New insights into the correlations between circulating tumor cells and target organ metastasis

Division Of Pulmonary, Critical Care And Sleep Medicine

Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy and Interventional Pulmonary Medicine

A modern bronchoscopy suite with fluoroscopy is available for ambulatory and inpatient bronchoscopic procedures.

Fellows have ample opportunities to develop skills in performing bronchoalveolar lavage, endobronchial and transbronchial lung biopsies in addition to endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) directed procedures using both linear and radial instruments in diagnostic evaluation and staging in patients with suspected intrathoracic malignancy.

Training in procedures such as PleurX catheter placement, talc pleurodesis, tracheal dilation, rigid bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, endobronchial stenting, balloon bronchoplasty, argon photocoagulation (APC) and cryotherapy are performed when appropriate under the direction of board certified interventional pulmonology faculty. Percutaneous tracheostomies are performed at the bedside on patients with chronic respiratory failure under bronchoscopic guidance at both SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

In addition, fellows gain experience in a number of other invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques used in pulmonary medicine such as pleuroscopy, pleural biopsy and the placement and management of chest tubes.

Barber Joins Scotland Pulmonology And Sleep Medicine

LAURINBURG — Scotland Health recently announced the addition of board-certified Pulmonologist, Laura Barber, M.D. To Scotland Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine.

Dr. Barber grew up in Argentina and is a graduate of Cordoba National University in Cordoba, Argentina and served as General Medicine, General Surgery, and chief resident at Regional J.B. Iturraspe Hospital. She also served as Emergency/Trauma and chief resident at Cordoba Emergency Trauma Hospital.

Dr. Barber worked in an array of medical settings in Florida, Texas, Indiana, and New York. Dr. Barber then traveled to North Carolina where she completed her Internal Medicine Residency with East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She also obtained her Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Fellowship and became the chief fellow with East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. Dr. Barber rounded out her medical education at Duke University obtaining her PAH in Interventional Bronchoscopy.

She has held multiple chair positions in Quality and Improvement Committees and as a medical reviewer for Florida State. Along with being recognized with multiple Top Doctor Awards, Dr. Barber is also a member of many Professional Medical Societies and has contributed to a host of publications and presentations.

Dr. Barber volunteers with Child Protective Services and with Domestic Violence Victims in her spare time. She also enjoys family travel, running, swimming and interior design. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian.

"I am happy to serve a rural community and look forward to meeting the needs for a second Pulmonologist. I have traveled many places but have found my home here in North Carolina and with Scotland Health. I am currently accepting new patients." Barber said.

To make an appointment with Dr. Barber, call 910-504-8535.

UPMC Western Maryland Expands Access To Gastroenterology, Other Areas

CUMBERLAND — The most recent addition of new providers at UPMC Western Maryland offers expanded access in the areas of gastroenterology, pulmonology, obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology and neurology.

Gastroenterology has added Dr. Syed Bilal Pasha and physician assistant Natashia Van Slyke to the practice. Pasha specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of many gastrointestinal conditions and is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Van Slyke is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. For more information, call 240-964-8717.

Pulmonology has expanded to include Dr. Javeria Anwar, who provides treatment for many conditions affecting the lungs and is board-certified in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine. To schedule an appointment, call 240-964-8750.

Obstetrics and gynecology has added Dr. Meghan Anderson, and nurse midwife Katelin Lechliter. Anderson earned her medical degree at Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University and Lechliter is board-certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. For more information, call 240-964-8760.

Endocrinology has added Dr. Noriecel Mendoza to its practice. For more information, call 240-964-8900.

Additionally, the neurology team has added Dr. Grant Gibb, who will be seeing patients at the UPMC Johnson Heights Medical Building through the use of telemedicine. To schedule an appointment, call 240-964-4230.

"We are pleased to welcome these providers and offer their expertise to our patients," said Dr. Matthew Simmons, vice president of medical staff affairs, UPMC Western Maryland. "The expansion of these critical services allows us to increase access to our high-quality care and support the health and well-being of the communities we serve."

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