care, and sleep disorders.

Previously, Ingbar served as the chairman of the ATS Training Committee and Planning Committee of the Assembly on Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology (RCMB).  In addition, he is a past president of the Association of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program Directors and has served on the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Pulmonary Subspecialty Board.    

Ingbar is a nationally renowned expert in critical care medicine. His research focuses on repairing injured lung tissue. He graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington.  He also finished a fellowship in pulmonary medicine and critical care at Yale University School of Medicine.  He is currently professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Pediatrics and director of the Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Division. Ingbar is also executive director of the newly established Center for Lung Science and Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School, which is dedicated to interdisciplinary research, education, and public outreach activities that promote lung health and improve the care of patients with lung disease.

The Academic Health Center is home to the University of Minnesota’s six health professional schools and colleges as well as several health-related centers and institutes. Founded in 1851, the University is one of the oldest and largest land grant institutions in the country. The AHC prepares the new health professionals who improve the health of communities, discover and deliver new treatments and cures, and strengthen the health economy.

Contact: Liz Wulderk, Academic  Health Center, 612-624-5680
Sara E. Buss, Academic Health Center, 612-624-5680