Aging in the New Era of CF
This program has been designed to advance collaborative research and treatment of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF).
Continued progress in CFTR-targeted therapeutics has driven a rapid increase in life-expectancy with meaningful improvements in lung function, nutritional metrics, and pregnancies.
The next frontier of extending and improving the lives of people with CF is addressing the host of non-pulmonary CF-related comorbidities that present or progress in adulthood, including GI complications, diabetes, bone disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, ongoing and new sinopulmonary complications, and others.
This educational program focuses on the multi-organ impact of CF. By identifying, educating, and connecting the next generation of CF care providers and thought leaders, it will also serve as a catalyst for innovative research activities.
Program Components and Benefits
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3-day symposium in Dallas TX, Nov 12-14, 2026 featuring presentations, workshops, small-group discussions & time for networking. The program will focus on the multi-system impact of CF. Patient voice will be incorporated for all topic areas.
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4 quarterly virtual meetings of fellows and faculty focused on high priority educational topics.
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Ongoing mentorship from world renowned conference faculty, both during and beyond 3-day symposium, is focused on assisting Fellows in the identification, design, and execution of a research project related to the challenges and needs of adults aging with CF.
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Membership in a growing CFRI Patrick Nash Fellows Program alumni network.
Eligibility
Patrick Nash was an adult with CF who was intensely interested in the emerging health issued faced by adults with cystic fibrosis. While exploring strategies with Dr. Ahmet Uluer to expand research and improve coordinated care for adults with CF Patrick was diagnosed with an aggressive pancreatic cancer. He lost his battle in November of 2022.
Clinical trainees or physician researchers up to two years post fellowship or residency; exceptional senior residents will also be considered.
Experience and demonstrated ongoing interest in adult CF care.
Relevant medical specialty (including but not limited to):
If Accepted to the Program, fellows agree to:
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Pre-work: Review 5 hours of curated online content
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Attend and participate in all sessions of the conference, including meals and social functions
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Attend virtual program kickoff and at least 3 of 4 quarterly post-conference virtual meetings
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Complete all requested meeting evaluations
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Share relevant knowledge via post-conference presentations and/or publication activities as requested and as schedule allows
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Identify and pursue a research project, developed with an assigned faculty mentor, including regular check-ins, progress updates, and a final summary of findings or next-step recommendations
Symposium Meeting
Thu, Nov 12th –
Sat, Nov 14th, 2026
The Adolphus Hotel
1321 Commerce St.
Dallas, TX 75202
CFRI will cover the cost of travel, accommodations & meals during the symposium
Symposium Sessions
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History & Development of Adult CF Care
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The CF Care and Research Ecosystem: Becoming Part of a CF Center
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CFTR Modulator Benefits, Complications, and Implications on Aging
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Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers Among Aging Adults
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Diabetes in the Aging CF Population
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Cardiovascular Disease and CF: Modulator and Non-Modulator Associated Risks of Cardiac Disease
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Cystic Fibrosis and Reproductive & Sexual Health
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Antimicrobial Resistance and New/Pipeline Therapies
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Emerging Topics in CF Adult Comorbidities and Care
Program Faculty
A. Whitney Brown, MD
Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and CF pulmonologist at the Inova Fairfax Hospital Advanced Lung
Disease and Transplant Program
Jennifer Taylor Cousar, MD, MSCS
Medical Director, Clinical Research Services; Co-Director, Adult CF
Center; Director, CF Therapeutics Development Center; Professor,
Div. of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. National
Jewish Health
Steven Freedman, MD, PhD
Chief, Div. of Translational Research & Director, The Pancreas
Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Senior
Gastroenterologist, Adult CF Center, Brigham and Women’s
Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. Professor of Medicine at
Harvard Medical School
Raksha Jain, MD
Professor, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Div. of Pulmonary and
Clinical Care Medicine; Medical Director of the Adult Cystic
Fibrosis Program, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Richard Moss, MD
Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, Center for Excellence in
Pulmonary Biology in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary, Asthma
& Sleep Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine
Joseph Pilewski, MD
Co-Director, CF Program; Associate Chief for Clinical Affairs
Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine; Professor of
Medicine, Pediatrics, and Clinical and Translational Medicine.
University of Pittsburgh
Deepika Polineni, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and
Pulmonary Medicine; Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at
Washington University in St. Louis
Melissa Putman, MD, MMSc
Director, Massachusetts Medical Hospital Diabetes Research
Center. Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School
Ahmet Uluer, DO, MPH
Director, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center and Adult TDC Center,
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
James Yankaskas, MD
Professor of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Program Fellows
