In Gratitude to Barbara Yawn, MD, MSc Upon Her Retirement from the COPD Foundation


Miami, FL April 28, 2021. The COPD Foundation sincerely thanks Barbara Yawn, MD, MSc, for her many years of service to the Foundation, where she has made a lasting impact.

Dr. Yawn has been involved with the Foundation since its inception through her contributions to the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (MASAC) and has also worked directly within the Foundation on several key initiatives over the past several years.

As a primary care physician and researcher, Dr. Yawn has provided a unique and critical perspective to the Foundation’s work. During her time with the Foundation, she has championed the inclusion of people with COPD and their caregivers in all aspects of the Foundation’s work and especially in their role as active participants of clinical research teams. Dr. Yawn has grown the COPD Foundation’s Patient-Powered Research Network and served as the principal investigator on several critical studies showcasing the power of the network. In addition, she has advanced the COPD Foundation’s educational efforts including translating research results into understandable language for our patient and caregiver communities.

"We are incredibly grateful for Barbara’s tireless dedication to the Foundation over the years," said Byron Thomashow, MD, Founder, Board Member and Chief Medical Officer of the Foundation.

The Foundation wishes Dr. Yawn success in her future endeavors as she continues to work tirelessly for the COPD community.

About the COPD Foundation
The COPD Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established to improve the lives of people with COPD, bronchiectasis, and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease through initiatives that expand services and speed innovations which will make treatment more effective and affordable. We do this through scientific research, education, advocacy, and awareness with the goal of disease prevention and progression, and ultimately a cure.