The seven CHEST Networks will recognize early career clinicians in their respective areas with Network Rising Star Awards during CHEST 2026. These awards highlight individual contributions in clinical care, education, research, or other scholarly activity and celebrate clinicians who have shown growth and potential within the Networks and CHEST.
Hear from the Rising Stars in their own words, and congratulate them at the Network Open Forums on Monday, October 19, from 11 am to 12 pm MST, and Tuesday, October 20, from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm, at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Airways Disorders Network
Maria Azhar, MD, FCCP
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Faculty
Bayhealth Medical Center Delaware
“CHEST has been an integral part of my professional journey since residency. I joined the CHEST Airway Disorders Network as a fellow in training, and the Network has played an instrumental role in shaping my growth as a trainee while providing the foundation to begin my journey as an early career physician. Through the CHEST Networks, I have found mentors, collaborators, and lifelong colleagues who have inspired me to grow, share ideas, and contribute to our field. Connecting with renowned clinician educators and leaders has been invaluable, and the CHEST Networks continue to provide a unique platform that fosters collaboration, amplifies members’ work, and advances pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.”
Airways Disorders Network Open Forum
Monday, October 19
11 am – 12 pm MST
West Building, Room 106
Chest Infections and Disaster Response Network
Kelly Pennington, MD
Critical Care Specialist, Transplant Pulmonologist
Mayo Clinic
“The Chest Infections and Disaster Response Network has been an important professional home for me. It has connected me with mentors, collaborators, and friends who share my interests and have supported my growth throughout my career. CHEST has also given me meaningful opportunities to contribute through education, scholarship, and leadership while learning from colleagues across disciplines and career stages. What I value most is the sense of community—the opportunity not only to grow professionally but also to give back, mentor others, and help shape the future of our field.”
Chest Infections and Disaster Response Network Open Forum
Tuesday, October 20
11:15 am – 12:15 pm MST
West Building, Room 102
Critical Care Network
Rodolfo Alpizar-Rivas, MD, FCCP
Assistant Professor of Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Co-Director of Research for the Critical Care Medicine Fellowship, Critical Care Medicine Attending, and Transplant Infectious Diseases Attending at Aurora Health’s St. Lukes Medical Center
“The Critical Care Network has meant belonging to a community that invests in my growth as a clinician, educator, and scholar. The group gave me confidence to lead educational initiatives, while collaborating with peers who became friends and mentors all over the US. CHEST empowered me to reach learners beyond my institution. Most importantly, it affirmed that my voice matters in shaping the future of critical care—a gift that continues to guide my practice and aspirations.”
Critical Care Network Open Forum
Monday, October 19
11 am – 12 pm MST
West Building, Room 105
Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network
Anthony J. Esposito, MD, FCCP
Assistant Professor
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
“The Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network has been instrumental to my career from its earliest stages. Through the Network, I have met mentors and colleagues whose guidance shaped my career and whose collaboration led to several presentations on interstitial lung disease at CHEST Annual Meetings. The Network has given me a professional home when I was still finding my footing—a place to ask questions, build relationships, and forge a path forward. I’m excited to give back to the community that has given me so much by mentoring future trainees, joining committees, and presenting at future meetings.”
Diffuse Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Network Open Forum
Tuesday, October 20
11:15 am – 12:15 pm MST
West Building, Room 104
Pulmonary Vascular and Cardiovascular Network
Justin Lui, MD, FCCP
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
“From the plethora of learning resources to its expansive networks, CHEST has been invaluable to my professional development and growth as an early career pulmonologist. I first became involved in CHEST by participating in the fellows course and later serving as a member of the Trainee Work Group. To this day, I am grateful for the sense of community at CHEST, allowing me to connect with mentors and peers and providing an avenue to contribute to the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine.”
Pulmonary Vascular and Cardiovascular Network Open Forum
Tuesday, October 20
11:15 am – 12:15 pm MST
North Building, Room 122
Sleep Medicine Network
Nathan C. Nowalk, MD
NRSA-Postdoctoral Fellow in Sleep Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
“CHEST, particularly the Sleep Medicine Network, has served an essential role in my personal and professional growth as an early career physician-scientist. During my pulmonary-critical care fellowship (2021), my strong interest in sleep medicine led me to join the Respiratory-Related Sleep Section, where I remain actively involved. Through the Section, I have developed, served on, and led multiple symposia (2023-2025). While my research has been published in CHEST® and CHEST® Pulmonary, the Section taught me how to effectively communicate sleep education to our members (CHEST Physician®). I am forever grateful for the mentorship, friendships, and nurturing community of the Network.”
Sleep Medicine Network Open Forum
Monday, October 19
11 am – 12 pm MST
West Building, Room 104
Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Network
Jacob Schwartz, MD
Assistant Professor and Faculty, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University and Northwell Health
“The CHEST Networks have been instrumental in my early career development. As a member of the Pleural Disease Section within the Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Network, I have had the opportunity to collaborate on meaningful projects with colleagues who are leaders in the field. As I begin my career in interventional pulmonology, the mentorship, collaboration, and sense of community within CHEST have helped me build lasting professional relationships, expand my knowledge, and gain the confidence to contribute to advancing patient care and the specialty.”
Thoracic Oncology and Chest Procedures Network Open Forum
Tuesday, October 20
11:15 am – 12:15 pm MST
West Building, Room 105
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.
