Meet Your COPD Foundation Captains!

COPD Foundation Captains are volunteers with COPD, caregivers, friends and family members or healthcare providers who use their contacts and talents and partner with the COPD Foundation to serve as state and community leaders.

Captains promote the importance of becoming a part of the COPD community. They work to spread COPD awareness in their state and local areas, mentor fellow COPD community members, and participate in online and in-person grassroots advocacy and community building activities focused on health policy issues that are important to those who have COPD. If you are interested in joining our group of volunteers, click here.

If you'd like to speak with a COPD Foundation Captain directly, please email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org and we will connect you with the Captain in your area of interest.


Dr. Krithika Rao

Dr. Krithika Rao Profile Photo Mumbai, India


Hello everyone,
I'm Dr. Krithika Rao, and I’m truly honored to step into the role of COPD Captain for the Mumbai region. As a pulmonary physiotherapist with years of experience, I've had the privilege of working closely with individuals managing COPD, gaining deep insight into their struggles and helping them navigate their journey toward better respiratory health.

My interest in COPD began early during my medical training, and over time—through various research projects and clinical experiences—it grew into a deep-rooted passion. Walking alongside patients on their COPD journey has shown me just how many hurdles they face while striving for a sense of normalcy in daily life.

As your COPD Foundation Captain, my mission centers on three key goals: raising awareness; advocating for meaningful, patient-centered issues and contribute to research in the field of COPD. I am committed to being a trusted guide on your path to wellness, focusing on evidence-based approaches to treatment and care. I hope to support you not only in improving your quality of life but also in nurturing stronger, more fulfilling human connections along the way.

 



COPD Foundation State Captain Program Informational Video

The COPD Foundation is looking for new State Captains to join our community to be champions for promoting COPD awareness, improving quality of life for those with COPD, to participate in research opportunities, policy, and much more. Email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org for questions and to start the onboarding process today!