Ryerson elected to lead Florida Thoracic Society

University of Florida pulmonologist Gene Ryerson, M.D., has been elected to a two-year term as president of the Florida Thoracic Society, which is dedicated to the treatment of lung disease, serves as the medical section of the American Lung Association of Florida.

Ryerson, a pulmonary and critical care medicine professor with the UF College of Medicine’s department of medicine, will assume the office in fall 2004. As president, his goals include improving educational programs for pulmonary physicians, increasing research support and developing legislative initiatives involving lung research and tobacco addiction.

Ryerson currently serves as secretary-treasurer of the society. He previously chaired the 47th annual Tri-State Consecutive Case Conference on Lung Disease and organizes the annual Florida Pulmonary Wintercourse program.

In November, Ryerson also was selected as governor of the Florida chapter of the American College of Chest Physicians. He will assume this office in fall 2003. He plans to promote collaboration between the college and the Florida Thoracic Society on projects of common interest.