Every year, the CHEST Annual Meeting brings together pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine professionals with many backgrounds but the same passion: to advance knowledge of clinical practice for the benefit of patients.
During CHEST 2026, October 18 to 21 in Phoenix, CHEST Networks and Interest Groups will help attendees find their home within this vibrant community, contribute to impactful initiatives, and form bonds that outlast the meeting itself.
CHEST Networks
The seven CHEST Networks, organized around distinct educational curricula, provide a useful framework for anyone who is looking to expand their involvement, said Muhammad Adrish, MD, MBA, FCCP, Chair of the Council of Networks.
“CHEST itself is a big organization, and if you try to navigate the organization by yourself, you could get really confused,” Dr. Adrish said. “CHEST Networks are where you can identify the people who have the interests that you have.”
Each of the Networks will host business meetings during CHEST 2026 to highlight current efforts and outline upcoming projects—from developing guidelines and submitting journal articles to designing educational events, podcasts, and webinars.
This year, the Network Open Forums will be split across two days in order to allow attendees to engage with multiple areas of interest. No prior involvement is necessary to attend, but showing up and speaking up is how many current leaders got their start, Dr. Adrish said. Additionally, members of CHEST’s 22 Sections—subgroups within each Network—will present at Experience CHEST in the Exhibit Hall, Monday through Wednesday
Attendees will also have an opportunity to mingle with Network leaders during the Network Mixer on Monday evening. Taking advantage of these opportunities can make a real difference at the meeting and down the line, no matter where someone ends up in their career, Dr. Adrish said.
“While I was moving from a community practice setting to an academic setting, the only thing that remained constant was my engagement with the Networks. The Networks didn’t care which building I was walking into; they cared about what I was bringing to the organization, they provided me with the opportunities, and they gave me that same door into CHEST leadership, regardless of where I was,” Dr. Adrish said. “If you share the CHEST mission of promoting education, you will find your home in CHEST Networks.”
CHEST Interest Groups
CHEST 2026 attendees will also have the chance to connect with one of the four CHEST Interest Groups, which unite members of shared identities and clinical interests.
Leaders from the Women in Chest Medicine, LGBTQ+ at CHEST, Citizens of the Global Majority, and Respiratory Care Interest Groups will be eager to speak about their overall missions, current initiatives, and available resources during the Cultures and Communities Reception on Monday evening.
“We’re in a profession of lifelong learning. We chose a profession where that knowledge continues to advance, and we all have different challenges in that process and continue to grow and learn. So to network with other individuals, to potentially develop collaborations, it’s an amazing venue for that to happen,” said David L. Vines, FAARC, PhD, FCCP, Chair of the Respiratory Care Interest Group Steering Committee.
The Interest Groups will also have a presence at other events in Phoenix before and during the meeting. The LGBTQ+ at CHEST Interest Group will be sharing information about Phoenix’s October Pride Festival, which falls just before CHEST 2026. The Women in Chest Medicine Interest Group will hold a ticketed half-day career development course for established clinicians the Saturday before the meeting, as well as a speed mentoring event for early career clinicians on Sunday in the Trainee Lounge. And the Respiratory Care Interest Group will welcome students from local respiratory care programs to the meeting on Tuesday.
Two of the groups will also hold dedicated luncheons, which are free to attend but require advance registration. The Women in Chest Medicine Luncheon on Monday will share lessons about the “Journey to Success” from Kim D. French, MHSA, CAPPM, FCCP; Sandhya Khurana, MD, FCCP; and Hayley B. Gershengorn, MD, FCCP. The Respiratory Care Luncheon on Tuesday will feature conversation about “Paving a Pathway: RT Careers” with Kim Clark, FAARC, RRT; J. Brady Scott, PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC, FCCP; Wendy Fascia, MBA, MA, RRT, RRT-NPS, CES-A, FAARC; and Emilee Lamorena, MSc, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC.
The conversations and connections that begin at the meeting will continue throughout the year, said Anita Rajagopal, MD, FCCP, Chair of the Women in Chest Medicine Interest Group Steering Committee.
“Our Women in Chest Medicine committee meets on a regular basis throughout the year to continue working on our initiatives. We open some of these meetings and welcome members to join us,” Dr. Rajagopal said. “It’s a great opportunity to get to know the committee members, provide ideas, and even make connections for mentorship.”
Networking opportunities at CHEST 2026
Women’s Half-Day Career Development Course by Women in Chest Medicine
(Limited spots available)
Saturday, October 17
12 pm – 5:30 pm MST
Attend a free half-day career development course from the Women in Chest Medicine Interest Group designed to support career advancement while building leadership, communication, and advocacy skills. This interactive program, held ahead of CHEST 2026, brings together leaders, educators, and peers to explore leadership identity through self-assessment, discussion, and assertive communication in clinical and professional settings.
Women in Chest Medicine Speed Mentoring
Sunday, October 18
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm MST
Back by popular demand, the Women in Chest Medicine Interest Group is proud to once again host its speed mentoring event in the Trainee Lounge. This hourlong event offers attendees the opportunity to experience micro-mentoring sessions with CHEST leaders on a variety of topics related to professional and personal growth. This event is open to all annual meeting attendees; no advanced registration required.
Network Open Forums (Monday)
Monday, October 19
11 am – 12 pm MST
The Airways Disorders, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Networks will highlight accomplishments from their Networks and Sections during the past year. Networks will showcase the recipients of the Rising Star Awards, which recognize the contributions of early career clinicians practicing in their respective area under CHEST’s Network structure. Some of the Open Forums will also include a featured speaker.
Women in Chest Medicine Luncheon
Monday, October 19
12 pm – 1:30 pm MST
The Women in Chest Medicine Interest Group invites CHEST 2026 attendees to join for an inspirational panel conversation about intentional career navigation and planning. This ticketed luncheon is free for all annual meeting attendees but does require advanced registration. Please reach out to the CHEST Help Team for assistance with registration.
This luncheon is made possible by the generous support of United Therapeutics.
Network Mixer
Monday, October 19
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm MST
The Network Mixer is open to all attendees, whether you’re a member of a Network or just want to learn more about these groups. This is a great opportunity to network with other attendees and meet Network leaders. There will be hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and a chance to mix and mingle.
Cultures and Communities Reception
Monday, October 19
6 pm – 7 pm MST
Come mingle with the leaders of the CHEST Interest Groups (Women in Chest Medicine, LGBTQ+ at CHEST, Citizens of the Global Majority, and Respiratory Care), and learn how you can sign up to be an Interest Group member. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with the CHEST Health Equity Task Force and Environmental and Respiratory Health leaders. This event is open to all annual meeting attendees. No advance registration is required.
This event is made possible by the generous support of Chiesi.
Network Open Forums (Tuesday)
Tuesday, October 20
11:15 am – 12:15 pm MST
The Chest Infections and Disaster Response, Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant, Pulmonary Vascular and Cardiovascular, and Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Networks will highlight accomplishments from their Networks and Sections during the past year. Each Network will showcase the recipients of the Rising Star Awards, which recognize the contributions of early career clinicians practicing in their respective area under CHEST’s Network structure. Some of the Open Forums will also include a featured speaker.
Respiratory Care Luncheon
Tuesday, October 20
12:15 pm – 1:45 pm MST
The Respiratory Care Steering Committee invites CHEST 2026 attendees to join for a moderated panel conversation titled “Paving a Pathway: RT Careers.” Hear from leaders in respiratory therapy about their personal experiences with leadership, providing care for specialized populations, diagnostics, pulmonary rehabilitation, and disease management. This ticketed luncheon is free for all annual meeting attendees but does require advanced registration. Please reach out to the CHEST Help Team for assistance with registration.
This luncheon is made possible by the generous support of The National Board for Respiratory Care.
Section Presentations at Experience CHEST
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Various times
Each of the 22 Network subgroups will present a bite-sized educational presentation on the Experience CHEST stage in the Exhibit Hall. Attendees will hear about hot topics in the chest medicine profession from fellows-in-training and other early career Network members.
Join Us at CHEST 2026
Connect in person with influential clinicians from around the world—and attend top-tier educational sessions focusing on the most relevant clinical topics. CHEST 2026 will have it all, including optional add-on sessions to customize your learning. Reserve your spot by October 5 to save $100 with advance registration pricing.
