Henry Ford Hospital Receives National Designation for Pulmonary Fibrosis Expertise

DETROIT – Henry Ford Hospital is the first hospital in metro Detroit to receive a national designation recognizing its expertise in diagnosing and treating patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Henry Ford is one of only three hospitals in Michigan designated as a Care Center by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). The designation means Henry Ford is part of the PFF’s national Care Center Network, which has 60 sites in 30 states.

Henry Ford is a major referral center for pulmonary fibrosis in Michigan. Its Interstitial Lung Disease Program specializes in diagnosing and treating a group of lung disorders in which the small sacs of the lung and surrounding structures of the lung become inflamed or scarred. The program comprises experts in pulmonary medicine, rheumatology, radiology, pathology, nursing and social work.

“This prestigious designation is reflective of the multidisciplinary and high level of care provided by our team,” says Krishna Thavarajah, M.D., director of the Interstitial Lung Disease Program. “We’re dedicated to improving the quality of care of our patients living with pulmonary fibrosis.”

The PFF estimates that 50,000 new cases of pulmonary fibrosis are diagnosed every year. Pulmonary fibrosis affects one in every 200 adults ages 65 and older. Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough, shortness of breath and fatigue. Treatment options vary as pulmonary fibrosis has more than 200 types. They include medication, oxygen supplementation, clinical trial therapies and lung transplant.

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MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz / David.Olejarz@hfhs.org / 313.874.4094