Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
The Division of Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine is dedicated to providing excellent clinical care to children with a variety of breathing and sleep disorders through our clinical affiliate Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago while training the next generation of pediatricians with an interest in pulmonary and sleep medicine. This rapidly expanding division has clinical and research interests in specialized areas such as aerodigestive disorders, asthma, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, neuromuscular disorders, primary ciliary dyskinesia, pulmonary hypertension and technology-dependent children with complex care needs.
I believe that through effective communication, mutual collaboration and intellectual curiosity, we can facilitate partnerships in clinical care and develop academic tools to further the fields of pulmonary and sleep medicine for children both locally and nationwide."
—Maria Dowell, MD
Interim Division Head, Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
What We Do
Patient Care
In 2023, U.S. News and World Report ranked Lurie Children’s in the top 20 pediatric pulmonary programs in the nation. Clinical facilities include a pulmonary inpatient unit and outpatient facilities at Lurie Children’s and eight satellite sites. Learning resources, services and programs include:
- A state-of-the-art sleep laboratory
- Flexible bronchoscopy service
- Pulmonary function laboratory, including spirometry, plethysmography, impulse oscillometry, diffusion capacity testing and a pulmonary exercise laboratory
- Full-service pediatric pulmonology inpatient and consultative service
- A nationally recognized Cystic Fibrosis Center with approximately 200 pediatric patients
- Additional subspecialty programs such as high-risk asthma, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary habilitation, interstitial lung disease, neuromuscular, aerodigestive disorders and primary ciliary dyskinesia
Research
The Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine conducts innovative and groundbreaking research exploring the pathogenesis and treatment of various lung and sleep disorders in children as well as distinct interests in healthcare disparities in pediatric respiratory disease.Education
Education
Located within Lurie Children's on the downtown Northwestern campus, medical students, residents and fellows learn at the city’s largest pulmonary practice within a dedicated academic medical center. Pediatric residents can choose Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine subspecialty rotations and learn through daily inpatient care of patients with a variety of pulmonary disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and neuromuscular respiratory weakness. Our fellowship program harnesses the clinical and research expertise of Lurie faculty as well as the academic resources of Northwestern University to provide the optimal training environment.
Advocacy
Our Fellow’s College series includes a session on integrating advocacy into your career. Faculty members serve on the boards of multiple national academic organizations, foundations and committees, playing a significant role in promoting advocacy efforts at national, state and local levels. From Capitol Hill to the Chicago City Council, staff raise awareness and support important access to care legislation. Click on the link below to read more ways we get involved.Meet the Team
Programs
Pediatric Sleep Medicine
This newer medical discipline is dedicated to clinical care, advocacy, education and research in all areas of Pediatric Sleep Medicine including sleep-disordered breathing (pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, pediatric central sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoventilation syndromes, non-invasive CPAP, bilevel PAP therapy and non-invasive ventilation), narcolepsy/cataplexy, circadian rhythm disorders, nightmares sleep disorders, parasomnias, sleepwalking, restless leg syndrome/periodic limb movement disorder, and insomnia. Since 1995, Lurie Children's Sleep Center has evaluated and/or treated more than 30,000 children.
Our hospital and research center relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please contact the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312-227-7500.