While we could not have known a year ago that we would soon be grappling with the deadliest pandemic to hit the United States in our lifetimes, I’m inspired by the ways the Temple Lung Center community has risen up to address COVID-19.

Temple has been on the frontlines of the region’s pandemic response with excellent patient care and leading clinical research, including COVID vaccine trials. And our response has been global: early connections with colleagues in Wuhan, China helped us plan how to care for our most vulnerable community members. We have stayed in touch with colleagues worldwide throughout the pandemic, collaborating and sharing insights to ensure that COVID patients everywhere receive the best possible care.

Of course, pulmonary care is always in high demand. As we care for those with COVID-19, we also have maintained a safe and effective practice for our many non-COVID patients. Thanks to telemedicine and careful facilities planning, patients needing all varieties of pulmonary care have been able to rely on us throughout the pandemic.

Not only that: we have advanced new treatment and diagnostic options, including enhanced bronchosopic lung volume reduction and robotic-assisted endoluminal biopsy technology. We have maintained robust clinical research, training and mentorship programs. We have grown our department, and a new location will be opening on the Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus in February.

2020 was a year of unprecedented challenge, met with determination, innovation, and commitment to our patients and to each other. And we will keep leading our profession, no matter what 2021 might throw our way.

Thank you for being part of this community.

Gerard J. Criner, MD, FACP, FACCP

Read more in the Winter 2021 edition of the Pulmonary & Thoracic Medicine Newsletter for Temple Lung Center alumni: