Professor Margaret-Ann Carno to Lead American Thoracic Society's Nursing Assembly

Professor of Clinical Nursing Margaret-Ann Carno, PhD, MBA, MJ, CPNP-AC/PC, CNE, FAAN, ATSF, has been elected as Chair of the Nursing Assembly for the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the world's leading medical society dedicated to advancing respiratory health.

Carno first became involved in ATS while she was a doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh, and has remained active in the organization for more than 20 years in various roles. She currently serves on its ethics and conflict of interest committee.

As assembly chair, she will oversee all of the Nursing Assembly’s activities, including programming, planning, and its working and interest groups. She will also have the opportunity to serve on the ATS board of directors and leadership committee.

"It’s an honor and a privilege that also comes with great responsibility," Carno said. "It’s important to make sure the nursing perspective is heard. The leadership is extremely supportive of the nursing assembly, and wants to listen to our voices." 

Carno is a pediatric nurse practitioner for Pediatric Sleep Medicine Services at Golisano Children's Hospital, and one of only a few PhD-prepared nurses to be board-certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.

ATS comprises more than 16,000 physicians, research scientists, nurses and other health care professionals from around the world. Carno said she looks forward to representing nurses and the unique, holistic, and interprofessional approach they bring to pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine.

“I’m looking forward to engaging nurses more, looking at new opportunities for collaboration with other assemblies, supporting ideas the members wish to bring forward, and of course, helping ensure a voice and presence for nurses,” she said.

Carno will also be able to collaborate with another University of Rochester Medical Center colleague in ATS’ new cohort of leaders: M. Patricia Rivera, M.D., division chief of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, was named the new president of ATS. Rivera is the first Latina woman and first UR faculty member to lead the organization.

Carno expressed gratitude for the opportunities ATS has created for her to hone new skills, grow as a leader, and make an impact on other nurses. Among her goals as chair-elect is to serve as a mentor to junior members of the assembly looking to further their academic careers.

“When you start getting involved in a professional organization, you’re giving back to your profession and helping to bring those that are behind you along,” she said. “I have done a lot of work to reach the rank of full professor. Now, I have time to promote those who are coming after me.”