CHEST is pleased to introduce Neil Freedman, MD, FCCP, the 2026 President of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST). A long-time volunteer, educator, and leader within the organization, Dr. Freedman shares his perspective on the year ahead, CHEST’s values, and his hopes for the future in the answers that follow.
What would you like to accomplish as President of CHEST?
I think of my presidential year as part of the CHEST organizational journey. Yes, 2026 is just one year, but—as we just celebrated at last year’s meeting—this organization has been around for 90. As president, my goal is to honor that legacy by building on the strategy thoughtfully established by the Board of Regents and ensuring that we continue to move forward with clarity and purpose so that, at the end of my term, CHEST is even stronger than when I began.
Together with CHEST’s leadership and members, I want to continue building on our core pillars of people, education, research, and social responsibility. Having worked in academics, private practice, and an integrated health system, I bring a range of perspectives that I believe can help us innovate and continue to be successful in the future. I am particularly excited about continuing to expand CHEST’s educational offerings. This includes our ever-expanding Bridging Specialties® initiative, digital access to all our content through CHEST MedCast, and our education and certification for advanced practice providers. These efforts reflect a larger priority: We must continually assess how we deliver value and think proactively about the next decade and beyond, rather than just relying on the strengths that carried us in the past.
What do you consider to be CHEST’s greatest strength, and how will you build upon this during your presidency?
CHEST’s greatest strength is, without question, its people. Our volunteers, faculty, staff, executive leadership team, and Board of Regents form an incredible community. The dedication, expertise, and collaboration within this organization are what make CHEST truly exceptional.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working closely with many of our leaders. Their commitment to clarity, accountability, and strategic direction has positioned CHEST for continued success. Equally important, our diverse perspectives help us make thoughtful decisions and ensure alignment with our values.
During my presidency, I want to continue building an environment where every member—regardless of role, stage of training, or practice setting—feels welcomed, supported, and heard. That means fostering open dialogue, nurturing emerging leaders, and living our values of community, inclusivity, innovation, advocacy, integrity, and science-based medicine in everything we do.
What are some of the challenges CHEST is facing, and how will you address them?
The challenges affecting CHEST mirror the pressures facing health care nationwide. Clinicians are facing increasing financial pressures, as reimbursement fails to keep up with rising operational and practice expenses. Burnout, compensation concerns, and the growing demands of patient care all take a toll on our members. On top of that, political and regulatory shifts are creating uncertainty that affects how we practice.
CHEST plays a critical role in supporting our members and helping them navigate these challenges. We will continue providing timely clinical education and guidelines, partnering with other societies on issues like reimbursement, oxygen access and regulatory reform, and supporting research and philanthropy during a time when federal funding is uncertain.
It is also important that we stand firm in our values. We continue to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to science, patient safety, and public health.
As we think about the future, we must continue to innovate. CHEST is thinking differently, exploring new technologies, including artificial intelligence, and seeking out partnerships that will allow us to deliver value in new ways. To meet the needs of tomorrow, we will need both stability and bold thinking.
How can members support you during your presidency?
More than anything, I ask that members remain engaged with CHEST. Share your challenges, your ideas, and your successes. Communicate about the issues that matter to you in your practice. Share your feedback—both positive and constructive—so that we can continue improving to better meet your needs. We are active on social media channels, and you can contact me at [email protected].
I also encourage members to support CHEST philanthropy, which fuels our mission by advancing education, supporting research, and expanding initiatives that directly benefit clinicians and patients. Above all, stay connected, stay vocal, and stay committed to our mission. CHEST’s strength has always come from its members; and together, we can continue building an enduring future for chest medicine.
