UPMC Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic

Managing a patient with interstitial lung disease requires coordination between experts in pulmonology medicine and rheumatology. At the UPMC Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic, we provide comprehensive care in one central location for patients with both interstitial lung disease and rheumatologic disease. 

The UPMC Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic is one of only a few centers in the country to offer this comprehensive level of care to patients. With the combined expertise of the Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease and the Division of Rheumatology’s disease-focused centers in rheumatology including a Myositis Center, Scleroderma Center and Lupus Center, patients have access to a full range of diagnostic and treatment options not widely available at other centers.

A Collaborative Approach to Care 

Patients who present to the UPMC Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic will be evaluated jointly by experts in pulmonology and rheumatology during the same appointment . This coordination of care allows us to eliminate additional travel and create a convenient patient experience.

As many autoimmune diseases often go unrecognized, this combined effort between pulmonologists and rheumatologists helps us to identify any underlying autoimmune diseases so we can develop a treatment plan that best fits the needs of the patient. Evaluating patients simultaneously also enables our team to facilitate additional evaluations and discussions between pulmonologists, rheumatologists, and pathologists who are dedicated to the care of patients with interstitial lung disease. 

Depending on the needs or the patient, our team will coordinate enrollment in clinical trials and referral to other UPMC specialties, including the UPMC Lung Transplant Program.  

Eligible Patients 

At the UPMC Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic, we will evaluate patients with: 

• Interstitial lung disease associated with a defined connective tissue disease 
• Interstitial lung disease associated with possible autoimmune disease base on: 
  
  • Extra-pulmonary clinical features 
  • Abnormal serology - high titer antinuclear antibody (ANA) or cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)
  • Atypical lung biopsy features 

Referring a patient 

Our experts are part of a multidisciplinary care team that includes you – the referring physician. Our experts maintain open communication and collaboration with referring physicians so that we can provide the highest level of care to your patient. 

To learn more about the UPMC Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic or to refer a patient, please contact Michelle Gilbert (Rheumatology) at 412-647-9059.

Clinic Location

Autoimmune Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic
Falk Clinic
3601 Fifth Ave., Suite 2B
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
Fax: 412-692-4313

Comprehensive Lung Center
Falk Medical Building
Fourth Floor
3601 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 
412-648-6161

UPMC Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
Falk Clinic
3601 Fifth Ave., Suite 2B
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-647-6700