Pulmonary and Critical Care

About Us

The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care strives to advance our knowledge of lung health and disease through a combination of education and research.

We have in recent years expanded our research programs, established advanced pulmonary disease subspecialty clinics and successfully opened a lung transplantation program at Northwestern.”

– Scott Budinger, MD

Read Message from the Chief

Scott

What We Do

Faculty: Meet the Team

View individual profiles of our faculty members and learn about their research and clinical specialties.

Meet our faculty

Sharon Reifler Rosenberg

Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

Dr. Rosenberg’s clinical interests are in the care of asthma, COPD and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Her research interests relate to co-morbidities of COPD, asthma and COPD re-hospitalization risk factors and interventions, and air pollution.

Rachel S Tappan

Associate Professor of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

My clinical and academic interests are in the areas of neurorehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation. I have practiced in clinical and research settings at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) for over 15 years. My clinical work has included the development of knowledge translation tools for optimal use of outcome measures in neurorehabilitation and program development for Phase II and Phase III Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

James M Walter

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

James Walter, MD is a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician and Medical Director of the Northwestern Lung Rescue Program. Dr. Walter attended Princeton University followed by medical school at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of Michigan followed by fellowship training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Walter’s clinical interests are in the care of adult patients with acute respiratory failure and shock including the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. His r...

Manu Jain

Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Pediatrics

My primary research interest is in lung repair after acute injury with a focus on TGF-beta mediated signaling. We have identified mitochondrial generated reactive oxygen species as important in TGF-bête mediated gene expression and are working to identify novel therapeutic targets in this pathway. We are also interested in modulating the ubiquitin-proteosomal pathway as a therapeutic target for tissue fibrosis. I have a clinical translational interest in Cystic Fibrosis. I am the site co-PI for the CF Foundation sponsored clinical trial network, The Therapeutic Development Network. I am also i...

Marc A Sala

Assistant Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

My primary goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to people with lung diseases or in the ICU. I am a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist and have sub-specialty interests in cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and lung transplant. During my fellowship, I acquired experience in laboratory science under Jing Liu, PhD, and firmly believe advancement of excellent medicine is only possible through scientific research. To that end, I spend a portion of my time committed to research of lung disease biology.

Ravi Kalhan

Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology)

Ravi Kalhan, MD, MS is Director of the Northwestern Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Program where comprehensive care is provided to patients with asthma and COPD at all stages of severity. Dr. Kalhan additionally serves as medical director of the lung volume reduction program leading the multidisciplinary evaluation of patients for both bronchoscopic and surgical approaches to severe COPD. Dr. Kalhan attended college at Brown University in Providence, RI where he majored in modern American history. He subsequently entered medical school at Case Western Reserve Universit...

Laura Dada

Research Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

The major goal of our research is to study the role of the Na,K-ATPase subunits in the regulation of alveolar epithelial function in normal and hypoxic conditions. We will shift the emphasis from the transport function of the Na,K-ATPase to its important role in stabilizing intercellular junctions and hence in alveolar epithelial integrity. Hypoxemia and injury of the alveolar-capillary barrier might result not only in a decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity but also in weakening interactions between the Na,K-ATPase ß1 subunits in neighboring cells. We will determine the molecular mechanisms regula...

Lisa F Wolfe

Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Neurology - Ken and Ruth Davee Department

Studying devices for ventilatory support used in home based settings. This is most relevant to those with neuromuscular disorders and sleep related breathing disorders.

Mercedes Carnethon

Professor of Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology) and Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care)

Epidemiologic studies of cardiovascular disease, with a focus on health behaviors including diet, physical activity and sleep and in populations defined by race/ethnicity, age and gender.

Connect With Us

We welcome your questions and comments. Visit our Contact Us page.

Division Administrator

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Tasneem Uting
t-uting@northwestern.edu
312-908-3245

Associate Division Administrator

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Setong Mavong
setong@northwestern.edu
312-503-7727

Diversity and Inclusion

The department works toward an environment of inclusion and support through the Diversity and Cultural Affairs Council and through several dedicated events and initiatives.

Learn More

Housestaff Research Portal

Former PSTP Trainee Luisa Morales Nebreda, MD

Physician-Scientist Training & Resources

We offer a wide range of resources, mentorship opportunities and formal training programs to help our residents and fellows excel as physician-scientists. Explore all of the resources and hear from housestaff who are making research a major part of their career development plans.

VISIT THE STARZL ACADEMY SITE

Giving

Support What We Do
Dave McCreery

We invite your philanthropic partnership in helping us achieve our research and teaching missions each day.

Make an online donation

You can contact Dave McCreery for more information on supporting the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at 312-503-6099 or david.mccreery@northwestern.edu