Read our members' Stories
"Smoking cessation had not always been a priority for BTS, but our study set a pattern for studies to follow. It really kicked off smoking cessation work for BTS."
Dr Ian Campbell is a retired consultant respiratory physician. Here he offers us reflections on his 1983 BTS smoking cessation study, Comparison of four methods of smoking withdrawal in patients with smoking related diseases.
Dr Campbell chaired the Research Committee, the Joint Tuberculosis Committee, the Tobacco Committee and in 2003 was President of the British Thoracic Society (BTS).
Read Dr Campbell's story in full.
"When I look back over my 46 years in medicine, I think that probably the most exciting and lively times were when I was involved with the BTS and the campaign to ban tobacco advertising."
Professor John Moxham is Emeritus Professor of Respiratory Medicine at King’s College London. Here he offers us his reflections on the work of the Society on tobacco control, in which he was instrumental.
Professor Moxham was the Chair of the first BTS Tobacco Committee and a recipient of the BTS Medal in 2020.
Read Professor Moxham's story in full.
"I joined the BTS in 1996 and the chest physician I worked with kindly paid my joining fee for me as I was broke in those days and a subscription to a professional body seemed a huge outlay from my salary!"
Dr Elaine Bevan-Smith shares her memories of joining BTS and attending a Summer Meeting in Nottingham.
Dr Bevan-Smith is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner/Senior Lecturer at the University of Gloucester.
Read Dr Bevan-Smith's story in full.
“I have such clear memories of the inaugural meeting of the British Thoracic Society (BTS) held at York University in 1982, that it could be yesterday!”
Professor Paul A. Corris, Professor Emeritus in Thoracic Medicine at Newcastle University, recounts his experience of the very first BTS Summer Meeting in 1982.
Professor Corris was the BTS Scientific Committee Chair and Scientific Meeting Organiser in 1994-1995, and BTS President in 2009-2010
Read Professor Corris' story in full.
“Like many others, I hoped the new BTS would be a home for all, promoting excellence in science and clinical practice without losing its human face – and so it proved to be.”
Professor Peter Calverley, Emeritus Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Liverpool, shares his memories of the first years of the Society since its formation.
Professor Calverley was BTS President in 2006-2007, and one of the 500 founding members of BTS.
Read Professor Calverley's story in full.
"(...) as a member of both of the constituent associations [of BTS] I do recall voting on the issue in both, and irresponsibly thinking that a reduction in number of societies meant less opportunity to attend scientific meetings!"
Professor Martyn Partridge, Emeritus Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College London, offers us his reflections on the work of the Society since its founding day and where he sees it heading in the future.
Professor Partridge was BTS President in 2007-2008, and one of the 500 founding members of BTS.