UNMC has been designated a Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network by the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association.
UNMC is one of 27 care center and six clinical associate center sites in 23 states and the District of Columbia to be recognized as the new Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network, which aims to facilitate access to specialized care and support for the hundreds of thousands of people with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.
“This is a recognition of the growth of our program and UNMC as a place patients can receive excellent specialty care,” said Rick Starlin, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. “Being part of this national network of care centers allows us to offer patients access to novel therapies, clinical trials, education and support.”
Faculty from the UNMC Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine have been collaborating to provide care for these medically challenging patients.
The designation, Dr. Starlin said, also provides greater opportunities for both current research and future studies.
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterized by enlarged airways that are thickened and/or scarred. These permanently widened airways lead to a buildup of mucus and impaired clearance of bacteria from the lungs. Between 340,000 and 522,000 adults are receiving treatment in the U.S.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease is a chronic respiratory condition caused by certain types of mycobacteria commonly found in the environment, such as in soil and water. NTM lung disease predominantly affects individuals with compromised immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions, such as bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NTM lung disease affects tens of thousands of individuals in the U.S. with rates of infection on the rise.
“As the prevalence of bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease grows, it is even more important for us to create this care center network to improve access to high-quality, specialty care and resources patients need,” said Doreen Addrizzo-Harris, MD, chair of the CCN Steering Committee. “The CCN’s innovative, nationwide network will help us achieve our goals of improving care and quality of life for those with these conditions, as well as advancing toward a cure.”
Centers accepted into the CCN receive a designation of either a Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center or a Bronchiectasis and NTM Clinical Associate Center, based on institutional resources and infrastructure. The requirements are established by the CCN’s Steering Committee, comprised of leading experts in the field.
The new Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center sites are (in alphabetical order):
- Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
- Emory University Center for Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease Care, Atlanta
- Georgetown University Medical Center/MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Center for Bronchiectasis and NTM Disease, Washington
- Johns Hopkins Center for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria and Bronchiectasis, Baltimore
- LSU Health New Orleans, New Orleans
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
- National Jewish Health, Denver
- Northwell Health Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York
- Northwestern University, Chicago
- NYU Langone Health Bronchiectasis and NTM Program, New York
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Stanford University, Stanford, California
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- University of California, San Francisco
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
- University of Michigan Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- University of Nebraska Medical Center
- University of North Carolina Bronchiectasis/NTM Care and Research Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio
- UVA Health, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
The new Bronchiectasis and NTM Clinical Associate Center sites are:
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland
- Norton Thoracic Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center, Phoenix
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, New York
- UC San Diego Health, San Diego
- University of Miami Health System, Miami
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
The goal of the network is to span 150 medical centers in diverse geographical locations nationwide over the next three years. The Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network is generously supported by Insmed Incorporated as a founding sponsor and Boehringer Ingelheim.
For more information about the Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center Network, visit the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association website.