CHEST’s philanthropic mission is clear: to shape a better future for chest medicine and improve the lives of patients. One of the key initiatives supporting this mission is the CHEST Travel Grant program, designed to aid historically excluded populations and foster the professional growth of CHEST’s diverse community. These grants provide recipients with the opportunity to attend premier events in clinical chest medicine—opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach without financial assistance.

CHEST Travel Grants have enabled more than 170 early career clinicians to attend the CHEST Annual Meeting, immersing them in the camaraderie and educational excellence of the CHEST community. Among these clinicians is Viren Kaul, MD, FCCP, who received his travel grant in 2018—an experience that not only shaped his professional trajectory but also inspired his commitment to giving back.

How a travel grant can change a career

“When I received my grant, I was just starting my first year of fellowship,” Dr. Kaul recalled. “I had a general sense of where I wanted to go, but I lacked the network to help me get there. The travel grant was essential in connecting me with like-minded professionals.”

Dr. Kaul emphasized the dual importance of academic training and community support in the medical profession. He credits Aneesa Das, MD, FCCP, with introducing him to this philosophy. “My nomination from Dr. Das came unexpectedly. Sometimes sponsorship is deliberate and planned, but sometimes it happens organically. We didn’t know each other well, but through working together, she opened many doors for me,” he said.

While the stipend attached to the grant was significant—particularly for attending the CHEST Annual Meeting—Dr. Kaul said the grant offered far more than financial support. “The structure of the grant allowed me to attend exclusive events like the President’s Reception and the Breakfast of Champions,” he noted. “These gatherings enabled me to meet fellows, senior faculty, and other professionals in a relaxed, non-rushed environment. The opportunity to build these relationships early in my career was priceless.”

From recipient to donor

Throughout his career, Dr. Kaul has recognized that success in medicine extends beyond skill and knowledge acquisition. “There are so many facets of medicine that we don’t explore enough,” he explained. “The travel grant exposed me to educational and training opportunities early on—opportunities I didn’t even know existed.”

His experiences inspired him to become a donor to CHEST philanthropy, supporting initiatives that align with his passion for education and community engagement. “Education is incredibly important to me, both within the profession and the broader community. CHEST does an outstanding job with education and has made a significant impact on the communities we serve,” Dr. Kaul said.

A clear philanthropic philosophy

Dr. Kaul’s philanthropic perspective is both historical and forward-looking. “I’m passionate about examining what’s worked in the past, what hasn’t, and how we can improve,” he said.

He acknowledged the communication challenges that became evident during the pandemic and sees an opportunity for CHEST’s philanthropic efforts to bridge these gaps. “In this era of social media and rapid communication, there’s a significant disconnect between health care providers and communities. Physicians and professional organizations have a role to play in filling that gap. We need to work with communities to build trust, and I’d love to see CHEST continue to lead in that space,” he emphasized.

Dr. Kaul envisions a future where clinicians and communities collaborate continuously to address concerns and improve care. “We should be sitting down with community members to understand their perspectives and work together to address their concerns. That’s the space I want to contribute to and see flourish,” he said.

A call to action

Dr. Kaul’s message is clear: It’s never too early or too late to engage in CHEST philanthropy. “Becoming a donor isn’t just about financial contributions. It’s about giving your time, effort, and presence. Wherever you are in your career, however you can contribute, just reach out and say, ‘I want to be a part of this,’” he encouraged.