Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Clinic

Referral Form

The University of Calgary's Respirology Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program is a leading multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to comprehensive clinical care, education, research and patient and caregiver support. Our goal is to improve the lives and experiences of patients living with interstitial lung disease.

Our ILD program is committed to providing exceptional care to patients with interstitial lung disease. Our team includes experienced respirologists and dedicated ILD nurses who specialize in the management of patients with these complex conditions. Each year, we receive over 300 new referrals, ensuring timely and expert evaluation for individuals across Southern Alberta and beyond.

To support comprehensive assessment and treatment, we hold weekly multidisciplinary rounds (ILD MDD) that bring together respirologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists to review complex ILD cases. Additionally, we conduct monthly combined Rheumatology-ILD rounds to provide integrated care for patients with systemic autoimmune-related lung disease.

For prospective patients:
- Please request a referral to our program from your physician
For physicians:
- To refer a patient to the ILD Clinic: patients must have CT evidence of ILD. Referrals can be made via Connect Care or a completed referral form with relevant documentation can be faxed to Calgary Pulmonary Central Access and Triage 403-592-4201
- To discuss a patient at our ILD MDD Rounds, please contact ruby.leachman@ahs.ca

The University of Calgary Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program provides specialized clinical training opportunities for postgraduate medical trainees (both visiting and those enrolled in accredited residency programs at the University of Calgary). We offer dedicated one- or two-year ILD fellowships, providing in-depth clinical and research training in this specialized field.

Please note that the ILD Program does not accept undergraduate medical students.

ILD Electives for University of Calgary Postgraduate Medical Trainees

Respirology Fellows
- Subspecialty trainees within the University of Calgary Division of Respiratory Medicine may rotate through the ILD Clinic as part of their clinical training. Rotations include exposure to multidisciplinary discussion (MDD), advanced diagnostics (bronchoscopy), and longitudinal ILD management
- To request an elective block, email: monika.khoury-dool@ahs.ca
Other postgraduate trainees
- Residents enrolled in accredited University of Calgary residency programs may participate in ILD clinical experiences as part of their postgraduate training. Trainees who may be interested include those in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Palliative Care, Pediatrics, Radiology, Pathology, or other subspecialties with an interest in ILD
- Rotations are arranged through the trainee’s home residency program in collaboration with the PGME office

ILD Electives for Visiting PGME Trainees

Canadian Trainees
- Postgraduate trainees enrolled in an accredited residency program in Canada who wish to obtain ILD training must apply through the University of Calgary PGME Visiting Elective pathway
- Electives are not funded, and the trainee is expected to secure appropriate funding and housing for the experience
- Further information can be found on the PGME website
International Trainees
- International trainees interested in visiting electives must apply through the PGME pathway
- Electives are not funded, and the trainee is expected to secure appropriate funding and housing for the experience

Observerships

Observerships provide non-clinical learning opportunities for trainees or licensed physicians and are arranged by the Respirology Residency program and the Alberta Health Services Medical Education Office (AHS-MEO).

ILD Clinic Observerships are limited to a maximum of 4 weeks
Please refer to the PGME office for more information

ILD Fellowship Program

We offer advanced training opportunities in ILD through a dedicated one- or two-year fellowship pathway. Additional information is available through: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/pgme/fellows

Please note:

Please ensure your documentation is complete, as outlined on the PGME website: CV, letter of intent, 3 reference letters, proof of English Language Proficiency (international applications)
Applicants are expected to secure external funding (e.g., Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or other sources)
Interested applicants should email ild.program@ahs.ca and copy the program administrative assistant Ruby Leachman (ruby.leachman@ahs.ca) and the PGME office (pgmefellowships@ucalgary.ca)

Our ILD program is actively engaged in advancing scientific knowledge and improving patient outcomes through robust research initiatives. We participate in randomized clinical trials contributing to the global understanding of ILD treatment strategies. In addition, we conduct investigator-initiated clinical trials that address key gaps in ILD care.

Our team is an enrolling site for the Canadian Registry for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CARE-PF), an initiative dedicated to characterizing and improving ILD outcomes. We also maintain a dedicated ILD biobank, enabling critical translational research to inform future therapies and diagnostic tools. These research efforts underscore our commitment to innovation and evidence-based care.

The University of Calgary ILD Program runs a monthly web-based education and support program for patients living with ILD and their caregivers. The program is run by one of our expert ILD nurses and includes seminars on various topics important to patients, such as updates on medications and research, using oxygen, living well with pulmonary fibrosis, and lung transplantation. The Support Group is provided free of charge to patients and their caregivers, including those who are not followed in our clinic. Our team members also support the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation by developing educational materials, promoting awareness of ILD, and participating in fundraising efforts.

If you are a patient or caregiver and would like more information on our Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group, please email kirk.mathision@ahs.ca

The University of Calgary's Respirology ILD Program remains dedicated to excellence in patient care and support, education, and research, working collaboratively to improve the lives of those affected by ILD.

Please direct referrals via: Connect Care (use the Ambulatory Referral Order for Asthma or COPD) or Fax completed referral form along with relevant documentation to Calgary Pulmonary Central Access and Triage 403-592-4201.