PFF Care Center Network Expands to 33 US States with Addition of 8 Treatment Facilities

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) announced that its nationwide Care Center Network (CCN) now encompasses 68 medical centers in 33 states, following the addition of eight sites with recognized expertise in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) diagnosis, treatment, and patient support.

“Our growing network of centers has expanded to the states of Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon, and Vermont, increasing coverage in new geographic regions,” Pauline Bianchi, vice president of research and development for PFF, said in a press release.

“Our goal is to continue to expand access to ultimately bring comprehensive care and expertise to more people living with this life-threatening condition,” Bianchi added.

According to the PFF website, facilities in the CCN meet the high eligibility standards developed by PF healthcare experts and patients. They offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to patient care supported by experts in pulmonary medicine, rheumatology, radiology, pathology, as well as nurses with a specialty in treating lung disease.

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Beginning in 2013 with nine care centers, the CCN has expanded to these newly added sites:

• Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
• Emory University Hospital, Atlanta
• Indiana University Health, Indianapolis 
• New York University School of Medicine, New York 
• The Oregon Clinic, Portland, Oregon
• The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont
• Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia 
• University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, Kentucky

Care centers in the CCN actively collaborate with the PFF to support local PF communities, assisting with ongoing care and social services that reach out to the more than 200,000 people in the United States thought to have this disease. They also provide educational material and activities for patients and their caregivers, and recruitment services for patients interested in participating in medical research and clinical trials. 

A major source of network funding comes from corporations, foundations, and people affected by PF who understand how a comprehensive healthcare network is essential to good care and a better quality of life, the foundation states.

A map of regional PF centers across the U.S. can be found here. PF patients and caregivers wanting to learn more about these centers, as well as current education and other information, can visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org, or call 844.TalkPFF (844-825-5733) in the U.S.