Baylor College of Medicine and Baylor St Luke’s Medical Center have announced the development of a multi-disciplinary center focused on treating lung disease. The center will be known as the Lung Institute and will be led by a world-renowned specialist and researcher in chronic lung disease, Dr. David Sugarbaker.
Dr. Sugarbaker left his appointment as professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and chief of thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital last July solely to create a program that would advance innovative research focused on treating chronic lung diseases. When asked why he chose Baylor, Dr. Sugarbaker answered, “Part of what attracted me to Baylor is the opportunity to build something that never has been done before, I see a large role for clinical and translational research, with an eye to getting new treatments to patients as soon as possible. Baylor is a leader in genomic research and that will play a key part, as well as the personalized treatment of a patient’s lung disease. This program also will have a strong surgical presence.”
Dr. Sugarbaker and his team of physicians representing more than a dozen specialists, envision the Lung Institute as a place where patients with difficult and advanced cases of lung disease from mesothelioma to late stage lung cancer will come to receive cutting-edge therapies. Treatments will range from novel surgeries to individualized chemotherapy treatments based on patient’s genetic information to holistic treatments that focus on all aspects of the patient’s health such as emotional and mental health indicators. This holistic approach will include social workers, physical therapists, dieticians, chaplaincy services, and patient navigators; and aims to help patients feel more in control of their own treatment plan. All of these approaches share the common goal of minimizing stress in patients and their loved ones while they deal with the difficult diagnosis of chronic lung disease.
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Dr. Sugarbaker’s colleagues at Baylor are equally excited about the innovative treatment possibilities the Lung Institute will bring to patients. As expressed by the chair of surgery at Baylor, Dr. Todd Rosengart, “We all are very excited to bring this new era of integrated health care delivery for the treatment of lung disease to the Houston metro area and to all of southeast Texas. The health and well-being of those afflicted with lung disease will significantly benefit from the wonderful care that will be provided by our Lung Institute team under the leadership of Dr. David Sugarbaker, a world class innovator in the treatment of lung cancer, mesothelioma and lung disease.”
The Lung Institute is currently accepting patients, for more information contact Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center at 713-798-6376.