Renowned cystic fibrosis expert honored with 2024 Impact Award

Patrick Flume, M.D., the Powers-Huggins Endowed Chair for Cystic Fibrosis at MUSC, was honored with the prestigious 2024 Impact Award by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at its second annual Breath of Life Celebration in Charleston, South Carolina. More than 300 leaders and colleagues gathered at the annual gala event on Feb. 23 to celebrate Flume’s achievements.

Flume, an internationally recognized expert and leader in the field of cystic fibrosis (CF), received the award for his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of individuals with cystic fibrosis and advancing research in the field.

“I am deeply appreciative of and profoundly humbled by this acknowledgment,” said Flume. “I am grateful for the opportunities afforded to me yet acutely aware that my success is bolstered by a team of exceptional individuals who enhance and elevate my efforts daily. The underlying lesson here is the importance of assembling a capable team and entrusting them to excel at their roles.”

“Clinical trials are pivotal in shaping a brighter future for patients and their families. Thanks to these trials, the outlook for individuals with CF has improved significantly, offering hope for a longer, more vibrant life.”

-- Dr. Patrick Flume

As the director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center at MUSC, Flume has played a key role in elevating the center to a national level of excellence. This effort resulted in the center's designation as a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited CF Care Center, the only accredited center in the Lowcountry and the largest in South Carolina. Patients from great distances choose to come to the center because of Flume’s expertise.

“Dr. Patrick Flume is a much-admired, world-class team leader in both cystic fibrosis care and research. The CF Foundation is so fortunate and grateful for his expertise and support in numerous roles as well as his enduring dedication to caring for the people with CF and families he sees at MUSC,” said Michael Boyle, M.D., president and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Flume’s international reputation as an expert in cystic fibrosis is highlighted by his role as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis and service on multiple committees for the CF Foundation, including founding co-chair of the foundation's Pulmonary Practice Guidelines Committee.

 

A seasoned leader in cystic fibrosis research, Flume has secured numerous grants, authored a significant body of peer-reviewed publications and held key positions within MUSC, including his current role as associate vice president for clinical research in the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). In this role, Flume is responsible for managing all areas of clinical research, as well as clinical trials, for the academic health system.

Flume also leads a robust clinical research program within the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine and is co-principal investigator for the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute.

“Dr. Flume isn’t just a doctor; he is the reason that I am alive today. Few have any idea of the breadth of Dr. Flume’s contributions and the breath that he put back into our lungs.”

--Will Cathcart, patient with cystic fibrosis

“Clinical trials are pivotal in shaping a brighter future for patients and their families, exemplifying the vital role each participant plays in advancing medical progress,” said Flume. “Thanks to these trials, the outlook for individuals with CF has improved significantly, offering hope for a longer, more vibrant life.”

Flume’s wide-ranging contributions to the cystic fibrosis community have earned him much-deserved respect from colleagues, patients and families.

“Dr. Flume isn’t just a doctor; he is the reason that I am alive today,” said Will Cathcart, an adult with cystic fibrosis who was diagnosed with the disease at age 2. “Like all diseases, there neither is, nor will there ever be, a magic bullet for cystic fibrosis. The cure is knowledge, grit and love ... Few have any idea of the breadth of Dr. Flume’s contributions and the breath that he put back into our lungs.”