image: ATS Past-President Dr. William Martin and Joyce Martin donated $50,000 to advance patient advocacy.
Credit: Dr. William Martin
NEW YORK, NY – March 31, 2026 – American Thoracic Society Past President William Martin, MD, together with his wife Joyce Martin, have donated $50,000. This significant gift will support the Public Advisory Roundtable’s (PAR) strategic plan. Comprised of CEOs and other executive staff of more than a dozen respiratory-related patient interest organizations, PAR works to keep patients as a central focus of all ATS activities and programs.
“We are immensely grateful to Bill and Joyce for their generosity,” said ATS President Raed Dweik, MD, MBA, ATSF. “Their donation is a testament to their commitment to ensuring that patients’ lived experiences inform the research endeavors that ATS members pursue as well as the clinical initiatives to improve outcomes.”
Dr. Martin served as president of the ATS from 2000 to 2001. His passion for patients propelled him to create PAR 25 years ago. At the annual gathering of PAR members in November 2025, Dr. Martin urged the group to think bigger and to endeavor to work towards a cure for a single respiratory disease.
To that end, Dr. Dweik is hopeful that this gift will inspire additional support to improve lung health worldwide.