Interventional Pulmonology at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Contact Information
To consult an Interventional Pulmonology specialist, or arrange a referral, call (800) 628-4141 or (804) 828-6396 or e-mail rshepherd@mcvh-vcu.edu.
For outpatient referrals, please specify the referral as an “Interventional Pulmonology” patient. These patients will be seen within one week or sooner if necessary.
For inpatient transfers please call the VCUMC transfer center at (804) 828-2638 or call the main operator at (804) 828-0951 and ask for the pulmonologist on call
Interventional Pulmonology
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center is home to state’s largest and most comprehensive interventional pulmonology (IP) subspecialty service.
This growing service uses advanced endoscopic techniques of both the airway and the pleural space for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Our experienced team, led by Wes Shepherd, MD, works in close cooperation with other specialists at VCU Medical Center, to assure treatments are coordinated and communication with patients and referring physicians is clear.
- The broadest array of diagnostic and therapeutic options in one setting
- Uniquely tailored care plans for each patient
- Easily arranged outpatient referrals, inpatient admissions and transfers
- New patients seen within one week
- Research protocols for patients to consider
- Experienced physicians:
- Wes Shepherd, MD: Virginia’s only fellowship trained interventional pulmonologist
- Leonard Moses, MD: Over 15 years experience and one of the first to perform interventional bronchoscopy procedures in the region
- Anthony Cassano, MD: Thoracic surgeon with expertise in minimally invasive and complex surgical cases
Areas of Focus:
Future of interventional pulmonology
Numerous technologies are under investigations that hold promise of patient benefit.
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Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction may improve symptoms of emphysema through a less invasive approach than surgical lung volume reduction.
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Bronchial thermoplasty is a novel technique to reduce airway smooth muscle and improve symptoms of those with asthma.
VCU Medical Center’s interventional pulmonology program is uniquely positioned to offer an experienced airway team to implement these new therapies as they emerge.
Comprehensive Care
Individuals with interventional pulmonology issues require accurate diagnosis and tailored treatments. These patients are usually best cared for in experienced centers where all existing medical airway tools are available.
VCUMC offers the most comprehensive services and technologies in interventional pulmonology in Virginia. The IP program offers the widest range of options to treat benign and malignant lesions located anywhere in the tracheobronchial tree.
Due to the complex nature of their disease patients referred to the IP program are often managed in a multidisciplinary fashion, featuring collaboration with thoracic surgery, ENT and thoracic radiology.
For physicians and health care providers, a system is in place to make consults, referrals and transfers easy to accomplish, with new patients seen within a week of referral. Physicians should also feel confident when they use VCU Medical Center that they are linking their patients with the best trained caregivers in interventional pulmonology.