The biennial, virtual PFF Education Symposium, November 7-8, 2024, presents a disease overview and research updates for people living with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), caregivers, family members, lung transplant recipients and loved ones.

The PFF Education Symposium provides an important educational opportunity for patients and all who are interested in learning about the latest advances in PF research and patient care. The PFF medical team and other experts in the field will discuss topics including symptom management, routine testing, current research studies and other disease management topics. There will also be a session specifically geared towards caregiving. An interactive “Fact vs Fiction” discussion will provide a detailed overview of pulmonary fibrosis and dispel myths and misconceptions about the disease.

Registration for the two-day Symposium is $10 per person. For more information, visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org/symposium. The deadline to register is November 6, 2024.

There are scholarships available to cover the participation fee. Please email symposium@pulmonaryfibrosis.org to inquire about applying for a scholarship. 

Agenda

Please note that the agenda is in Central Standard Time (CST).

Thursday, November 7

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Clinical Trial Innovation Series
 
Hear from industry representatives and learn about current research studies that are underway to help find new treatments for pulmonary fibrosis. Different trials will be presented each day, so make sure to join on both Thursday and Friday. Thursday's presenters are*:

Avalyn Pharma

• ATLAS Study
• MIST Study

Bristol-Myers Squibb

• ALOFT-IPF Study (IM027-068) 
• ALOFT-PPF Study (IM027-1015) 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

• TRANSFORM Study
• BEconneCTD-ILD Study

*Subject to change.

Friday, November 8

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.  |  Pulmonary Fibrosis 101: Fact versus Fiction

Speakers: PFF Medical Team: Amy Hajari Case, MD, FCCP - PFF Chief Medical Officer; Sonye Danoff, MD, PhD - Senior Medical Advisor, PFF Care Center Network; Ross Summer, M.D.,
Professor of Medicine and Chief of Section of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Director of Interstitial Lung Disease Program, The Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University; Joyce Lee, MD, MS - Senior Medical Advisor, Research and Health Care Quality

This interactive session will provide a solid foundation on pulmonary fibrosis for newly diagnosed patients, patients living with pulmonary fibrosis, caregivers, family members, and others. Disease facts will be shared and explained while myths and misconceptions are debunked.

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.    |   Break

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.    |   Clinical Trial Innovation Series

Hear from industry representatives and learn about current research studies that are underway to help find new treatments for pulmonary fibrosis. Different trials will be presented each day, so make sure to join on both Thursday and Friday. Friday's presenters are*:

Pliant Therapeutics

• BEACON-IPF Study

United Therapeutics

• TETON-PPF Study
• DeciPHer-ILD Registry

Vicore Pharma AB

• ASPIRE IPF Study

*Subject to change.

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.     |   Break

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.     |   How Storytelling Improves Health Outcomes: The Power of Your Story

Speaker: David Weill, MD, Organ Transplant Specialist & Healthcare Consultant, Author of Exhale and All That Really Matters

Patients, their family members, and clinicians make up the “healthcare triad” and their combined experiences impact bedside care. This session will provide an inside look at the world of high-stakes medicine as well as empower patients and their loved ones to share their story with their healthcare providers in order to receive more personalized care.

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.     |   PF Treatment Journey: Current Research Studies and Approved Medications

Speaker: Sydney Montesi, MD; Clinical Investigator, Assistant Professor Pulmonary, Mass General Research Institute; Assistant Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School; Assistant Physician Medicine-Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

In addition to clinical trials, there are many other types of research projects underway in pulmonary fibrosis. This session will discuss research that is not studying medications. It will also provide an overview of the FDA approved medications for pulmonary fibrosis.

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.     |   Break

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.     |   Health Maintenance with PF: Routine Testing, Symptom Management, and the Importance of Sleep

Speaker: Mary Beth Jamison, Nurse Practitioner, Interstitial Lung Disease and Sleep Medicine, Banner University Medical Center Tucson

Once diagnosed, pulmonary fibrosis patients may feel overwhelmed with navigating their upcoming appointments while managing their symptoms and wellbeing. This session will explain what tests are performed and at what intervals while also discussing managing symptoms like cough, using oxygen as prescribed, attending pulmonary rehabilitation, and getting enough rest to support health and wellbeing.

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.     |   PF Caregiving: What to Do and Where to Get Help

Speakers: Lanier O’Hare, MSN, CRNP, Nurse Practitioner - Sarcoidosis and ILD Clinics Interstitial Lung Disease Program Department of Medicine University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jennifer Simokaitis, Manager, PFF Help Center, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

Caring for someone living with pulmonary fibrosis is a substantial responsibility and can be both a comfort and a challenge to spouses, partners, family members, and friends. Caregivers take on many different roles and tasks, many of which are new to them. This session will provide an overview of caregiving, common concerns and challenges, and the emotional toll that caregivers may experience. It will also include resources for caregivers to find assistance and support in their community.

3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.     |   Break

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.     |   Mix ‘N Mingle Networking Session

Join other members of the pulmonary fibrosis community for a relaxed networking session at the end of the day. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know others, share stories, and find comfort in a group of people with similar experiences. With attendees from across the country, there may be a chance of meeting someone in your area! Please note that this session is only for patients, caregivers, family members, loved ones, lung transplant recipients, and others directly impacted by pulmonary fibrosis.