UC Davis Health’s Pulmonary Hypertension Program, within the nationally ranked Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, is a leader in the field of pulmonary hypertension and member of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Comprehensive Care Center Network.

The program has established distinction and dedication in state-of-the-art care advanced therapies for patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. In existence for close to 30 years the program currently sees over 600 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. The program received the highest designation as a referral center by the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) in 2015. The program has a multidisciplinary approach with a team of pulmonologists, cardiologists, radiologist, rheumatologists, nurse specialists, pharmacists and respiratory therapist all working together to provide the highest level care to patients with pulmonary hypertension. Our program emphasis is on a patient centered approach with a primary aim to support and educate patients and their families about their disease.

Who We Are

Our multi-disciplinary team, which includes physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and clinical research coordinators, provide multidisciplinary comprehensive advanced therapy for conditions within the full spectrum of pulmonary vascular disease. Patients will have access to highest level diagnostics and advanced therapies for pulmonary vascular disease. The program is recognized by the PHA as a destination center for comprehensive care of patients with pulmonary hypertension. In addition to access to advanced therapies, patients will have opportunities to participate in a broad range of clinical trials and translational investigation and basic science research.

Our Team

Our multidisciplinary team comprises board-certified specialists in pulmonology and rheumatology, with extensive expertise in pulmonary vascular disease, including longstanding experience in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension. Our team engages in weekly multi-disciplinary conferences and maintains close ties with referring pulmonologists to ensure seamless care for our patients.


Our Doctors

Mark V Avdalovic, M.D.

Director

Professor of Clinical Medicine

Medical Director Pulmonary Hypertension Program

Vice Chair Department of Internal Medicine

Namita Sood, M.D., F.C.C.P.

Professor of Clinical Medicine

Director UC Davis Advanced Lung Disease Program

Director Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical trials

Suraj Timilsina, M.D., Rh.M.S.U.S.

Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor

Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Our Nurses

Carrie Pring, R.N. - Lead Nurse Coordinator

Linda Vuong, R.N. - Nurse Coordinator

Holly Leighton, R.D. - Nurse Coordinator

Our Pharmacist

Suzan Hu

Our Respiratory Therapist

Richard White, R.R.T.

Gina Brandau, R.R.T.

Our Clinical Research Coordinators

David Yang

Parmida Pajouhesh

Sienna Wuu

Our Unique Approach

Our team provides state-of-the-art care for patients with pulmonary vascular disease. All patients evaluated through our program receive a standardized work-up, including laboratory testing, imaging, pulmonary function testing and oxygen needs assessment. Management plans are established with patients upon diagnosis and clinical trial information provided for those interested in enrollment. Conditions managed through our clinic include:

  • Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • Chronic Thromboembolic Disease
  • Arteriovenous Malformations
  • Sickle Cell Related Lung Disease
  • Connective Tissue Related Lung Disease
  • Vasculitis

Our pulmonary vascular disease research program integrates NIH-funded investigators performing basic and translational research in pulmonary vascular disease.

Our mission: to investigate molecular and cellular mechanisms driving development and progression of pulmonary vascular disease, to dissect and pre-clinically validate novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention, and to develop human-based in vitro platforms for molecular and preclinical studies of the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension

Our team:

Dr. Elena Goncharova

Elena Goncharova, Ph.D.

Director, Pulmonary Vascular Disease Research

Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

UC Davis School of Medicine

 

Tatiana Kudryashova

Tatiana Kudryashova, Ph.D.

Assistant Adjunct Professor, Department of Internal Medicine

UC Davis Lung Center

UC Davis School of Medicine

We are actively involved in clinical trials evaluating new therapies and tools for improving patient care and the treatment of lung diseases. Discover current clinical trials.

Info coming soon.

Appointments & Referrals

UC Davis Pulmonary Specialty Clinic – Sacramento (J Street)

2825 J St., Suite 400 
Sacramento, CA 95816 
916-734-8230

Clinic Fax Referrals 

916-734-5582

How to Refer to our Clinic:

General information, questions
and help choosing a UC Davis doctor:
800-2-UCDAVIS or 800-282-3284

Physicians: refer a patient
800-4-UCDAVIS or 800-482-3284

24-hour hospital operator
916-734-2011