Clinical Services

Vanderbilt Lung Institute

 

Inpatient Clinical Services

 

Rogers Pulmonary Service

A board-certified pulmonologist, an internal medicine resident, and a pulmonary fellow comprise the inpatient pulmonary service. This service admits patients with a variety of pulmonary problems from VUMC clinics, the ED, and the ICUs. It also accepts transfers from other hospitals. Daily multidisciplinary rounds ensure that all patients receive state of the art therapies and that our trainees receive adequate exposure to complex pulmonary medicine problems.

 

Pulmonary Consult Service

A pulmonologist and a pulmonary fellow comprise the inpatient pulmonary service. At times, internal medicine residents are also part of the service. The Pulmonary Consult Service provides consultations 24-hours/day throughout VUMC, including critical care problems outside of the Medical Intensive Care Unit. The team makes daily rounds and performs procedures such as bronchoscopy (including advanced techniques such as Endobronchial Ultrasound and Navigational Bronchoscopy), Thoracentesis and advanced management of pleural diseases by thoracoscopy, chest thoracostomy, pleural biopsy, etc.

To request a pulmonary consultation or to inquire about the transfer of a non-critically ill patient to the Rogers Pulmonary Service, contact the Pulmonary Fellow through the VUMC main operator at (615) 322-2386.

 

Advanced Lung Disease Service

The Advanced Lung Disease Service manages patients who are either being evaluated for or are recovering from lung transplantation. A pulmonologist and a team of specialized nurse practitioners care for patients in the Advance Respiratory Care Unit. Pulmonary fellows may join the service as an elective rotation.

 

Medical Intensive Care Unit

The Vanderbilt Medical ICU provides critical care services 24/7 in a 35-bed state-of-the-art facility. Three teams of clinicians provide round-the-clock care: two teams of medical residents and one team of specialized critical care nurse practitioners. Each team is supervised by a dedicated pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow and faculty member. All MICU faculty have been board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Critical Care Medicine. 

Because the unit stresses high quality, cost-effective patient care delivered in a collaborative environment, the Vanderbilt MICU has become a national leader in critical care education and research. Nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, and physical therapists actively participate in daily bedside teachings and work rounds.

Consensus "critical pathways" for the most common admission problems are used extensively to improve care and control costs. The six diagnoses that account for most ICU admissions are: sepsis (severe infection), acute respiratory distress syndrome, gastrointestinal bleeding, transplantation, and poisoning or overdose. A primary focus of the Vanderbilt MICU is on discovering new therapies and using research to improve care and outcomes for critically ill adults. 

To obtain a critical care consult or to transfer a patient to the MICU at any time, contact the Transfer Center at (615) 343 - 0976.

 

Outpatient Clinical Services and Programs

To learn more about these services or if you want to refer a patient, please call the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

 
Interstitial Lung Diseases/Pulmonary Fibrosis

 

Dr. Lisa Lancaster is the Director of the VUMC Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program that comprises a multi-disciplinary team of pulmonologists, NPs, clinical coordinators, and research coordinators. The VUMC ILD Program provides state-of-the-art evaluation and management of patients with ILD and pulmonary fibrosis. It is a member of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) Care Center Network, which recognizes ILD centers of excellence in patient care, research, and education. We are the only PFF-certified specialized ILD center in a 200-mile radius and our patients come from Tennessee and surrounding states in the southeast.

The ILD Program has a weekly multidisciplinary meeting that includes pulmonologists, chest radiologists, lung pathologists, and rheumatologists. These meetings are considered the standard of art for the diagnosis of fibrotic lung diseases and was one of the first to be established in the country. In addition to excellence in patient care, the ILD program also has a well-developed infrastructure to support clinical research. The program's many ongoing registries and clinical trials afford patients the opportunity of participating in the effort to better understand and conquer pulmonary fibrosis.

Patients or physicians seeking more information or in need of an appointment can contact the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

Faculty

Joao de Andrade, MD

Rosemarie Dudenhofer, MD

Justin Hewlett, MD

Lisa Lancaster, MD

Erica Ludtke, APRN, MSN, AGNP-C

Margaret Salisbury, MD

Rare Lung Diseases and Sarcoidosis 

 

Dr. Justin Hewlett leads the VUMC Rare Lung Disease and Sarcoidosis Clinics. In addition to Sarcoidosis, he also provides specialized care for patients with conditions such as:

  • lymphagioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
  • fibrosing mediastinitis
  • cystic lung diseases
  • Birt-Hogg-Dube

Dr. Hewlett collaborates closely with other VUMC providers in Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, and Thoracic Surgery to provide state-of-the-art evaluation and access to cutting edge therapies for his patients.

Patients or physicians seeking more information or in need of an appointment can contact the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

Faculty

Justin Hewlett, MD

Erica Ludtke, APRN, MSN, AGNP-C

Adult Cystic Fibrosis

 

Most patients with cystic fibrosis now live into adulthood and collectively represent an important and rapidly growing patient group for adult pulmonary-critical care physicians. The Division's Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Accredited Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program is directed by James Tolle, M.D. It provides expert and comprehensive care to over 200 adults with Cystic Fibrosis. Along with providing state of the art clinical care, the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program serves as a venue for resident and fellow education. Patients are provided the opportunity to participate in investigational studies of new drug and gene therapies available on a limited basis.

Faculty and staff of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic can be contacted and appointments/referrals can be made through the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386. 

Faculty

Susan Eastman, NP

Alison Miller, MD

James Tolle, MD

Interventional Pulmonology/Lung Nodules/Thoracic Oncology

 

Dr. Otis Rickman is the Director of VUMC’s Interventional Pulmonology (IP) Program. VUMC has two state of the art bronchoscopy and interventional procedure suites, and performs over 1800 procedures/year.

Diagnostic and interventional bronchoscopy using the latest tools enable the rapid diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary, pleural, and airway diseases.  New technologies include endobronchial ultrasound for fine needle aspiration, superDimension-guided biopsy of peripheral lesions, lasers and stents for management of airway disease, endobronchial brachytherapy, and autofluorescence bronchoscopy to detect dysplastic and in-situ carcinomas. Additionally, the VUMC IP Program also has a number of ongoing clinical research projects that are aimed at developing novel techniques and tools.

This team also participates in the Thoracic Oncology Clinic which is a multi-disciplinary outpatient program, staffed by pulmonologists, as well as, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, oncology and pulmonary fellows. The program is designed to expeditiously evaluate lung masses and begin appropriate therapy. In addition to efficiently serving patients, the program serves as a valuable teaching site for trainees. Patients with thoracic malignancies are offered the opportunity to participate in cutting edge clinical research trials. The clinic is housed in the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) which is one of only 40 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Institutes of Health.

Patients or physicians seeking more information can contact the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386. For appointments with the Thoracic Oncology Clinic, please call the VICC Access Center at (615) 936-8422.

Faculty

Robert Lentz, MD

Fabien Maldonado, MD

Otis Rickman, MD

Charla Walston, NP

Melissa Warren, MD

Lung Transplantation

 

The Vanderbilt Lung Transplant Program was established in 1987 by Dr. William Frist and Dr. James Loyd. It is currently directed by Dr. David Erasmus (Medical Director), Dr. Anil Trindade (Associate Medical Director) and by Dr. Eric Lambright (Surgical Director). In 2018, Dr. Matt Bacchetta was recruited as the Chief Surgical Officer at the Vanderbilt Lung Institute. Bacchetta incorporated novel techniques and strategies such as, ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), that led to a substantial increase in the number of transplants while maintaining safety and quality. The creation of the Advanced Lung Disease Service allowed us to provide highly specialized, safe, and effective care for this patient population. To this date, over 680 patients have been transplanted at Vanderbilt, and the clinics provide life-long care for all lung transplant recipients. The outcomes following lung transplant at Vanderbilt have been consistently better than the national data that is tracked and reported by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). 

Lung transplantation may be appropriate for patients with end-stage emphysema, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary fibrosis and early referral is recommended to provide adequate time for a comprehensive evaluation and counseling for patients/ families. Lung transplantation is generally reserved for patients less than age 70 who do not have other significant medical conditions.

A brochure for patients and physicians, which explains lung transplantation, its limitations and the details of the Vanderbilt program, can be requested by phone at (615) 936-0393 or at https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/transplant/29453.

Faculty

David Erasmus, MD

Katie McPherson, MD

Stephanie Norfolk, MD

Ivan Robbins, MD

Ciara Shaver, MD, PhD

Anil Trindade, MD

Pulmonary Hypertension/Pulmonary Vascular Clinic

 

Dr. Ivan Robbins is the Director of the VUMC Pulmonary Hypertension Program. The Pulmonary Vascular Clinic at VUMC is the only accredited pulmonary hypertension care center in Tennessee, which is a recognition of our excellence in clinical care, education, and research.

This clinic offers the full range of treatments, from oral, inhaled, and infused medications to catheter-based therapies and surgical treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The surgeons are highly skilled in performing pulmonary thromboendarterectomy, an advanced procedure that removes blood clots from the lung. We also offer extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and lung transplantation for selected severely ill patients with pulmonary vascular disease.

The VUMC pulmonary vascular team works closely with experts in other specialties such as Thoracic Surgery, Cardiology, Rheumatology and Gastroenterology to ensure that you receive comprehensive care. Together, these experts develop a personalized care plan to meet your unique needs. Additionally, nurse coordinators oversee all aspects of patient care. They review test results, help guide treatment plans, connect patients with resources for financial support, and assist with any necessary disability paperwork. Specialty pharmacists ensure that patients have the right medications and know how to take them. They also can advise on lab monitoring and financial assistance as needed.

As the only large academic medical center in the region, we offer you the opportunity to participate in research that is investigating new treatments. That means patients have access to the latest therapeutic options for pulmonary hypertension.

Patients or physicians seeking more information or in need of an appointment can contact the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

Faculty

Susan Clendenen, DNP, RN, FNP-BC

Anna Hemnes, MD

Meredith Pugh, MD

Ivan Robbins, MD

Pulmonary Sleep Disorders

 

The Vanderbilt Sleep Disorders Pulmonary Clinic is staffed by a team of providers that are certified in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. The clinic is located in the basement level of The Vanderbilt Clinic. The Pulmonary Sleep Disorders Clinic is part of  The Vanderbilt Sleep Center, and it provides comprehensive, diagnostic services for patients with a variety of sleep problems including sleep apnea syndromes, narcolepsy, insomnia, and movement disorders. Clinical evaluation, sleep studies (polysomnography), and therapies are available. The staff of the Sleep Disorders Center can be contacted at (615) 322-4000 and appointments to the Pulmonary Sleep Disorders Clinic can be made by calling the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386. The two fully credentialed laboratories are located at the West End Marriott Hotel in Nashville and at the Hyatt Hotel on Bakers Bridge Road.  For more information, please visit the website at: https://www.vanderbilthealth.com/sleepcenter/.

 

Faculty

Rosemarie Beckford-Dudenhofer, MD

Lisa Lancaster, MD

Blake LeMaster, MD

Paula Watson, MD

Pulmonary Neuromuscular and Diaphragmatic Disorders

 

Dr. Melissa Warren, MD is the director of the VUMC Neuromuscular and Diaphragmatic Disorders Clinic which provides specialized respiratory care for people with diaphragmatic disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. Patients are advised on the latest strategies and technologies for airway clearance and assisted ventilation, and they have the benefit of being managed by a collaborative team that includes pulmonologists and neurologists. Patients or physicians seeking more information or in need of an appointment can contact the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

Faculty

Melissa Warren, MD

ICU Survivor Clinic

 

Dr. Carla Sevin is the Director of the ICU Recovery Center that was established in 2012. It is an innovative National resource at Vanderbilt that is dedicated to addressing the multifaceted recovery needs of individuals who have survived a critical illness. This clinic is a natural extension of the ground-breaking research done by investigators at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and around the world that has highlighted the existence of significant neuropsychological, mental health, physical and functional challenges among survivors of critical illness in the months and years after discharge. The ICU Recovery Center strives to minimize post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and maximize recovery. 

The clinic provides a wide array of interdisciplinary services each Friday in The Vanderbilt Clinic with the goal of coordinating post-ICU care, easing the transition from intensive care to home, and providing mental health treatment and cognitive rehabilitation. In addition to Dr. Sevin, the team is comprised of an intensive care nurse practitioner, a neuropsychologist, an intensive care pharmacist, and a case manager. Services provided by the clinic include:

Coordination and referrals to primary care, subspecialty services, physical and occupational therapy Medication reconciliation with pharmacist Assistance obtaining medical equipment, oxygen, or non-invasive ventilation

 

For additional information about the ICU Recovery Center or to schedule an appointment, please contact: ICURecoveryClinic@vumc.org

Alternatively, patients or physicians may also contact the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

  • Educational resources on physical, cognitive, emotional and daily living issues experienced by ICU survivors
  • Behavioral health consultations for sleep, pain, stress management, smoking cessation
  • Resources and support for caregivers and family members
  • Referral to government assistance programs

 

Faculty

Carla Sevin, MD

Vanderbilt Asthma, Sinus, and Allergy Program (V.A.S.A.P)

 

The Vanderbilt Asthma, Sinus, and Allergy Program (V.A.S.A.P.), located at 2611 West End Avenue and in a number of other locations in Metro Nashville, is a multi-disciplinary clinic in which pulmonologists and allergists work together to provide timely outpatient consultation, evaluation and management of patients with asthma, sinus and allergic rhinitis problems. V.A.S.A.P. offers comprehensive on-site diagnostic evaluations including CT scanning, pulmonary function and allergy testing. An important component of the program for patients is the center's extensive patient education and outcome monitoring programs.

Routine and urgent appointments are welcome, and the center offers acute care as well as long-term disease management. Convenient facilities and hours are available for allergy desensitization patients. Additionally, the V.A.S.A.P offers patients the opportunity to receive investigational therapies for asthma and allergic diseases as part of research study protocols.

To speak with a physician or want to make an appointment, do not hesitate to visit the VASAP website or call the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

Faculty

Kenneth Babe, MD

Ryszard Dworski, MD

John Fahrenholz, MD

David Hagaman, MD

Tina V. Hartert, MD, MPH

Basil Kahwash, MD

Cosby Stone, MD, MPH

General Pulmonary Medicine

 

Faculty members of the Division conduct general outpatient referral pulmonary clinics, located in The Vanderbilt Clinic (TVC) building, The Vanderbilt Lung Institute (OHO) and at the Hillsboro Medical Group. Additionally, pulmonary/critical care fellows have their own General Pulmonary Clinics at OHO and work under the supervision of a faculty member. The General Pulmonary Medicine outpatient clinic practice provides a full range of pulmonary consultative services and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Both first time consultation and ongoing care are provided in this clinical setting. Common problems seen include: dyspnea, chronic cough, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and evaluation of abnormal chest radiographs. Specialized clinics exist for the evaluation and care of patients requiring lung transplantation and those with pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, adult cystic fibrosis, neuromuscular weakness, and allergic disorders.

For more information, please call the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

Faculty

Mollie Anderson, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Adrienne Conger, MD

Ryszard Dworski, MD

Eric Kerchberger, MD

Blake LeMaster, MD

Carla Sevin, MD

Melissa Warren, MD

Vanderbilt Pulmonary Function Lab

The Vanderbilt Pulmonary Function Laboratory, directed by Dr. James Tolle, offers a full range of pulmonary function testing including:

  • spirometry
  • lung volume measurements
  • diffusing capacity determinations
  • body box plethysmography
  • arterial blood gas analysis
  • cardiopulmonary exercise
  • methacholine bronchoprovocation testing

The laboratories, located in the Vanderbilt Clinic and The Vanderbilt Lung Institute at OHO, uses state of the art equipment and highly-trained staff to deliver timely and accurate results. Same day testing and interpretation of routine pulmonary function studies rarely can't be accomplished. Because of manpower requirements, cardiopulmonary exercise tests and bronchoprovocation tests typically requires scheduling in advance.

Scheduling for the Pulmonary Function Lab can be achieved by calling the Vanderbilt Lung Institute Access Center at (615) 322-2386.

Faculty

James Tolle, MD