Thank you
Thank you for participating in today's webinar.
Expect a brief satisfaction survey via email. Your feedback is appreciated as it helps improve programming
for the future.
Contributors
-
M. Brad Drummond, MD, MHS
Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care
Director, Obstructive Lung Diseases Clinical and Translational Research Center
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Dr. Drummond is a clinical and translational researcher whose research focus includes characterizing the mechanisms for development of chronic lung disease in individuals at-risk or with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He has expertise in epidemiology and clinical trials design, and has applied these skills to understand the pattern and risk factors for lung function progression in smokers as well as HIV-infected individuals. His primary project is an NHLBI-funded study of a novel biomarker in the blood and lungs of individuals with or at-risk for COPD, and examining the role of vitamin D on levels of this biomarker. Additionally, Dr. Drummond is involved in characterizing the longitudinal impact of smoking, HIV infection and tobacco dependence on long-term outcomes related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is the director of the UNC Obstructive Lung Diseases Clinical and Translational Research Center.
-
Michael Hess, RRT, RFTP
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Michael T. Hess, BS, RRT, RPFT is a respiratory therapist and is currently Chronic Lung Disease Coordinator at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. After receiving his initial clinical training through Kalamazoo Valley Community College, he completed a bachelor's degree through Western Michigan University's College of Health and Human Services, and is in the process of acquiring a Master of Public Health degree through that institution.
A respiratory therapist for over a decade, Mr. Hess is passionate about respiratory therapy and the role respiratory care practitioners play in optimizing outcomes and improving quality of life. Mr. Hess' passion is improving COPD education, awareness, and management in the outpatient setting. He has focused on treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for the last several years, and is the project coordinator for WMed's NHLBI COPD Learn More Breathe Better® subcontract in Kalamazoo, MI. The NHLBI's COPD Learn More Breathe Better® program seeks to: Increase awareness of COPD as a serious lung disease and a leading cause of death in the United States; Increase understanding that COPD is treatable; Encourage people at risk to get a simple breathing test and talk to their doctor or health care provider about treatment options. The COPD Learn More Breathe Better program supports the Breathe Better Network, a partnership of organizations around the country working to raise awareness about COPD in their communities.
Mr. Hess is President and member of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC). Mr. Hess was recipient of the COPD Foundation's Young Investigator Award in 2015 and the President's Award of the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC) in 2009. Mr. Hess has been a frequent presenter at the Michigan Society for Respiratory Care (MSRC) and American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Annual Meetings. His presentation topics included: Respiratory Therapy in the Primary Care World; National COPD Action Plan; High Reliability Principles to Maximize Patient Safety, etc. among others. Mr. Hess was also appointed to the U.S. COPD Coalition Board of Directors for a term starting Aug. 1, 2018. Mr. Hess is a member of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). He currently manages a first-of-its-kind COPD clinic in Kalamazoo, Michigan, working to ensure patients get connected with the care they need when they need it.