Italians have contributed significantly to the advancement of medicine in general and respiratory diseases in particular. The role of Italians of different migratory generations have enrichened the landscape of respiratory diseases in the United States. In particular, the personal experience and academic contribution of three current clinician-scientists of Italian origin attest to the constructive role played by this ethnic group in the context of the diverse society in which we live.

• Provide an overview of the contribution of Italians to medicine in general and respiratory medicine in particular.

• Provide a first-hand experience of three clinical-scientists of Italian origins in the respiratory medicine landscape in the United States.