Physicians specializing in the Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Department are called pulmonologists or pulmonary disease specialists. Pulmonology, also known as chest medicine and respiratory medicine, is a medical specialty that deals with diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract.

After graduating from an accredited medical school, pulmonologists complete a three-year (minimum) internal medicine residency program. They train for an additional two years in a subspecialty fellowship program devoted to pulmonary medicine.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation's (PAMF) medical team is made up of eight board-certified pulmonary disease specialists. Many of them also completed a combined fellowship training program and became board certified in critical care. The physicians in department work closely with their colleagues to insure that their patients are provided with the best care possible. If surgical treatment is needed, they consult with the physicians in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department. PAMF's pulmonary specialists take advantage of all their skills and resources to make sure that all their patients are given the optimal medication, therapy and care they deserve.
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