ILD Program Faculty
“Our role in the care of patients with ILDs is to put together the pieces of a puzzle. Patients often come to us with an incomplete picture or perhaps pieces missing. Our team helps find those missing pieces within a patients' family history, from additional testing or subtle clinical examination findings which allows us to bring patients to an accurate diagnosis. This step is what helps guide treatment of their disease, longitudinal follow up and, most importantly, helps patients and their families better understand their disease.”
- Kaissa de Boer, MD
Patients with interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis are often first seen and evaluated by our pulmonary physicians specializing primarily in interstitial lung diseases. These patients may then be referred to be seen by other specialist team members as needed.
Rishi Raj, MD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Rish Raj MD is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and directs the Interstitial Lung Disease program at Stanford. Dr. Raj's clinical interest and focus of clinical research are idiopathic interstitial lung diseases and interstitial lung diseases related to other causes. Dr. Raj is the principal investigator and co-investigator on multiple clinical trials evaluating new therapies for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis/interstitial lung disease from other etiologies.
Tushar Desai, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Medicine
Tushar Desai, MD specializes in the treatment of general pulmonary and Interstitial Lung Diseases like Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). He has a particular interest in understanding the development and progression of diseases like IPF, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and lung adenocarcinoma, as well as in understanding how native lung stem cells function to repair the lung gas exchange surface after injury. Dr. Desai runs an active laboratory research program studying human lung tissue and using stem cell organoid cultures to identify the causes of these fatal lung diseases in order to develop new treatment approaches.
Shahzad Ahmad, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Shahzad Ahmad, MD, FCCP, is a board certified pulmonary and critical care physician with extensive clinical experience in Interstitial Lung Diseases, Pulmonary Hypertension and Lung Transplantation. He has special interest and expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Connective Tissue Disorders, Sarcoidosis, other ILD’s, Pulmonary Hypertension and complex pulmonary disorders.
Dr. Ahmad has been involved in clinical research in IPF, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Lung Transplantation for the past 18 years, and strives to bring novel therapies for these patients. He has co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has presented over 100 abstracts at many national and international conferences.
Kaïssa de Boer, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Stanford University
Kaïssa de Boer, MD is a board certified pulmonologist who specializes in the care of patients with interstitial lung disease. She completed her Internal Medicine and Pulmonary training at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. Subsequently she completed a fellowship in Interstitial Lung Disease at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. de Boer has a special interest in patients with connective tissue disease associated lung disease and those with drug induced pneumonitis. Her academic interests include education and development of ILD curricula.
Joshua Mooney, MD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Joshua Mooney, MD, MS, is a board certified pulmonologist and critical care physician who specializes in the care of interstitial lung disease and lung transplant patients. He performs health services and outcomes research focused on understanding and improving the lives and care of patients with advanced lung disease and is actively involved in clinical trials to improve outcomes in interstitial lung disease. He is the Associate Medical Director for Lung and Heart/Lung Transplantation at Stanford and director of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Center at Stanford.
Emily Casabar, RN, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Emily received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing from California State University, Bakersfield. She received her Master’s of Science Degree in Nursing, FNP, at Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. She worked as a critical care registered nurse for 9 years prior to working as a pulmonary/critical care nurse practitioner. In March 2017 she joined the Stanford Center for Advanced Lung Disease as a Nurse Practitioner. In addition to providing patient education, she works in collaboration with other providers to diagnose and treat ILD patients.
Jonathan Cheong, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Jonathan received his Bachelor of Sciences in Physiological Sciences from the University of California, Los Angeles and his Master of Sciences in Physician Assistant studies at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. He joined the Interstitial Lung Disease program at Stanford as a Physician Assistant in December 2019. His role on the team is to work alongside the other providers to diagnose and treat patients with interstitial lung disease. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys watching and playing basketball, drinking good coffee, and eating delicious food.
Teddy Simpson, RN
ILD Nurse Coordinator
Teddy Simpson received her Associate Degree in Nursing at De Anza College, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Jose State University. Her background is in primary care, having worked at a community college serving as Triage Nurse, Health Educator and providing Nursing Advice for students and staff. She has also worked with a Community Health Center and served as Triage Nurse and Clinic Manager. Teddy joined the ILD program at Stanford as a Nurse Coordinator in September 2018. She works closely with the ILD team to provide coordination of care for the patient and their providers, ensuring high quality patient care and continuity of care. Her interests are traveling, cooking and spending time with her family.
Christine A. Slaton, RN
ILD Nurse Coordinator
Christine received her Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt University. Her nursing background is in Primary Care where she worked at a Community Health Center and served as Triage Nurse, Manager of Nursing Services, and Clinic Manager. In April 2018, she joined the Interstitial Lung Disease Program at Stanford as a Nurse Coordinator. She works in collaboration with our health care team to provide patient education and ensure continuity of care.
Iman Mojadidi, RN
ILD Nurse Coordinator
Iman Mojadidi received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from San Jose State University. Iman has worked as a Medical Assistant at specialty Neurology as well as Cardiovascular Clinics. She previously was a Whole Person Care (WPC) Nurse for the Santa Clara County coordinating and evaluating health, behavioral, and social services as applicable for the county patient population with the goal of improving overall health and wellbeing through more efficient and effective use of public resources. Iman joined the Interstitial Lung Disease Program at Stanford as a Nurse Coordinator in November 2020. She works closely with the ILD team to provide coordination of care for the patient and their providers, ensuring high quality patient care and continuity of care. In her free time Iman enjoys hiking, trying new foods, and spending as much time with her loved ones.
Kate Yablonsky, LCSW
ILD Social Worker
Kate received her undergraduate degree from New York University and her Masters of Social Welfare from UC Berkeley. Prior to joining the ILD team in September of 2018, Kate worked for over a decade next door at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford in the oncology and stem cell transplant departments. She is now working with the patients and families at Stanford in both the interstitial lung disease and cystic fibrosis clinics, providing support and guidance around the “life” issues that come along with managing a chronic illness (family, work, mental health, advanced care planning, community supports, etc.). She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA.
Dulce Moreno
Patient Care Coordinator, Stanford ILD Clinic
Dulce M. Moreno has been part of the Stanford Chest Clinic for the past 10 years. For the first four years she was at the Front Desk greeting and checking in patients for their appointments. In 2012, she joined the Center for Advanced Lung Disease working with ILD and CF patients as the Advanced Lung Disease Coordinator. She schedules both new and return patients and all the testing that is required. Dulce is the main point of contact for all new patients and referring physicians. She also requests all records for the RNs and MDs to review. Dulce’s favorite things to do are reading, being with her family, and traveling.
Michael Sousa
Patient Care Coordinator, Stanford ILD Clinic
Michael Sousa has been a part of the Stanford Chest Clinic for the past 6 years. He started as a Medical Assistant/Clinical Assistant for the first 5 years. In November of 2019, he took a position as a Patient Care Coordinator with the Center of AdvancedLung Disease working to schedule newand returning patients. Michael also obtains all of the outside records necessary to ensure the nurses and physicians have what they need to complete a meaningful visit with the patient. Michael’s outside interests include being with his family, traveling, cycling, and playing soccer.
Joan Sugatan
Patient Care Coordinator, Stanford ILD Clinic
Joan G. Sugatan started working for Stanford as a Temp, floating to all sub-specialty departments of Chest Clinic. She assisted with all the referrals, scheduling appointments and requesting medical records for incoming patients. After working for almost 2 years, Stanford hired her as one of the Advanced Lung Disease Patient Care Coordinators. She helps scheduling both new and returns patients together with all the testing that is required and requesting medical records for review. Joan loves to eat out with the whole family, she enjoys reading books and watching movies as well.
Susan Jacobs, RN, MS
Nurse Coordinator, Research Nurse Manager
Susan Jacobs received her undergraduate nursing degree from California State University, Chico, and her graduate degree in Pulmonary Nursing from University of California, San Francisco. Her background includes roles as a Critical Care Nurse Educator, NIH Project Director for a Dyspnea and Exercise protocol, and Coordinator of a local Pulmonary RehabilitationProgram. Currently she is the Research Nurse Manager and Nurse Coordinator in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center. Susanhas been with the Interstitial Lung Disease Program at Stanford since its inception in 2004. Shecoordinates the ILD Support Group and patient education in the ILD clinic, and supports the clinical research program in the Pulmonary Division. Her publications include results from a national patient survey describing oxygen problems experienced by patients,the official American Thoracic Society (ATS) Workshop report "Optimizing Home Oxygen Therapy", and "Clinician Strategies to Improve the Care of Patients Using Supplemental Oxygen”.
Karen Morris, PhD
Clinical Research Coordinator
Karen Morris received her PhD from the University of California, Davis in Comparative Pathology for research on the molecular pathogenesis of infectious diseases. She previously earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Federal University of Vicosa in Brazil. Karen has worked as a Research Scientist at biotech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she developed assays for pharmacokinetic analysis of investigational drugs during pre-clinical studies. This experience initiated her interest in clinical research, andshe later completed the Clinical Trials Design and Management program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Karen joined the Interstitial Lung Disease Program in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Stanford in 2013, where she works as a Clinical Research Coordinator. She is responsible for the management and coordination of all aspects, including regulatory compliance, of a variety of large and small clinical research studies for prospective pulmonary investigational drugs and therapies.
Jeanette Smith, BA
Associate Clinical Research Coordinator
Jeanette Smith received a Certificate in Clinical Trial Design and Management from San Francisco State University, as well as a Certificate in Graphic Design and Production from University of California Santa Cruz Extension, and a BA in Earth Science and Environmental Studies from University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC). After working in biotechnology on the industry side of clinical development and volunteering at Stanford Health Care, Jeanette joined the Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine Department at Stanford in 2020 as a Clinical Research Coordinator Associate.
Jeanette has enjoyed many personal and professional pursuits including field Geology and Cartography for the US Geological Survey, Creative Director for a boutique Graphic Design studio, teaching Adobe Creative Suite for UCSC Extension, and leading whitewater rafting trips in rivers in the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Africa, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Hanna Gratny, BS
Associate Clinical Research Coordinator
Hanna Gratny received her B.S. in Microbiology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. After developing an interest in healthcare during college, she spent four years working in pulmonary medicine as a patient navigator and as coordinator of the Central Coast's pulmonary hypertension program. Here, she noticed the great need for improved therapies for pulmonary patients, which directed her to the world of clinical research. She joined the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine here at Stanford in May of 2021 where she works as an associate clinical research coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing.
Gundeep Dhillon, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Dr. Dhillon MD is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and directs the Heart-Lung and Lung Transplantation program at Stanford. Dr. Dhillon is the principal investigator and co-investigator on multiple research projects focused on improving outcomes in the post-lung transplant period.
Shahzad Ahmad, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Shahzad Ahmad, MD, FCCP, is a board certified pulmonary and critical care physician with extensive clinical experience in Interstitial Lung Diseases, Pulmonary Hypertension and Lung Transplantation. He has special interest and expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Connective Tissue Disorders, Sarcoidosis, other ILD’s, Pulmonary Hypertension and complex pulmonary disorders.
Dr. Ahmad has been involved in clinical research in IPF, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Lung Transplantation for the past 18 years, and strives to bring novel therapies for these patients. He has co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has presented over 100 abstracts at many national and international conferences.
Laveena Chhatwani, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Laveena Chhatwani MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Chhatwani specializes in the management of Lung and Heart-Lung transplant patients. She has a special interest in the management of advanced interstitial lung disease and lung failure and her research focuses on improving outcomes for patients undergoing lung transplantation. Dr. Chhatwani attends our weekly Interstitial Lung Disease Multi-Disciplinary Discussion rounds in order to provide expert opinion on potential lung transplant candidates and how to best optimize their post-transplant outcomes. By collaborating closely with our lung transplant colleagues, the ILD team is able to identify potential candidates early, as well as to manage those patients who experience an acute exacerbation and may need urgent consultation and a rapid transplant evaluation.
Joshua Mooney, MD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Joshua Mooney, MD, MS, is a board certified pulmonologist and critical care physician who specializes in the care of interstitial lung disease and lung transplant patients. He performs health services and outcomes research focused on understanding and improving the lives and care of patients with advanced lung disease and is actively involved in clinical trials to improve outcomes in interstitial lung disease. He is the director of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Center at Stanford and serves on national and international committees related to pulmonary fibrosis and lung transplantation.
Shravani Pasupneti, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Shravani Pasupneti, MD is a board certified pulmonologist and critical care physician who specializes in the care of patients who have undergone Lung or Heart-Lung Transplantation. Dr. Pasupneti completed her Medicine residency at University of Chicago and her Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship at Stanford, after which she joined the faculty at Stanford in 2018. Her research interests include the identification and prevention of chronic allograft dysfunction (CLAD) in lung transplant recipients. In addition Dr. Pasupneti has investigated mechanisms leading to Aspergillus-related complications following lung transplantation.
Specialized chest imaging plays a very important role in reaching the correct diagnosis in patients with interstitial lung diseases. Our thoracic radiologists regularly attend the weekly multidisciplinary interstitial lung disease conferences, and provide invaluable input in reaching the final diagnosis and treatment plan for our ILD patients.
Ann N.C. Leung, MD
Professor of Radiology
Ann Leung MD is Professor of Radiology and Division Chief of Thoracic Imaging at StanfordUniversity Medical Center. Her current research and clinical interests focus on the use of high-resolution computed tomography of the thorax to diagnose and evaluate thoracic diseases, including interstitial lung disease. Her research includes exploringautomated classification of usual interstitial pneumonias using regional volumetric texture analysis as well as the use of CT to detect, characterize, and manage lung nodules. Dr. Leung provides expert radiologic consultation during our weekly Interstitial Lung Disease Multi-Disciplinary Discussion.
Henry Guo, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiology
Dr. Guo is a diagnostic radiologist with subspecialist expertise in chestradiology and nuclear medicine. Dr. Guo's clinicalfocusis on diseases of the lungs, including: interstitial lung disease, COPD,lung cancer,and diseases of the airways. Dr. Guo works closely with our pulmonary medicine colleagues and regularlycontributes tothe multi-disciplinary interstitial lung disease conferences;helping the team reach the correct diagnosis based on each patient's radiologic findings. His research program is active in quantitative lung CT, earlydetection of lung cancers,low radiation dose CT imaging,medical 3D printing, and combining the tools of molecular and anatomic imaging to helpimprove patients' outcomes.
Margaret Lin, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology
Dr. Margaret Lin is a board certified radiologist with subspecialty training in thoracic and cardiovascular imaging. Dr. Lin specializes in diseases affecting the lungs and airways, including cancer, infection, and interstitial and inhalational lung diseases. Her clinical expertise also includes diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as coronary artery disease, aortic dissection and aneurysm, and pulmonary thromboembolic disease. As an Associate Program Director for the Diagnostic Radiology Residency at Stanford, Dr. Lin focuses on resident education and development of curricula and new educational tools.
Kristen Bird, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology
Dr. Kristen Bird is a board certified radiologist who specializes in abdominal and thoracic imaging. She focuses on quality initiatives as co-leader of peer learning for the body division.
Emily Tsai, MD
Clinical Instructor of Radiology
Emily Tsai MD is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University Medical Center. Her research areas include correlation of radiologic and pathologic findings, radiology-related quality improvement initiatives, and cost effectiveness analysis. She provides radiologic expertise during our weekly ILD Multi-Disciplinary Discussions.
Patients with interstitial lung disease undergo a lung biopsy when a diagnosis cannot be made with less invasive means. Pulmonary pathologists review and interpret the histopathologic findings, and participate in the multidisciplinary ILD conference to reach the correct diagnosis.
Gerald Berry, MD
Professor of Pathology
Gerald Berry, MD,is Professor of Pathology, Director of Anatomic Pathology and Director of Cardiac and Pulmonary Pathology. His research interests includecardiopulmonary transplantation, inflammatory cardiac disorders, vasculitis and pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Berry is the expert ILD pathologist who is a key participant in our weekly ILD Multi-Disciplinary Discussion patient conferencewhen clinical, pathologic, and radiologic results are reviewed to achieve consensus on patients’ diagnosis and treatment plan.
Connective tissue diseases like Scleroderma or Rheumatoid Arthritis etc. are commonly associated with interstitial lung disease. In fact, one of the first things to do when an interstitial lung disease is first diagnosed, is to look for an underlying or coexistent connective tissue disease because this has important diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic implications. It is common for patients with interstitial lung diseases to be referred for a formal rheumatology evaluation if the suspicion of underlying connective tissue disease is high. Similarly, it is not uncommon for patients with connective tissue diseases like Scleroderma or Rheumatoid Arthritis etc. to have an underlying interstitial lung disease. Pulmonologists and Rheumatologists work closely with each other to co-manage these patients with interstitial lung diseases and connective tissue diseases.
Lorinda Chung, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Dr. Chung is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Immunology and Rheumatology) and Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Chung initiated and developed the Stanford Scleroderma Center of Excellence Dr. Chung co-attends the Rheumatologic Dermatology Clinic with Dr. David Fiorentino (Dermatology) where the majority of patients have systemic sclerosis,dermatomyositis, or related connective tissue diseases.
Yashaar Chaichian, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Yashaar Chaichian MD is a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Division of Immunology & Rheumatology and the Director of the Stanford Lupus Clinic. In addition, he has a strong clinical interest and expertise in the evaluation and management of patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD). He believes in a patient-centered and collaborative approach, and works closely with members of the Stanford Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care to evaluate and manage patients with autoimmune lung disease.
Tamiko Kastumoto, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Tamiko Katsumoto, MD is a board certified rheumatologist who has a clinical and research interest in autoimmune diseases that can impact the lung. She leads the Stanford Immune-Related Toxicity Working Group, a multidisciplinary group which aims to improve the quality of care of cancer patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors that can adversely affect many organs, including the lung. Her research aims to identify biomarkers to predict immune-related adverse events and to optimize the management of such complications. She is an investigator in several clinical trials evaluating promising therapies for systemic sclerosis.
Interstitial lung diseases such as those associated with connective tissue diseases like scleroderma and dermatomyositis can have prominent dermatologic findings and symptoms. Pulmonary physicians work with dermatologists to co-manage these ILD patients with skin involvement due to these diseases.
David Fiorentino, MD, PhD
Professor of Dermatology
David F. Fiorentino MD PhD. isa Professor in the Department of Dermatology and the Department of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is especially interested in patients with rheumatic skin disease, focusing on patients with myositis, systemic sclerosis and lupus. He is interested in identifying serologic markers (autoantibodies) that identify ILD risk groups and in using these markers as well as skin rashes to identify patients at high risk for ILD. Because the incidence of interstitial lung disease is especially high in these patients, he helps to provide expert consultation on patients with ILD in this clinic, both in assessing patients for a possible accompanying autoimmune diagnosis as well as providing input for optimal medical management of the patient
The interventional pulmonary team is an integral part of our diagnostic team for interstitial lung disease patients for whom minimally invasive sampling of the lungs are indicated. The interventional team works closely with the ILD program to optimize patients' diagnostic pathways to assist with management strategies.
Arthur Sung
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
Arthur Sung MD is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Stanford University School of Medicine, and the Director of the Interventional Pulmonology program. Dr. Sung is an expert at performing bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial forceps biopsy and transbronchial cryobiopsies for patients with interstitial lung diseases.
Harmeet Bedi, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Dr. Harmeet Bedi is an Interventional Pulmonologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University Medical Center and School of Medicine. His expertise is in minimally invasive andinnovativetechniques used in the diagnosis of various interstitial lung diseases. Dr. Bedi has specific training in transbronchial cryobiopsy,rigid bronchoscopy, airway stent placement, balloon bronchoplasty, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy, bronchialthermoplasty, intrabronchial valve (IBV) insertion, pleural catheter insertion, and medical thoracoscopy.
Meghan Ramsey, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Dr. Meghan Ramsey is an interventional pulmonologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford, and performs minimally invasive procedures such as transbronchial forceps biopsy in patients with interstitial lung diseases.
Brian Shaller, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Brian Shaller is an interventional pulmonologist who specializes in complex airway diseases, pleural disease, and minimally-invasive diagnostic procedures of the chest. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, and Interventional Pulmonology. Dr. Shaller completed his Medicine residency and Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship at Stanford, after which he trained in Interventional Pulmonary Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic before joining the faculty at Stanford in 2020. Dr. Shaller is actively involved in clinical research, medical education, and mentorship of residents and fellows. He helped establish Stanford’s Interventional Pulmonology Fellowship Training Program in 2021, for which he currently serves as the associate program director.
Interstitial lung disease patients may need a surgical lung biopsy if non-invasive or less invasive means do not allow a specific diagnosis despite multidisciplinary discussion. We routinely refer ILD patients to our thoracic surgery colleagues who specialize in minimally invasive video assisted thoracic surgery techniques for lung biopsy.
Joseph Shrager, MD
Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dr. Joseph Shrager is a professor of cardiothoracic surgery and Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Shrager provides surgicalconsultation for our ILD patients who need a surgical lung biopsy, andhespecializes in minimally invasive techniques, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted operations. Dr. Shrager has beenidentified as one of “America’s Top Doctors” and one of “America’s Top Doctors for Cancer” in Castle Connolly’s prestigious listings for multiple years running.
Leah Backhus, MD, MPH, FACS
Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dr. Leah Backhus is an Associate Professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Stanford. Dr. Backhus provides surgical consultation for our ILD patients who need a surgical lung biopsy to confirm a specific ILD diagnosis. She specializes in minimally invasive techniques, including video-assisted tthoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted operations.
Mark Berry, MD
Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Dr. Mark Berry is an Associate Professor in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Stanford University. Dr. Berry provides surgical consultation for our ILD patients who need a surgical lung biopsy to confirm specific ILD diagnosis. He has a particular interest in minimally invasive techniques, serves as the co-Director of the Stanford Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Center (SMITS), and has both directed and taught in several minimally invasive national and international thoracic surgery courses. He has also performed several research studies on the safety of lung surgery for patients with impaired lung function, including those with ILD.
Natalie Lui, MD
Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Natalie Lui, MD, MAS is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Stanford. Dr. Lui’s clinical focus extends to all aspects of general thoracic surgical diseases, and her research focus is both clinical and translational. Dr. Lui provides surgical consultation for our ILD patients who need a surgical lung biopsy to confirm a specific ILD diagnosis. She specializes in minimally invasive techniques, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robot-assisted operations.
Patients with interstitial lung diseases often have bothersome clinical symptoms such as cough and difficulty breathing which can be hard to treat. While we have made significant progress in treating interstitial lung diseases in the last decade, many interstitial lung diseases eventually progress despite the best available therapies. Palliative care physicians, who form an important part of our ILD team, help us treat symptoms associated with ILDs, and help empower patients to navigate this journey which can sometimes be difficult without adequate help and support.
Joshua Fronk, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Dr. Joshua C. Fronk is a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Division of Primary Care and Population Health at Stanford University. He is aboard-certified palliative medicine physician dedicating his time in the care of patients with serious illness, including advanced lung disease. His clinical expertise involves helping people live better and longer by helping patients and their families manage symptoms such as shortness of breath and anticipatory anxiety. He also serves as medical director for the outpatient palliative care program at Stanford Health Care.