Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Clinic

The University of Calgary's Respirology Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program is a leading multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to comprehensive clinical care, education, and research. Our program is structured around four core pillars: 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 MDT) 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.

Prospective patients: please request a referral to our program from your Respirologist, Family Physician, or other specialist physician. 

Education is a cornerstone of our program. We provide valuable training opportunities for medical learners at various stages of their careers. Residents regularly participate in our ILD clinics to gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and managing ILD. Visiting respirology fellows are welcomed into our program to further enhance their expertise. Additionally, we offer dedicated one- or two-year ILD fellowships, providing in-depth clinical and research training in this specialized field. We offer short training opportunities for physicians and nurses wishing to gain experience managing patients with ILD. Our program also supports international collaboration through visiting observerships, fostering knowledge exchange with institutions worldwide.

To request an elective block (Residents and Respirology Fellows) email: monika.khoury-dool@ahs.ca.

For more information on the advanced ILD Fellowship program contact Dr. Kerri Johannson (kerri.johannson@ahs.ca) or administrative assistant Rita Wall (wallr@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, 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 active patients 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. 

The University of Calgary's Respirology ILD Program remains dedicated to excellence in patient care, 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.