Lung disease (pulmonology)
About
The University of Minnesota is world-renowned for its care for people with lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. University of Minnesota Physicians offers coordinated care for lung disease in one place. As educators and researchers in the University of Minnesota Medical School, we seek better ways to treat lung problems, and we bring these innovations to you. For example, our pioneering efforts in preventing CF symptoms in children helped them achieve the highest survival rates in the nation.
The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview's lung transplant center is recognized as one of the world’s largest and most experienced. More than 500 people received lung transplants here from 1986 to 2005 with excellent success rates. Our program consistently rates among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Conditions we treat
We provide specialty care for (but not limited to):
For adults
- Asthma
- Bronchial asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema)
- Chronic lung infection
- Cystic fibrosis
- Lung cancer diagnosis
- Pneumonoconiosis
- Pneumothorax
- Psittacosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary vascular disease (fibrosis and hypertension)
- Sleep apnea and sleep breathing disorders
For children
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease with lung complications
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Infections, including:
- Complicated cases of pneumonia
- Histoplasmosis and other fungal infections
- Tuberculosis
- Interstitial lung disease
- Neurological disorders
- Brain or spinal cord injuries
- Diseases, including Duchenne’s and other muscular dystrophies
- Primary ciliary diseases
- Respiratory problems related to:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Premature birth
- Transplants
- Symptoms of undetermined origin, such as:
- Cough
- Noisy breathing
- Recurrent pneumonia
- Shortness of breath
- Sinusitis
- Wheezing
- Ventilator dependent conditions
Lung Clinic
A full range of care is offered, including diagnosis of pulmonary issues, medical treatment, transplantation, clinical trials, and follow-up. Our clinic is part of the University of Minnesota’s Transplant Center, creating excellent, coordinated care if you need a lung transplant.
Transplant Center
UMPhysicians specialists and staff offer the latest in transplant surgery and supporting resources for patients, based on the University’s broad experience in transplants. The Transplant Center performs 20 to 50 lung transplants a year for people with pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “Firsts” in Minnesota by the Transplant Center include the first heart/lung transplant, lung transplant, and living donor lung transplant.
Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center
Children ages 6 to 17 who receive care in this center, operated by University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, have the highest lung function in the nation. The center, which also serves adults, applies the most up-to-date clinical research to patient care, leading to excellent outcomes. It is accredited at the highest level by the CF Foundation. CF often affects several body organs and functions, so special clinics are offered for these complications:
- CF-related diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- Reproductive
- Ear, Nose and Throat
Treatments
Clinics & Providers
- Arndt, Patrick G, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Aviles, Emily , MS, BSN, ACNP
- Nurse Practitioner
- Bhargava, Maneesh, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Bijwadia, Jagdeep, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Sleep Medicine Physician; Director, Sleep Center at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview
- Billings, Joanne L, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Bitterman, Peter B, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Research Director, Lillehei Heart Institute; Associate Director, M.D./Ph.D. Program
- Broccard, Alain F, M.D.
- Pulmonologist, Critical Care Physician and Sleep Medicine Physician
- Burton, Susan, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Cervenka, Tereza, M.D.
- Pulmonologist, Critical Care Physician and Sleep Medicine Physician
- Diebold, Deanna, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Dincer, Huseyin E., MD
- Dunitz, Jordan M, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Director, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program
- Hebbeler-Clark, Renee S, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Infectious Disease Physician
- Henke, Craig A, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Hertz, Marshall I, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Director, Center for Advanced Lung Disease; Medical Director, Lung Transplant Program
- Iber, Conrad, M.D.
- Pulmonologist, Critical Care Physician and Sleep Medicine Physician
- Ingbar, David H, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Chair, Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Division; Medical Co-Director of Medical ICU and Respiratory Care
- Kempainen, Robert R, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Khalil, Wajahat, M.D.
- Pulmonologist, Critical Care Physician and Sleep Medicine Physician
- Kim, Hyun J, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Medical Director, Pulmonary Function Test Laboratory
- McCauley, Joel A., M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Moore, Brooke M. , M.D.
- O'Brien, Cathy, MSN, FNP-BC
- Nurse Practitioner
- Patil, Jagadish M.R., M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Perlman, David M, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician
- Theobald, Michelle, B.S., M.S., P.A.-C
- Physician Assistant
- Valapour, Maryam, MD
- Pulmonologist
- Weinert, Craig R, M.D., M.P.H.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Co-Medical Director, Medical ICU
- Wendt, Christine H, M.D.
- Pulmonologist and Critical Care Physician; Director, Endoscopy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Williams, Bryan, M.D., Ph.D.
- Pulmonologist, Critical Care Physician
Specialty highlights
Research highlights
Center for Lung Science and Health
Our physicians conduct research to improve how lungs heal from disease after lung transplants and acute lung injury. The center is the University’s home for research into new treatments, education and public outreach.
Leadership in cystic fibrosis research
Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center is the only center in Minnesota and one of 13 in the U.S. designated by the Cystic Fibrosis Center as a Translational and Therapeutics Development Center. This allows patients to benefit from our research. Our center is a world leader in studying the metabolic effects of CF, including CF-related diabetes.
“Firsts” in CF research
The University of Minnesota developed the chest-vibrating vest that clears the lungs of people with CF. University researchers were the first to show that diabetes is associated with increased deaths among people with CF.