Kathleen (“Kathy”) Ramos, 
MD, MS

Assistant Professor, University of Washington


CHEST 2019

CHEST Foundation Grant in Cystic Fibrosis awardee

@kathyjramos


Hometown

Philadelphia, PA

This is the first time the CHEST Annual Meeting has taken place in New Orleans since 1997. What were you doing in that year?

At 15 years old, I was taking driving lessons with my learner’s permit!

If you could arrange a one-on-one mentor session with one presenter, who would it be and why?

Dr. Stephanie Levine. It would be great to hear about her path to the presidency, goals for the organization, and advice for a young physician with an interest in lung transplantation.

Do you think your pet knows you’re away from home? What is its name?

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Misty May, definitely knows I am away from home—we snuggle every night.

How did you get your start in the pulmonology field?

As a first-year fellow at the University of Washington, I was drawn to lung transplant and was in awe that it “actually works!” I found a fantastic mentor in cystic fibrosis (CF) clinical research, Dr. Chris Goss, and I developed a niche in advanced CF and lung transplant outcomes research.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? 

Go on vacation! I love to read my waterproof kindle while walking around in a swimming pool with a delicious beverage in hand.

What do you enjoy most about the CHEST Annual Meeting?

The people! It is a great opportunity to interact with giants in the field, learn the most up-to-date clinical approaches, and find potential collaborators.

Who is your favorite person to follow on Twitter in the pulmonology profession? 

Taylor Swift! Oh, in pulmonary…? The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation—they are always tweeting about interesting blogs, advocacy events, and important updates for the community.

What is your favorite thing about New Orleans and your favorite Cajun or Creole dish?

I LOVE the beignets at Café Du Monde. I’m a big fan of shrimp and grits, too.

What is your favorite thing about New Orleans and your favorite Cajun or Creole dish?
I am looking forward to an early morning run near the French Quarter and perhaps the Riverwalk by the Mississippi River. I plan to do the run because I absolutely love hush puppies and look forward to consuming my share while in New Orleans.