GlaxoSmithKline joins CHEST in the fight against COVID-19 with donation supporting physician resources and patient education
July 6, 2020
GLENVIEW, IL— In response to the need presented in the global fight against the new coronavirus (COVID-19), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is supporting the American College of Chest Physicians® (CHEST) in its efforts to provide the most current and accurate information and education to protect frontline clinicians and help them provide the best possible patient outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The GSK donation of $250,000 will provide immediate support for CHEST’s education and resource initiatives, which are especially important to physicians caring for and supporting the most vulnerable patients during this pandemic: those with underlying chronic lung conditions.
Programs supported by this donation include the Clinician Matching Network, a free service that connects skilled clinicians with hospitals in need of additional frontline staff. The Clinician Matching Network linked more than 350 physicians with hospitals most impacted during the peak of the COVID-19 surge, especially those practicing in New York City. Clinicians are recruited from the partnering associations of CHEST, the American Association for Respiratory Care, American Society of Anesthesiologists and American Thoracic Society.
In addition, CHEST has developed patient- and caregiver-focused resources that address the unique challenges and needs of those with chronic lung conditions, such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and interstitial lung disease. This includes the rapid delivery of online resources that provide evidence-based guidelines for the critical care of patients with COVID-19 in the ICU.
“CHEST is here to help clinicians meet the challenges of this pandemic by providing the resources and education needed to save lives,” said CHEST President Stephanie M. Levine, MD, FCCP. “Partnerships with global health care leaders like GSK are essential to making these resources available to clinicians and providing patient education to those most at risk.”
“As part of our ongoing efforts to contribute to the fight against COVID-19, we are proud to support CHEST’s efforts to provide much needed education, resources and support to patients with underlying chronic lung conditions who are among some of the highest risk, most underserved members of our communities,” said Toby Patterson, MD, Senior Vice President of U.S. Medical Affairs at GSK. “As the leader in respiratory disease, we have a longstanding commitment to work with the health care community to help find solutions and provide support to help ensure patients can receive the care they need. These efforts also include programs available to help patients, including those impacted by COVID-19, access medicines and vaccines.”
CHEST will continue to release additional resources in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support physicians and patients. For more information, go to chestnet.org.
About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians® (CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion advanced clinical practice education, communication, and research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 19,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. For information about the American College of Chest Physicians, and its flagship journal CHEST®, visit chestnet.org.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GSK is a science-led, global health care company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better and live longer. For further information, please visit gsk.com.