Centers of Excellence

The Lung Center

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Clinic and Sarcoidosis Service

Providing Compassionate and Cutting-Edge Care for ILD

Timely treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD), including pulmonary fibrosis, is essential to limit lung scarring and optimize your health.

The ILD Clinic at The Lung Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital brings together a unique, multidisciplinary team of physicians—rheumatologists, pulmonologists, pathologists and radiologists—all dedicated to providing specialized care for patients with ILD. The Sarcoidosis Service is a specialty clinic offering the ILD Clinic's signature multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients with chronic lung disease. It is one of a few dedicated sarcoidosis programs in the region, incorporating specialists in many disciplines, including pulmonologists, rheumatologists, cardiologists, ophthalmologists, neurologists, dermatologists, pathologists and radiologists—all with interest and experience in sarcoidosis management.

This collaborative structure, combined with the expertise of our Harvard Medical School-affiliated, board-certified physicians, enables us to provide a focused and thorough approach to diagnosing and treating ILD and sarcoidosis. These specialists work with you to preserve your lung function.

What Is Interstitial Lung Disease?

ILD, also referred to as pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial pneumonia, comprises a group of conditions characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and scarring around the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. This lung remodeling leads to a decrease in the ability of the lungs to take in oxygen that makes breathing more difficult.

Learn more about interstitial lung disease (ILD)

What Is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis, a form of interstitial lung disease, is a rare disease characterized by the discrete accumulation of inflammatory cells and matrix proteins (granulomas) in different parts of the body, typically the lungs (pulmonary sarcoidosis). The skin and lymph nodes may also be affected. Though the causes or risk factors for this disease are poorly defined, in general people respond to immune modulation treatment.

Learn more about sarcoidosis

Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment

Sarcoidosis patients receive a comprehensive, same-day evaluation with a pulmonologist and a rheumatologist. Results of the consultation and extensive diagnostic testing are reviewed by our multidisciplinary teams. We then develop personalized treatment plans, based on evidence-based protocols. This careful approach leads to highly informed diagnosis and a timely well-organized treatment plan.

The ILD Clinic and the Sarcoidosis Service are located at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Our setting within an academic medical center allows patients access to a full range of leading-edge medical and surgical programs.

We work closely with the Division of Thoracic Surgery and the Lung Transplant Program, expediting referrals for patients requiring specialized surgical care. Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is also available. In addition, we offer access to a wide range of clinical research, including clinical trials.

Comprehensive and compassionate care in our ILD Clinic includes:

  • One of the largest ILD programs in the Northeast, with seven pulmonologists (lung doctors) now treating 1,000 patients
  • Convenient, one-stop evaluation with both a pulmonologist and a rheumatologist who create your personalized treatment plan
  • Access to cutting edge treatments and clinical trials through one of the largest ILD research programs in the United States
  • Extensive pulmonary rehab program to improve exercise ability, breathing, and overall quality of life
  • A robust Lung Transplant Program (the largest in New England) for advanced disease. We perform approximately 75 transplants yearly to improve health and extend life
  • A Sarcoidosis Service, one of few in New England for this rare ILD type

How Do I Make an Appointment?

Call The Lung Center at 1-844-BWH-LUNG (1-844-294-5864) to make an appointment with the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Clinic or the Sarcoidosis Service or request an appointment online.

For more information about the Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic or the Sarcoidosis Service, please contact us at (617) 732-9894 or bwhteleservices@partners.org.

I'm a Physician. How Do I Refer a Patient?

Referring physicians can call 1-844-BWH-LUNG (1-844-294-5864) to refer a patient.

To schedule an appointment for your patient, please call our referral coordinator at (617) 732-6770, option 1. After office hours, leave a message and we will follow up with either your office or your patient.

Once your patient has been evaluated, we will provide you with timely correspondence, including our multidisciplinary team’s recommendations. If you wish to discuss a patient’s condition and whether a referral would be appropriate, our on-call ILD provider can be paged at (617) 732-5500, pager # 39900

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Clinic Team

Sarcoidosis Service Team

Research and Clinical Trials

The Interstitial Lung Disease Research team focuses on advancing the understanding of pathogenesis and identification of novel treatment modalities for patients with ILD through robust basic, translational and clinical research programs. In conjunction with the family of David E. Herlihy, we have created a patient research registry containing key clinical data from patients with ILD.

Our Location

The Lung Center is located at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston at the 15 Francis Street entrance. Pulmonary and critical care medicine, thoracic surgery and thoracic imaging are adjacent to one another, making accessibility and appointment scheduling seamless. The Sarcoidosis and Granulomatous Lung Disease Service is located at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital.

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


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