Interventional Pulmonary Medicine / Alberta Thoracic Oncology Program
The Interventional Pulmonary Medicine Program was started in 2001 by Dr. Alain Tremblay. There are currently seven respirologists who are members of the group – they play a key role in the Alberta Thoracic Oncology Program (ATOP) and the Dyspnea Clinic (Malignant Pleural Effusions).
ATOP supports responsive diagnosis, staging ad investigation of suspected lung malignancies. To accomplish this a team of radiologists, respirologists, thoracic surgeons, nurse practitioners and clerks work together to evaluate this patient group. Referrals are received and reviewed by a nurse practitioner who initiates the intake of information and preliminary evaluation of patients who are then booked into the clinic to be seen by our interdisciplinary team.
An optimal diagnosis and staging plan for our patients is determined as well as preliminary therapeutic plans discussed including involvement in clinical trials, in collaboration with the Thoracic Surgery and Lung Tumour Group oncologists.
Patients have full access to all lung cancer diagnostic and staging modalities including standard radiology, bronchoscopy with transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph nodes (with endobronchial ultrasound), CT guided transthoracic needle aspiration, mediastinoscopy, PET scanning, fine needle aspiration of superficial lymph nodes, thoracentesis, closed needle pleural biopsy and thoracoscopy.
As well, expedited pre-op evaluation of pulmonary function with full pulmonary physiologic testing, differential VQ scanning and cardiopulmonary exercise testing are readily available.
Referrals
Please direct referrals via: Connect Care (use the Ambulatory Referral Order for AHS South AB Thoracic ONC CAT) or Fax completed referral form along with relevant documentation (recent CT scan report and brief medical history) to Central Access Referral 403-944-8848.
More Information
For emergency referrals (SVC syndrome, Thoracic mass with dyspnea at rest, Neurological symptoms, Hemoptysis > 100 ml in 24 hours) send patient to the Emergency Department or call RAAPID South 403-944-4486 or 1-800-661-1700.
Contact Us
P: 403-210-9270
F: 403-944-8848
Respiratory Medicine Specialists
Dr. Alex Chee
MD, FRCPC
Originally from Malaysia, Dr. Chee moved to Calgary at a young age. He completed his medical degree and internal medicine at Queen's University, respirology at the University of British Columbia and Interventional Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Calgary. He has worked for the University of Calgary at Foothills Medical Center and South Health Campus as well as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, USA. He returned to Calgary in 2020 and is currently the Respiratory Medicine Site lead for South Health Campus. Dr. Chee has an interest in medical innovation and has co-founded a startup company focusing on digital biomedical devices.
Dr. Elaine Dumoulin
MD, FRCPC
Dr. Dumoulin was born in Montreal, Quebec. She completed her medical degree at University of Montreal and studied internal medicine and respirology at University of Sherbrooke. She trained in interventional pulmonary medicine in 2010 in Calgary before going back to Sherbrooke to work and build an interventional pulmonary medicine practice. She moved to Calgary in 2014 and joined the Interventional Pulmonary Medicine team. She likes the mountains, running marathons and has a new passion for sailing. Carpe Diem.
Dr. Chris Hergott
MD, FRCPC
Dr. Hergott is originally from Kitchener, Ontario. He completed medical school at the University of Toronto and Internal Medicine and Respirology training at Western University. He obtained his advanced clinical fellowship in Interventional Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Calgary. Dr. Hergott joined the faculty in the Division of Respirology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan after his Interventional fellowship. He has returned to Calgary and is currently the Interventional Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship program director. He is also Chair of the Canadian Assembly for Chest Procedures at the Canadian Thoracic Society. He loves the mountains and enjoys photography.
Dr. Sarah Hosseini
MD, FRCPC
Dr. Hosseini is from Montreal where she graduated from McGill University medical school. She completed residencies in Internal Medicine and Respirology at the University of Ottawa, before moving further west for her Interventional Pulmonary Medicine fellowship in Calgary. She then completed a Master degree in Health Professions Educations through the University of Ottawa and returned to Calgary in 2023. She is currently the Interventional Pulmonary Medicine fellowship program director, and practices based out of Rockyview General Hospital and Foothills Medical Center. She enjoys biking, hiking and skiing in the mountains
Dr. Paul MacEachern
MD, FRCPC
Dr. MacEachern grew up in the local area. He completed a degree in exercise physiology from the University of Calgary and competed in triathlons before entering medical school. He attended medical school at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. He then moved back to Calgary for his internal medicine, respirology and interventional pulmonary medicine training. He has also spent some time learning advanced bronchoscopic techniques in Vancouver, BC, and Heidelberg, Germany. In addition to Interventional Pulmonary Medicine he has an interest in managing patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
Dr. Alain Tremblay
MD, FRCPC
Dr. Tremblay is originally from Montreal, Quebec and completed medical school and internal medicine residency at McGill University. Followed a Pulmonary and Critical Care fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and additional Interventional Bronchoscopy training at the Cleveland Clinic and in Lille, France. He returned to Canada in 2001 to develop a new Interventional Pulmonary Medicine Centre in Calgary as well to snowboard in the Canadian Rockies.
Dr. Erik Vakil
MD, FRCPC, MPH
Dr. Vakil is from Vancouver, Canada. He completed undergraduate training at Dalhousie University and Medical School at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He then completed post-graduate training in the United States, first completing residency in Internal Medicine at Washington Hospital Center in D.C., then fellowship in Pulmonary Diseases & Critical Care at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, and then sub-specialty fellowship in Interventional Pulmonology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. His research interests are focused in thoracic oncology, particularly medical thoracoscopy in cancer patients, the optimal diagnostic and staging pathways for patients with suspected lung cancer, and quality improvement in multi-disciplinary lung cancer care.
Nurse Practitioner Specialists
Melanie Burke
Melanie Burke is a Nurse Practitioner with the Alberta Thoracic Oncology Program. Melanie earned a Master of Nursing degree along with a Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Diploma from the University of Calgary in 2012. Melanie has garnered expertise in hematology, oncology, and geriatrics throughout her career. Outside of her professional pursuits, Melanie finds fulfillment in family life. She shares a bustling household with her husband, Rob, and their three young children. Together, they embrace the wonders of the great outdoors, frequently embarking on adventures and indulging in various outdoor activities.
Catherine Doetzel
RN, BN, MN, NP
Catherine is an Adult Nurse Practitioner with the Alberta Thoracic Oncology Program, receiving her Masters of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner credentials through the University of Calgary in 2015. Her Masters of Nursing focus was advanced nursing care in the emergency department, with a published manuscript in 2016. She previously worked as a Registered Nurse in cardiology and emergency departments both overseas and within Calgary.
Laura Hampton
RN, BN, NP
Laura grew up in the local area of Alberta. Her Undergraduate and Graduate training as a nurse practitioner was completed at the University of Calgary. Her career has been revolved around cancer care. Laura joined the Alberta Thoracic Oncology Program in 2012.