Pulmonary Services at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson

Comprehensive Pulmonary Care

At Banner – University Medical Center Tucson we offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment of asthma. We focus not just on the lung function, but also the triggers and contributors of asthma. We offer a full range of diagnostic testing in our Pulmonary Function and Exercise Physiology Lab.

Our patients have access to a broad spectrum of treatment options. For example, we are one of the few places in Arizona to offer bronchial thermoplasty, a nondrug procedure to help control asthma. Also, we offer less-invasive interventional pulmonology therapies, a pulmonary rehabilitation program and lung transplants.

The pulmonary team provides coordinated treatment, working closely with critical care, allergy and other specialists. The team is also a key member of University of Arizona Cancer Center’s Southwestern Lung Cancer Program.

Leading-Edge Asthma Research

As our patient, you may also have the opportunity to participate in leading research studies for treating asthma with both existing and new medications. We participate in national asthma research programs through the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Arizona Respiratory Center and other organizations.

What is Interstitial Lung Disease?

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is an umbrella term for diseases that cause scarring in the lung. Some of the common forms of ILD are:

• Idiopathic (unknown) pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
• Connective tissue or autoimmune disease-related ILD
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia
• Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis
• Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Drug-induced lung disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
• Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
• Smoking-related ILD

What to expect at your first appointment:

The providers will ask you questions to get to know all about you and your lung problems. They may order some tests such as:

• Six minute walk test: This is to help determine if you need supplemental oxygen
• Pulmonary Function tests: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. This includes how well you’re able to breathe and how effective your lungs are able to bring oxygen to the rest of your body.
• Blood work to check for other diseases that may be contributing to your breathing problems
• Imaging such as a high-resolution CT of your chest

Why Choose Banner - University Medical Center Tucson?

Banner - University Medical Center Tucson Interstitial Lung Clinic is designated as a pulmonary fibrosis foundation care center network site. We utilize a multidisciplinary team that brings together specialists from pulmonology, rheumatology, radiology and pathology.  This multidisciplinary approach means you have multiple specialists who meet weekly looking at you and providing you the most optimized treatment.

Research trials

We believe developments in ILD come through partnering with patients to advance understanding. Our team of researchers is committed to studying ILD using multiple innovative approaches. Together, with our patient research participants, we will continue to make advances and fight for a cure to ILD.

Talk with your provider about ongoing trials and eligibility.

Academic Medicine Difference

The partnership between Banner Health and the University of Arizona brings clinical care delivery, education and research to the forefront of the patient experience. 

• Academic Medicine
• Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
• Clinical Trials