USA Health residents showcase research at international thoracic conference
Posted on July 29, 2026 by Marketing and Communications
Eight residents from the Internal Medicine Residency Program at USA Health presented research at the 2026 American Thoracic Society International Conference in Orlando, Florida.
The conference is one of the world’s leading gatherings for pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine professionals. The annual event draws approximately 14,000 attendees from more than 100 countries and highlights the latest advances in respiratory health, research and patient care.
Residents representing USA Health included:
- Aariez Khalid, D.O., second-year resident, presented "Chronic Cavitary Pulmonary Aspergillosis Following Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection and Lobectomy: A Case of Progressive Postinfectious Pulmonary Fibrosis" and "Heartburn and a Chest Wall Mass: Revisiting Esophageal Adenocarcinoma."
- Muhammad Abdullah Amir Sheikh, M.D., second-year resident, presented "Cardiac Tamponade as a Rare Complication of Megakaryoblastic Blast Phase of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia" and "Sequential Pulmonary Infections With Rare Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Mycobacterium Cosmeticum, Mycobacterium Chimaera, and Mycobacterium Intracellulare."
- Muhammad Dawood Amir Sheikh, M.D., third-year resident, presented "Fibrosing Mediastinitis Mimicking Malignancy: A Rare Presentation With Pleural Effusion," "Recreational Nitrous Oxide to Catastrophic VTE: A Case of Surgical and Mechanical Rescue" and "Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency Mimicking TTP: A Case of Pseudo-TMA."
- Ekta Khubchandani, M.D., third-year resident, presented "Not all lung masses are cancers, a case pulmonary nocardia."
- Garrett Tobin, M.D., third-year resident, presented "Pursuing a Rare Diagnosis: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura."
- Kristen Buchanan, M.D., second-year resident, presented "Use of Inhaled Epoprostenol to Facilitate Ventilator Weaning in Scleroderma-Associated Group 1 Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Acute Right Heart Failure."
- Markus Feucht Archila, M.D., second-year resident, presented "Mycobacterium Abscessus as a Rare Cause of Persistent Tracheostomy Wound Infection" and "Recurrent Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Infection Associated With Long-term Hot Tub Exposure."
- Omsai Meka, M.D., second-year resident, presented "To Pull or Not to Pull? Successful Empyema Therapy Despite Persistent Drainage."
The Pulmonary and Critical Care Division also was represented by Philip Almalouf,
M.D., and pulmonary and critical care fellow Angad Singh, M.D.
Residents presented research and clinical cases while connecting with physicians,
researchers and trainees from around the world.
“I was grateful for the opportunity to present a rare case at ATS and represent USA,” Khalid said. “It was meaningful to showcase the supportive culture, mentorship and academic environment that USA provides for its trainees. Experiences like this reinforce the importance of research, collaboration and sharing knowledge to improve patient care.”
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is an international medical society dedicated to advancing respiratory health through multidisciplinary collaboration, education, research and advocacy.