This fellowship program ? s quality is best exemplified by doctors like Jonathan Kalehoff , M . D ., former fellows who stay at UAB after their fellowship training is complete .
? UAB has the best of all the worlds that you ' re looking for . You don ' t have to choose between research , clinical work , or education ,? said Kalehoff .
? While I was a fellow , Dr . Solomon and Dr . Luckhardt would constantly contact me about resources they thought would help me in my individual training . They helped me build my program from the ground up ,? Kalehoff said . ? The program has a policy of fostering your interest and excitement .?
The personalization of training is being carried on to future generations , as seen in recent training developments helmed by Kalehoff .
Our fellowship directors boast that the UAB Pulmonary Fellowship programs position them as a leader in the field . " We can compete with any of the top-tier programs in the country ,? Luckhardt said . ? As we remain proactive and continue to provide what the fellows need , we ? ll continue to grow and improve .?
UAB Medicine Launches Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease Program by Andy Currie
According to the American Lung Association , the number of people living with Nontuberculous Mycobacterial ( NTM ) lung disease is on the rise , especially among women and older age groups . This bacterial infection can be especially difficult to diagnose , requiring the expertise of a multidisciplinary team the UAB Medicine Nontuberculous Mycobacterial ( NTM ) Disease Program .
NTM infections arise from organisms commonly found in soil and water , and typically affect those with underlying lung diseases such as COPD or a weakened immune system , causing chronic cough , fatigue , fever , and night sweats .? While NTM infections most commonly arise in the lungs , they can also appear in skin or soft tissue infections , lymph nodes , or other organs .
? Some states require public health reporting of NTM infections , but Alabama is not one of them ,? said Brian Garcia , M . D ., medical director of UAB ? s NTM program . ? As a result , this is an under-represented infection at a clinical level and an epidemiologic level .?
The NTM Disease program team is comprised of Garcia , German Henostroza , M . D ., and Angela Thomas , Nurse Coordinator .
? The number of NTM patients currently in the United States is around 80,000 patients ,? Garcia explained . ? The more elderly patients we have living with chronic lung disease , the more that we will see this infection . Because the organism is so ubiquitous , I tell patients that they will encounter these bacteria no matter what . We see patients with these infections anywhere in their bodies , but 95 % of our patients have pulmonary infections .?
? There must be a lung infection confirmed either twice in sputum or once in bronchoscopy ,
Brian Garcia , M . D . Photography : Lexi Coon
radiographic evidence of the disease and symptoms attributed to the infection and that are significant enough that treatment is justified ,? said Garcia . ? Treatment is difficult , typically multiple antibiotics every day for 18 months or longer . That means side effects and drug interactions that must be considered .?
Community physicians can refer a patient to UAB Medicine by calling the MIST line at 1-800-UAB-MIST . For more information on resources available at UAB Medicine , visit uabmedicine . org / physician
PULMONARY , ALLERGY , AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE