Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary Hypertension Care

The UNC Pulmonary Hypertension Program is available for patients and referring physicians for the diagnosis, treatment, long-term management, and follow up of patients with all forms of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary thromboembolic disease. We also evaluate patients with shortness of breath that is complex and without clear cause. We are the only Pulmonary Hypertension Association Accredited Comprehensive Care Center in North Carolina.

A Collaborative and Comprehensive Approach to Care

Our program consists of pulmonologists, a cardiologist, clinical nurse coordinators, and research coordinators. As such, we are able to meet all of the needs of patients with complex pulmonary vascular disease, including the management of all advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension therapies. All physicians on our team are capable of performing comprehensive and complete right heart catheterization when indicated to evaluate for pulmonary hypertension.

Our Team

Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

H. James (“Jimmy”) Ford, MD Associate Professor of Medicine Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Barbara L. LeVarge, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine Associate Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Sheila Krishnan, DO Assistant Professor of Medicine

Jimmy Ford H. James (“Jimmy”) Ford, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program

Barbara LeVarge Barbara L. LeVarge, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Associate Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Program

Sheila Krishnan, DO
Assistant Professor of Medicine

Cardiology

Lisa J. Rose-Jones, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine (Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation)

Clinical Nurse Coordinators

Sara Decker, RN
Pulmonary Hypertension Nurse Coordinator

Laura Nowicki, RN
Pulmonary Hypertension Nurse Coordinator

Research Staff

Samantha Earnhardt, MPH, CCRC
Outpatient Clinical Trials Program Manager

Paula Glover
Research Coordinator

Our Clinic

Our clinic is located at the Pulmonary Specialty Clinic at Meadowmont in Chapel Hill.

300 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 203
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Directions to the Clinic

For appointments or further information about referring a patient, please contact:

Laura Nowicki, RN
Email: laura_nowicki@med.unc.edu
Phone: 919-966-2531

Inpatient Care

Patients requiring hospitalization for the evaluation and treatment of pulmonary hypertension are admitted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, to specialized floors or intensive care units that are experienced in the care of pulmonary hypertension patients.

Research

There are multiple clinical trials and research studies in pulmonary hypertension being conducted at UNC. Please see our research pages for further information:

Contact Samantha Earnhardt for more information or if you are interested in learning more about our studies.

Resources

Pulmonary Hypertension Association - A not for profit organization dedicated to advancing care and research for PAH patients. Good information about the disease and where to seek care at pulmonary hypertension centers around the country.

Listen to Dr. Ford discuss Pulmonary Hypertension with Your Health Radio, UNC Family Medicine's weekly health radio show.