Care for Complex Pulmonary Conditions Levels Up
Pulmonary subspecialty clinics at Renown Health provide access to academic-level care in northern Nevada.
RENOWN MEDICAL GROUP – PULMONARY MEDICINE continues to grow as clinicians offer clinics and programs in interstitial lung disease( ILD), pulmonary hypertension, nontuberculous mycobacteria( NTM) and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.
Interstitial Lung Disease The newest subspecialty offering, the ILD clinic was established in January 2025 under the leadership of Farah Madhani-Lovely, MD, MPH, division chief of Pulmonary Critical Care / Sleep for Renown South Meadows Medical Center, medical director of research at Renown Health and assistant dean of clinical research at UNR Med.
“ Providers may notice signs of ILD on routine imaging, such as a chest X-ray, obtained for other reasons, or hear crackles on inhalation while listening to a patient’ s lungs,” Dr. Madhani- Lovely says.“ New respiratory symptoms or exam findings should prompt imaging, and if imaging suggests ILD, the patient should be referred as early as possible since this disease is often progressive.”
Pulmonary Hypertension Pulmonary and critical care specialist Hannah Leitch, MD, RD, serves as medical director of the Pulmonary Hypertension program, which began in 2024, and is an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
“ Patients who have ILD or significant left heart disease or who have struggled with addiction to methamphetamines make up the largest portion of our patient population,” Dr. Leitch says.“ Patients should be referred to the pulmonary hypertension program if they have shortness of breath coupled with signs of heart failure, as well as a recent echocardiogram with a significantly elevated right ventric ular systolic pressure, right ventricular dilation or stress.”
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Renown Health is a member of a Mayo Clinic-based group of select programs that meets every other month to review complex cases of NTM, a disease caused by inhaling certain environmental bacteria.
“ Adults with enlarged, tortuous airways with cough, productive sputum and fatigue should be screened for NTM,” says Dr. Madhani-Lovely, who leads the NTM program.“ If a sputum sample is positive, providers should refer to our program for further evaluation.”
Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction Certain patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may qualify for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction, Dr. Madhani-Lovely says. During this procedure, physicians place one-way valves in the lungs that release trapped air from emphysema-damaged portions and allow oxygen to reach healthy areas.
To refer a patient, call Renown Medical Group – Pulmonary Medicine at 775-982-5000.
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The growth of the pulmonary program has catered to the needs of the community so we can keep patients close to home with their loved ones. We ensure patients receive the best care possible here in northern Nevada, from less invasive surgery using robotic systems to opportunities to enroll in clinical trials.”
Farah Madhani-Lovely, MD, MPH division chief of Pulmonary Critical Care / Sleep at Renown South Meadows Medical Center, medical director of research at Renown Health and assistant dean of clinical research at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
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