My wife is having distressing episodes of breathlessness, provoked by
very limited physical activity. Her cardiologist says this is not a
problem with her heart. Looking for best available doctors/facilities
in the Boston area to diagnose and treat this problem.

Hello Gthoenen,

   It?s a shame to hear about your wife?s difficulties, but you can be
glad you are in Boston. I have found several excellent doctors who
specialize in pulmonology, and who practice at Massachusetts General
and Beth Israel Deaconess. Both hospitals are affiliated with Harvard
Medical School. I have selected these physicians based on the
information I found based their record, certifications and hospital
affiliations.

Generally speaking, a large medical center, affiliated with a
prestigious medical school will offer top notch medical care. You
should feel comfortable at Massachusetts General, or Beth Israel
Deaconess Hospital. Of course, if you find you don?t care for a
particular doctor, you should feel free to change to another.



=====================
Massachusetts General
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114-2622
Main Switchboard-Operator 617-726-2000 extension 
http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/

?Through the Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Services we are
consulted on a multitude of interesting pulmonary diseases. The
Thoracic Division performs over 100,000 imaging examinations/year and
provides a concentrated experience in both usual and unusual medical
and surgical conditions. The Thoracic Division works cooperatively
with exceptionally strong medical, surgical and subspecialty
services.?
http://www.thoracicrad.org/str99/fellowships/MassGeneral.htm



Barbara Ann Cockrill, MD
=========================
Barbara Ann Cockrill, MD
Pulmonary Associates, 55 Fruit Street, GRB 645, Boston, MA 02114-2696 
Phone: 617-726-1721
Dr. Cockrill is Board certified in Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine and
Pulmonary Disease  
http://www.massgeneral.org/doctor/Medical_Professional_Detail.asp?MPR=9501&ON=15722

http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/pulmonarycare/hypertension/specialist.html


Barbara A. Cockrill, MD
Clinical Director
Pulmonary Vascular Disease Center
Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit 
Massachusetts General Hospital 
Harvard Medical School 
55 Fruit Street 
Boston, MA 02114 
Tel: 617-726-1721 
Fax: 617-726-6878
E-mail: bcockrill@partners.org
http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/pulmonary/cockrill.html

A list of Dr. Cockrill?s Medline publications
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=search&db=PubMed&orig_db=PubMed&term=COCKRILL+BA




Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
====================================

?About Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a major patient care, teaching
and research affiliate of Harvard Medical School, ranking third in
National Institutes of Health funding among independent hospitals
nationwide. The medical center is clinically affiliated with the
Joslin Diabetes Center and is a founding member of the
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Care Center. BIDMC is the official hospital
of the Boston Red Sox. For more information, visit
www.bidmc.harvard.edu.?
http://www.verity.com/company/press/releases/release.jsp?pressID=871



Dr. Muge Erkan
==============
?Muge Erkan, private practice at Pulmonary Associates of Greater
Boston; clinical instructor in medicine, Harvard Medical School.
Clinical interests: asthma, pulmonary critical care, transbronchial
needle aspiration. Why she's tops: "Dr. Erkan is a specialist in lung
disease, and patients who have this disease are a challenging group.
You have to be skilled at alleviating fear and anxiety," says Dr.
Donald Kaplan, medical director of Whidden Memorial Hospital. "Dr.
Erkan eases them through what often is a very difficult time in their
lives. She never lets the pressure to rush through a day interfere
with patient care."

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/ArticleDisplay.php?id=342

Pulmonary Assoc. Boston 
103 Garland Street 
EVERETT, MA    02149 
Phone: (617) 389-4666

Dr. Erkan is associated with the Whidden Memorial Hospital,
Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, and the
Cambridge Public Health Commission

Dr. ERKAN has not made a payment on a malpractice claim in
Massachusetts in the last ten years.
Dr. ERKAN has had no criminal convictions in the past ten years.
Dr. ERKAN has no record of hospital discipline in the past ten years.
Dr. ERKAN has not been disciplined by the Board in the past ten years.

http://profiles.massmedboard.org/Profiles/MA-Physician-Profile-View-Doctor.asp?Brn=154364


David J Feller-Kopman, MD
=========================
David J Feller-Kopman, MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care
330 Brookline Avenue, E/KS-B23
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-667-5864 
Fax: 617-667-4849
http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/default.asp?leaf_id=898

Dr. FELLER-KOPMAN has not made a payment on a malpractice claim in 
Massachusetts in the last ten years.

Dr. FELLER-KOPMAN has had no criminal convictions in the past ten years.

Dr. FELLER-KOPMAN has no record of hospital discipline in the past ten years.

Dr. FELLER-KOPMAN has not been disciplined by the Board in the past ten years.
Honors and AwardsALPHA OMEGA ALPHA **ADDITIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION IN
INTERNAL MEDICINE**

http://profiles.massmedboard.org/Profiles/MA-Physician-Profile-View-Doctor.asp?Brn=150984


Dr. Feller-Kopman
?Dr. Feller-Kopman is a core member of the Interventional Pulmonology
Program at BIDMC. As part of the IP service, he performs all aspects
of diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy, medical thoracoscopy,
percutaneous tracheostomy and PEG placement. Additionally, Dr.
Feller-Kopman helps conduct several training courses at both the
fellow, and attending level in fields such as Advanced Diagnostic
Bronchoscopy, Medical Thoracoscopy and Ultrasonography for the
Non-Radiologist. He is centrally involved in the training of the
fellows in the Interventional Pulmonology (IP) program. Dr.
Feller-Kopman also attends in the Medical ICU and sees patients in the
Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Clinic?

http://pulmonaryfellowship.hms.harvard.edu/NewFiles/Staff/FacultyFeller-Kopman.html


Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, associated with Harvard 
http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/sites/bidmc/home.asp

?The pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine division's clinical
programs focus on evaluation and management of a wide variety of
diagnostic and therapeutic problems including asthma, chronic
obstructive lung disease, interstitial lung disease and thoracic
neoplasms. As one of ten clinical centers nationwide involved in a
large study of sarcoidosis sponsored by the National Institutes of
Health, the division is a major referral center for the evaluation and
management of sarcoidosis. A full range of diagnostic studies is
available including routine and specialized physiologic testing (e.g.,
bronchoprovocations and cardiopulmonary exercise studies), fiberoptic
bronchoscopy, pleuroscopy and other biopsy procedures.?
http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/display.asp?node_id=409&leaf_id=470


Patricia A. Kritek, MD
=======================
Patricia A. Kritek, MD, is a lung specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center.
Dr. Kritek won the 2005 Clinical Fellows Celebration
Distinguished Excellence in Teaching Awards
http://www.bwh.partners.org/dom_newsletter/May_05/Clinical_Fellows.htm
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care
330 Brookline Avenue, E/KS-B23
Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-667-5864 
Fax: 617-667-4849
http://www.bidmc.harvard.edu/default.asp?leaf_id=898

She is also on the Editorial Advisory Board Health Care Management Review.
http://www.hcmrjournal.com/pt/re/hcmr/editorialboard.htm;jsessionid=DChnKNtj9Ex1wbUaJwhei6tjc0jbP7eSn6wVBZugWvYbvoWPikup!-379314127!-949856144!9001!-1

Important information on Dr. Kritek, from the Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Medicine Physician Profile :
?
Dr. KRITEK has not made a payment on a malpractice claim in
Massachusetts in the last ten years.Dr. KRITEK has had no criminal
convictions in the past ten years.Dr. KRITEK has no record of hospital
discipline in the past ten years.Dr. KRITEK has not been disciplined
by the Board in the past ten years.

http://profiles.massmedboard.org/Profiles/MA-Physician-Profile-View-Doctor.asp?Brn=208322




Dr. Adey Tsegaye
=================
Dr. Adey Tsegaye, who is associated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
Center, won the CHEST award from AAB (American Association of
Bronchology.
?Adey Tsegaye, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
Case Title: 27-Year-Old Female with Common Variable Immunodeficiency,
Recurrent Pneumonia and Endobronchial ?Cobblestoning? due to Bronchus
Associated Lymphoid Tissue?
http://www.aabronchology.org/awards.htm

An article co-authored by Dr. Tsegaye
http://meeting.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/126/4/927S


AAB
?Founded in 1993, the American Association for Bronchology is an
interdisciplinary society dedicated to bronchoscopy and interventional
pulmonology. The society?s diverse membership includes trainees as
well as senior pulmonologists, chest surgeons, otorhinolaryngologists,
and pediatricians with interests in chest diseases. Members come from
a variety of backgrounds and academic disciplines. Many are, or have
been involved in the development and expansion of procedural
activities at some point during their careers.?
http://www.aabronchology.org/about.htm


Selecting a doctor
===================
?Look for a doctor who:
	 
      [x] Is rated to give quality care.
      [x] Has the training and background that meet your needs.
      [x] Takes steps to prevent illness-for example, talks to you about
          quitting smoking.
      [x] Has privileges at the hospital of your choice.
      [x] Is part of your health plan, unless you can you afford to pay
          extra.
      [x] Encourages you to ask questions.
      [x] Listens to you.
      [x] Explains things clearly.
      [x] Treats you with respect.
http://www.ahcpr.gov/consumer/qntascii/qntdr.htm

How to select a doctor:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/12059-3.asp

What to look for in a doctor
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/5/1680_50951.htm


I hope you will find this answer useful in locating a pulmonary
specialist for your wife! If any part of this answer is unclear,
please request an Answer Clarification, before rating.

Regards, Crabcakes


Search Terms
============
Best pulmonologists + Boston
Massachusetts General Hospital
Beth Israel Deaconess hospital Boston review
choosing a doctor

---

Request for Answer Clarification by gthoenen-ga on 17 Aug 2005 01:51 PDT

Thanks for a very extensive list of recommendations.  However, I
notice that Brigham and Women's Hospital is not mentioned (they have a
Chest Diseases center). This is of interest because most of the other
specialists my wife and I see regularly are at Brigham.  Would I be
correct to assume that Brigham's absence in your recommendations
suggests that they don't match the quality of the doctors and
hospitals you recommend?

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 17 Aug 2005 09:59 PDT

Hi Gthoenen,

  No, Brigham and Women's Hospital was not mentioned because I did not
find that they mentioned pulmonary dieases as a specialty on a
particular site that listed Boston's 19 hospitals. This does NOT mean
they don't have some excellent doctors. The site's owner may have felt
lung disorders was not this hospital's top specialty.

  I will do some research into Brigham and Women's facilities as well,
and post shortly. Thank you for your clarification, and your patience!

  Sincerely, Crabcakes

---

Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 17 Aug 2005 17:32 PDT

Hello again,

   I have done some research on Brigham And Women's Hospital and some
pulmonologists who practice there. Keep in mind, there are 19 or so
hopsitals in Boston - it would have been impossible to review each of
them for the fee of this question! Had I know you were interestd in
Brigham and Women's Hospital, I would have made an effort to include
them in the beginning! Since you have since clarified this, here is
your information!


?Brigham and Women?s Hospital, for the 13th consecutive year, appears
in the U.S.News & World Report Honor Roll of America?s Best Hospitals.
BWH ranked among the top 10 in six specialties: Cardiology, Hormonal
Disorders, Digestive Disorders, Gynecology, Kidney Disease and
Rheumatology.?
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/

?Brigham and Women?s Hospital performed the first lung transplant in
Massachusetts, the first triple organ transplant in the nation, and
the first quadruple transplant in New England, harvesting two lungs, a
heart, and a kidney from a single donor and giving new hope to four
patients awaiting transplants.

Brigham and Women?s Hospital will be the first to conduct clinical
trials of a minimally invasive approach to bronchoscopic lung
reduction surgery for emphysema treatment.?
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/respiratorydisorders/index.asp



Rebecca Marlene Baron, M.D. 
===========================
 Phone:(617) 732-7420 
Email Address:rbaron@partners.org 
Office Address:Brigham And Women's Hospital, Pulmonary Division
75 Francis Street,PBB Clinics 3
Boston, MA 02115
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/mdSearch/MedicalProfessionalDetail.asp?MPR=586&N=Rebecca%20Marlene%20Baron,%20M.D.&D=Medicine&OP=1473&NP=Yes&L=No%20Data%20Available&PT=Specialist

?Dr. Baron?s clinical and research interests lie in acute lung injury
and end-stage lung disease. She spends her clinical time caring for
lung transplant patients and especially enjoys the critical care
aspects of pulmonary medicine. She is interested in all aspects of
pulmonary disease and also attends on the Pulm onary Consult Service.
Dr. Baron also has an abiding interest in housestaff education and
plays an active role in teaching in the Department of Medicine.?
http://pulmonaryfellowship.hms.harvard.edu/NewFiles/Staff/FacultyBaron.html


?Dr. Baron has an interest in acute lung injury and in the laboratory
investigates mouse models of lung injury as well as molecular pathways
of lung inflammation. She is involved in a number of research projects
which seek to elucidate ways in which the inflammatory cascade of
sepsis and lung injury can be averted, as well as in identifying
molecular targets which can be intervened upon to alter the disease
process. Dr. Baron's current clinical time is spent caring for lung
transplant patients, and her clinical interests cover all of pulmonary
disease, with an active teaching role within the Department of
Medicine.? You can also see a list of her publications on this page.
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/respiratorydisorders/Faculty/Baron.asp



Jeffrey Mark Drazen, M.D. 
========================
Phone:781-434-7849 
Email Address:jdrazen@nejm.org 
Office Address:New England Journal of Medicine
10 Shattuck Street
Boston, MA 02215
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/mdSearch/MedicalProfessionalDetail.asp?MPR=1206&N=Jeffrey%20Mark%20Drazen,%20M.D.&D=Medicine&OP=5179&NP=Yes&L=English&PT=Specialist

I was able to find Dr. Drazen?s impressive C.V.
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/physiology/faculty/jdrazen.pdf


Bruce David Levy, M.D.
====================== 

  Phone:(617) 732-7420 Fax:617-732-7421 Email
Address:blevy@partners.org Office Address:Brigham And Women's
Hospital, Pulmonary Division
75 Francis Street,PBB Clinics 3
Boston, MA 02115
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/mdSearch/MedicalProfessionalDetail.asp?MPR=2741&N=Bruce%20David%20Levy,%20M.D.&D=Medicine&OP=1473&NP=Yes&L=No%20Data%20Available&PT=Specialist

Dr. Levy has taught at Harvard.
http://hst.mit.edu/servlet/ControllerServlet?handler=PeopleHandler&action=viewOne&id=HST000672

Again, I wish your wife and you the best treatment and recovery!

Regards, Crabcakes

All cardiologists are certified by the American Board of Internal
Medicine.  They are in charge of credentialling all internal medicine
sub-specialists.  Most cardiologists are also memebers of the American
Hearth Association, but that is primarily a research and advocacy group.

Unfortunately, there is no really good way to find a quality physician. 
It's essentially word-of-mouth.  Just because a doc practices at Stanford
doesn't mean he's stellar, etc.  A friend at medical school in
Michigan met some real jerks there -- even though the hospital has a
great reputation.

Board certification is a minimum for practice these days and doesn't
guarantee but the mostfundamental knowledge base.  Don't get me
started.

The comment by Calgonia is not totally accurate. First, the customer
was seeking a pulmonologist, not a cadiologist. Second, Board
certification for a cardiologist requires this ADDITIONAL train, after
being certified in internal medicine.

Highly rated hospitals review their physicians, and would not tolerate
for long an incompetent doctor.

Examination and Certification
After satisfactory completion of graduate education, the physician is
allowed to take the Internal Medicine board certification examination.
Once this examination has been passed, the physician receives board
certification in internal medicine. This is a prerequisite to becoming
certified in cardiology.

Education in Cardiovascular Disease Medicine
A subspecialty educational program in cardiology must provide training
and supervised experience in the evaluation and management of a
variety of patients with acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions.
The training and experience must be 3 years in duration and at a level
sufficient to acquire the competency of a specialist in the field.

    * 24 months minimum of clinical training, including inpatient and
special experiences
    * 4 months in the cardiac catheterization laboratory
    * 6 months in noninvasive cardiac evaluations, consisting of 3
months of echocardiography, 2 months of nuclear cardiology, and 1
month of other noninvasive cardiac evaluations, including at least
exercise stress testing, ECG interpretation, and ambulatory ECG
recording
    * 2 months devoted to electrophysiology, pacemaker follow-up, and ICDs
    * 8 months of nonlaboratory clinical practice activities (e.g.,
consultations, cardiac care units, postoperative care of cardiac
surgery patients)

Knowledge and competence in performing and interpreting tests and
procedures must be acquired in the following:

    * history and physical examination; basic and advanced cardiac
life support; elective cardioversion; bedside right heart
catheterization; insertion and management of temporary pacemakers,
including transvenous and transcutaneous; right and left heart
catheterization, including coronary arteriography
    * residents must participate in a minimum of 100 catheterizations;
exercise stress testing; a minimum of 50 ECG tests; echocardiography
    * residents must perform and interpret a minimum of 150 studies,
including transesophageal and esophageal cardiac studies;
pericardiocentesis; programming and follow-up surveillance of
permanent pacemakers and ICDs; cardiovascular rehabilitation

Then the physician may sit for the American Board of Internal Medicine
cardiology examination. Sub-specialties require even further training
and examinations to become an FACC fellow. Few incompetents make it
this far!

Also, some of th emost excellent physicians may have a "jerk"
personality and still be the best in their field!
http://www.cardiologychannel.com/cardiologist.shtml