Adult Cystic Fibrosis

Modern treatments make it possible for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) to live well with their condition and live well into adulthood — provided they receive regular, lifelong care from experienced CF specialists.

At VCU Health, our pediatric and adult CF clinics are accredited as CF Care Centers of Excellence by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This designation confirms we offer a level of CF care that leads to improved length and quality of life.

Our adult clinic provides ongoing follow-up care and CF-related urgent care to patients throughout Virginia and beyond. We serve people who:

• Are 18-21 years of age and are in the process of transitioning their care from their pediatric CF specialist to an adult specialist
• Were not previously diagnosed with CF as a child and are experiencing CF symptoms for the first time in adulthood
• Have recently relocated to the area and need to establish care with a new CF specialist

When you choose our team for adult CF care, you receive comprehensive care and support. As a team, we will partner with you to manage your symptoms and treat (or prevent) lung infections and other complications.

A Team Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Because CF can affect so many parts of your body — and your life — we use a multispecialty approach that addresses all your physical, mental and emotional needs. Our team consists of several professionals with advanced training or extensive experience in CF care, including:

• Dietitians who help ensure you’re getting the right amount of calories and nutrition
• Endocrinologists who can help you manage diabetes and osteoporosis, common complications among people with CF
• Nurses who can answer your questions about symptoms, self-care and more
• Pharmacists who are familiar with all the medicines used to treat CF and can help make sure you’re taking the right medicines at the right doses at the right times
• Pulmonologists who oversee your treatment plan and help you maintain good lung health
• Research coordinators who can help you enroll in clinical trials, such as studies that let you try promising new CF drugs before they’re widely available
• Respiratory therapists and pulmonary rehabilitation specialists who can teach you breathing or airway clearance techniques and help coordinate oxygen therapy
• Social workers who can connect you with resources ranging from CF support groups to health insurance specialists

Our team members work closely with pediatric CF experts from Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. This helps ensure teens and young adults with CF have a seamless experience transitioning from pediatric to adult care.

Why Choose VCU Health for Adult Cystic Fibrosis Care

Patients with CF (and their families) count on our team to help them lead active, fulfilling lives. That’s because we’re known for providing:

• The full range of CF medications. We offer the latest approved and investigational medicines that prevent or treat infections, reduce lung inflammation and loosen mucus. This includes “combination medications” called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators. These new drugs target certain gene mutations that cause CF and are considered a breakthrough in CF treatment.
• Access to the latest airway clearance devices. We can prescribe — and teach you how to use — devices that make it easier to clear mucus from your lungs. These include electric chest clappers (mechanical percussors), inflatable therapy vests and positive expiratory pressure (PEP) devices.
• Multispecialty care. People with CF have a higher risk of certain medical conditions. These include diabetes, liver problems, osteoporosis, pancreatitis and frequent bronchitis or pneumonia. To that end, our team works closely with other VCU Health specialists to help keep you as healthy as possible.
• An abundance of support. Whether you’re interested in starting a family or want to make sure you’re exercising safely, we’re here to help. We can coordinate (or refer you to) various support services such as genetic testing and high-risk pregnancy care.

Our Providers

Nauman Chaudary, MD, FACP, FCCP, Pulmonologist
Trang N. Le, MD, Endocrinologist
Mahsa Farsad, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian
Genoveva Garcia, BSN, RN, Nurse Clinical Coordinator
Nicole Garland, MSW, Social Worker
Narisa Turner, RRT, Registered Respiratory Therapist

Contact Us

Make an Appointment

To schedule a first-time consultation or follow-up appointment, please call (804) 828-1579.

If you’re a new patient, please arrange to have your medical records from any previous CF providers faxed to (804) 828-2578 before your first appointment.

Refer Your Patient

We appreciate the opportunity to help you care for your adult patients with cystic fibrosis. We frequently work with patients and providers from Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and the Carolinas.

To refer a patient for further evaluation or treatment, please call (804) 828-2161.