I want to understand the fundamental question of what causes scarring in the lung that characterizes ILD. During my PhD and fellowship, I uncovered the important cell types that contribute to lung scarring: (1) overzealous fibroblasts – the cell that makes the most scar tissue of any cell in the human body; (2) the lung epithelial cell – the thin, delicate cell that plays a critical role in allowing our body to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide; and (3) abnormal immune cells. As an NIH funded investigator, I am studying how these cells work in concert to drive scar tissue build up in ILD. I hope that this research will in the long term provide insights into new treatments for my patients.
I take a patient centered approach to care and strive to give patients the information they need to make informed decisions on managing their disease.
Areas of Expertise
Where I See Patients
Duke Pulmonary Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G - Durham, NC
I take a patient centered approach to care and strive to give patients the information they need to make informed decisions on managing their disease.
My Locations
Office:
919-681-1300
About Me
I am a board-certified pulmonologist who specializes in caring for patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). ILD is characterized by inflammation and scar tissue buildup in the alveoli, the functional units of the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. I am passionate about advancing care for patients with ILD, particularly because we currently have limited options to reverse lung scarring once it develops. As a tertiary care center, I see patients with ILD from across North Carolina and neighboring states. Our multidisciplinary ILD conference brings together specialists in pathology, radiology and pulmonology to review complex cases and develop consensus recommendations for the best next steps in care. Because my practice is dedicated exclusively to patients with ILD, I have extensive experience managing these complex conditions and helping patients navigate their care.
Current Appointments and Affiliations
Patients I Treat
Adults
Languages I Speak
English
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
Training and Education
Fellowship
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Duke University, 2026
Residency
Internal Medicine, Duke University, 2019-2023
Education
MD, Duke University, 2019
Clinical Focus and Research
My Research Interests
Publications and Grants
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage (*Available in select counties only)
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- Blue Value (*Duke Health Lake Norman and Kernodle Clinics only)
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Employee Plans
- Cigna Care
- Duke Advantage
- Duke Basic
- Duke Options
- Duke Select
- Duke USA
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- Alliance Health
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- Partners
- Trillium
- UHC Community Plan
- Vaya Health
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
Duke requires faculty members to report certain relationships outside of their employment in order to ensure potential conflicts can be addressed. This faculty member has reported no outside activities that relate to their Duke responsibilities.
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