Welcome!
We’re thrilled to welcome you to the world’s largest gathering dedicated to pulmonary fibrosis!
Whether this is your first Summit or you’ve joined us before, we’re so grateful to have you here with us in the vibrant city of Chicago this fall. This event brings together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates from across the country—and beyond—to learn, connect, and inspire one another. Your presence here helps drive our shared mission forward, and we can’t wait to spend the next few days together.
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Meal, Break, and Exhibit Hall Schedules
Thursday
Exhibit hall opens 12:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception and Poster Presentation
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
Exhibit hall opens 7:00 a.m.
Breakfast 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
Morning Break 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Clinical Trial Innovation Series (Lunch included!)
12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon break 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Dine & Delight Networking Night 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Friday night only!)
Exhibit Hall Hours
Visit the Exhibit Hall to meet with industry representatives, medical centers, and patient advocacy organizations.
Thursday 12:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Program
You are welcome to attend any session you’d like, unless it’s noted as a closed session. If you’re not sure what to attend, we’ve made color-coded reccommendations on each session. Use the legend below to help you plan your Summit experience!
Patients
Caregivers
Lung transplant recipient
Saturday sessions
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Plenary Session
HOPE for tomorrow: Emerging from the past and heading into the future
Location: Sheraton-Chicago IV-VII Ballroom
Session Chair: Mary E. Strek, MD
Keynote speaker: James Fraser, PhD
Speakers: Jessica E. Shore, PhD, RN; Kevin Flaherty, MD; Nicholas Banovich, PhD; Susan Jacobs, MS, RN; Harold Collard, MD, MS
• Welcome! Daily remarks and announcements
• PFF Registry: Past lessons, present impact, future promise
• KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Unlocking the future: How Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming pre-clinical drug discovery
• Harnessing multi-omics: How molecular diagnostics is shaping the future of medicine
• Legisl ative advocacy in a changing climate: Challenges, progress, and hope for the future
• Live panel discussion and audience Q&A
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Exposed! Understanding the hidden triggers and management of exposure-related ILDs
Location: Chicago VIII
Session Chair: Jennifer Wescoe Singley, M.Ed., NCC
Speakers: Bhavika Kaul, MD, MAS; Mary Porteous, MD; Cathryn T. Lee, MD, MS
• What are exposure-related ILDs? Causes and key consideration
• Resources for Veterans: What is out there and how to obtain
• Am I at risk? How to recognize if you have exposurerelated ILD and taking steps to limit further exposure
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Managing respiratory illness when it hits
Location: Chicago IX
Session Chair: Xiaoping Wu, MD, MS
Speakers: Dominic Paula, RN, BSN; Jamie Lederer, MSN; Shweta Sood, MD, MS; Jenny Williams, PA-C
• Navigating ailments: Bronchitis, COVID, pneumonia, and influenza in the setting of ILD
• Exacerbations or fl ares: When ILD rapidly deteriorates
• Dealing with illnesses and rejection: For lung transplant recipients
• Treatment and expectations: What to expect during recovery
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Is it in your DNA? Understanding genetics and familial pulmonary fibrosis
Location: Chicago X
Session Chair: Joyce Lee, MD
Speakers: Chad A. Newton, MD; Jennie Vagher, MS, CGC; Bess Flashner, MD
• Overview of familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF)
• The role of genetic testing in those with FPF
• The role of testing and screening in family members
• What does your family need or want to know
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The innovators’ journey: Past breakthroughs
and future visions
Location: Sheraton IV-V
Session Chairs: Amy Hajari Case, MD
Speakers: Sachin Chaudhary, MD; Toby Maher, MD, PhD; Sydney Montesi, MD
• Science in motion: Innovations in symptom management in ILD
• Innovations in advanced therapeutics and what lies ahead
• Transforming ILD care: Innovations in precision medicine and the road ahead
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Research
in the pipeline: Paving the way for tomorrow’s breakthroughs
Local: Chicago VI-VII
Session Chair: Mitchell Olman, MD, MA
Speakers: Ksenija Bernau, PhD; Rebecca Anna Gersten, MD; Peter H. Schafer, PhD; Poster presentation winner
• Shaping the future: PFF Scholars making an impact
• Coll aborative breakthroughs: The latest updates from the PROLIFIC Research Consortium
• Spotlight on Excellence: Presenting the winning poster’s research
12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Clinical Trial Innovation Series
Location: Chicago VI-VII
Featuring: Avalyn Pharma; Insmed; Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
The popular Clinical Trial Innovation Series returns! In this session, enjoy lunch while learning about the latest developments in clinical trials for those living with pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease.
The PFF does not endorse the companies or its trials, and views expressed during the event may not reflect the views of the PFF.
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Comprehensive medical care: Managing common medical conditions that often occur with PF
Location: Chicago X
Session Chair: Harold Collard, MD, MS
Speakers: Lori Reed, NP-C; Paul Wolters, MD; Margaret Salisbury, MD
• Understanding symptoms: Identifying and managing them effectively
• The evaluation process for conditions related to PF: Why it matters and how it guides treatment
• Medical conditions in focus:
◊ Pulmonary hypertension (PH)
◊ Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
◊ Sleep apnea (OSA)
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Stronger together: Benefits of a comprehensive support system
Location: Chicago VIII
Session Chair: Kathleen Lindell, PhD, RN, ATSF, FAAN
Speakers: Lanier O’Hare, PhD, CRNP; Shivani Kumar, MD; Kathryn Fenwick, DNP; Rebecca Anna Gersten, MD
See description on next page
• Setting up your personal care team: What can your support system do to help, even from afar
• Anxiety and depression: How to identify and manage symptoms
• Palliative and hospice care: Understanding the differences
• Getting support: How to find the support that is right for you
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Practicalities of PF and serious illness: Paperwork, estate planning, insurance, and more
Location: Chicago IX
Session Chair: Devi Kumar-Nambiar, JD, MBA
Speakers: Kathryn C. Casey, JD; Devi Kumar-Nambiar, JD, MBA; Carson Lamb, JD
• What’s next? Your toolkit for how to navigate paperwork: advance directives, wills and trusts, bills, assets, death certificates, and more
• Securing what matters: Estate planning for you and your loved ones
• Understanding changes to Medicare
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
From trainee to expert: Navigating the path to becoming a leader in ILD care or research
Location: Sheraton IV-V
Session Chair: Ayodeji Adegunsoye, MD, PhD, FACP, FCCP
Speakers: Mary E. Strek, MD; Patricia J. Sime, MD FRCP FACP ATSF
Panelists: Katherine Partyka, MD; Ayodeji Adegunsoye, MD, PhD, FACP, FCCP; Xiaoping Wu, MD, MS
• Building a successful clinical career in ILD: Challenges, opportunities, and strategies
• Navigating your research journey in ILD: Key strategies for career growth and impact
• Real cases, real-time wisdom: Fellows and residents present challenging cases to a panel of experts
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Intensive care, fragile lungs: Managing ILD
in the ICU
Location: Chicago VI-VII
Session Chair: Ross Summer, MD
Speakers: Ross Summer, MD; Tejaswini Kulkarni, MD, MPH; Corey D. Kershaw, MD, FCCP; Rade Tomic, MD
• When time matters most: Managing rapidly progressing ILD in the ICU
• Crisis in the lungs: Acute exacerbations in IPF
• From viral storm to fibrosis: Navigating COVID-related ARDS and ILD
• Immediate post-transplant care: Essentials from surgery to ICU
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
PF
medications explained: What to expect and making sense of the benefits and risks
See description on next page
Location: Chicago X
Session Chair: Justin C. Hewlett, MD
Speakers: Timothy Clifford, PharmD; Bridget A. Graney, MD; Gautam George, MD
• Your medications: what to expect
• Antifibrotic treatments: Weighing the options
• Managing connective tissue disease-related ILD (CTD-ILD) with medications
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Join us! Participate in volunteer efforts at the PFF through legislative advocacy, Hill Day, fundraising, and support groups
Location: Chicago IX
Session Chair: Wayne Pan, MD, PhD, MBA
Speakers: Kate Gates, MSc; Bill Schmidt; Jamie Hillner; Rebecca Hall; Seth Klein; Dionn C. Tunis
• Your voice matters: Legislative advocacy and PFF Hill Day
• Starting a support group that works
• Getting involved! Participating in the PFF Walk and other events
NOVEMBER 15
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Life after transplant: Navigating the journey of renewal
Session Chair: Renea Jablonski, MD
Speakers: Fred McLafferty, MD; Monsurat Okesanjo, RN; Ashley Johnson Whiting, CRNP; Mike Gordon
• Living with immunosuppression: Long-term effects and management
• What comes next? Understanding the realities and next steps
◊ Precautions, medication management (transplant coordinator)
◊ What do I do now for medical care?
◊ What do I do now in my every day life?
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Case Files: A Multi Disciplinary Discussion (MDD) symposium
See description on next page
Location: Chicago VI-VII
Session Chair: Bradford Bemiss, MD, MSCR
Speakers: Tadashi Allen, MD; Iazsmin Bauer Ventura, MD, MSc; Vijayalakshmi Ananthanarayanan, MBBS, MD; Yet Hong Khor, MBBS, FRACP, PhD
• Complex cases, collaborative minds: A study of interesting cases
Thank you for attending PFF Summit 2025!
We hope to see you in November of 2027 for the next PFF Summit in Bellevue, Washington! (Seattle area)
A
A special thank you to our Summit Program Organizing Committee!
Co-Chairs
Ayodeji Adegunsoye, MD
Hyun Kim, MD
Karen Smoot
Heather Bachert, MSN, ANP BC
Brad Bemiss, MD
Zoe D. Bubany, MBA
Amy Case, MD
Anita Clos
Sonye Danoff, MD, PhD
Alison DeDent, MD
Laura Devitt
Jolene Fisher, MD
Kevin Flaherty, MD
Lori Flint, RN, BSN
Kate Gates
Dot Ivey
Heather Kagel
Yet Khor, PhD
Seth Klein
Aahd Kubbara, MD
Teja Kulkarni, MD
Jamie Lederer, MSN, CRNP
Joyce Lee, MD
Kathy Lindell, PhD, RN
Chad Newton, MD
Justin Oldham, MD
Janell Reichuber, APRN
Julie Rossignol
Mary Beth Scholand, MD
Jessica Shore, PhD, RN
Rebecca Smith, AAS RCPRRT,RPFT, AE-C
Matt Taylor, DO
Iaszmin Ventura, MD
A very special thank you to our exhibitors!
Accessia Health
Accredo by Evernorth
Association of Pulmonary Advanced Practice Providers
Avalyn Pharma
Boehringer Ingelheim
Bristol Myers Squibb
Brainomix
Calluna Pharma
Celea Therapeutics / PureTech Health
Cumberland Pharmaceuticals
CVS Specialty
Gossamer Bio, Inc.
Insilico Medicine
Insmed
Liquidia Technologies, Inc.
MannKind Corporation
Mediar Therapeutics
Northwestern Medicine
Canning
Thoracic Institute
Orsini
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
Rules-Based Medicine, an IQVIA business
Scleroderma Foundation of Greater Chicago
Team Telomere
Thomas Jefferson University
Three Lakes 12-20
United Therapeutics
Vicore Pharma
