Advanced chest and lung care in Nashville

Interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons at Ascension Saint Thomas Chest and Lung Center deliver advanced care for chest and lung diseases.

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When you choose Ascension Saint Thomas Chest and Lung Center in Nashville, Tennessee, you get an experienced team dedicated to providing the highest level of care for patients with chest diseases and lung conditions. We provide the care you need from diagnosis to treatment for lung cancer and tumors, and disorders of the esophagus, trachea, diaphragm, chest wall, airway, thyroid glands and mediastinum.

Multidisciplinary chest and lung team

Our multidisciplinary care team is led by board-certified interventional pulmonologist, Dr. Otis Rickman and board-certified thoracic surgeon, Dr. John F. Lazar. In addition, the group recently added Dr. Ryan J. Hendrix, a board-eligible thoracic surgeon from Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston. We work together to diagnose and treat your condition, using advanced treatment options for a more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Our specialists are trained in innovative procedures, including minimally invasive, robotic-assisted and image-guided technology during airway procedures. These types of procedures typically use small incisions and can lead to less pain and a shorter recovery. We serve patients at two convenient Nashville locations:

Ascension Saint Thomas Medical Partners Midtown Chest and Lung Center

Ascension Saint Thomas Medical Partners West Chest and Lung Center

What to expect at Ascension Saint Thomas Chest and Lung Center

Our team of interventional pulmonology and thoracic surgery specialists are committed to enhancing every aspect of your healthcare experience. We start each appointment by listening to understand you and your health concerns, and collaborate with you to develop a personalized care plan. We also work closely with specialists in general pulmonary medicine, critical care, medical oncology, radiation oncology, gastroenterology, and otolaryngology to create comprehensive care plans. At Ascension Saint Thomas Chest and Lung Center, we're not just healthcare providers; we're partners in your journey toward better health. Discover the difference that comprehensive care, expertise, and innovation can make in your life. There are several benefits to choosing us for your care:

Your preferences and needs are at the forefront of your care. We deliver a personalized, patient-centered experience from diagnosis through treatment.
We’ll empower you with knowledge about your condition and treatment options to help you and your family make informed decisions.
We will expedite the diagnosis and treatment of the lung nodule.
Our specialists perform minimally invasive procedures with the latest technology to evaluate nodules, diagnose cancer and help manage your symptoms.

Types of conditions treated

Specialists at Ascension Saint Thomas deliver comprehensive care for many chest and lung diseases, including:

Thoracic cancers
Lung cancer

Esophageal cancer

Thymic carcinoma

Chest wall cancers

Carcinoid tumors
Tumors of the mediastinum and thymus gland
Lipoma

Neuroendocrine tumor

Pericardial cyst

Thymic carcinoma

Thymic cyst

Thymoma
Lung masses and nodules

Abnormal growths in the lungs can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Even though most lung nodules are not cancerous, thoracic surgeons specialize in diagnosing and monitoring changes in the lung nodules.
Complex airway disorders
Malignant obstructions

Endobronchial tumors

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis

Tracheal or bronchial stenosis

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly called Wegener's granulomatosis)

Tracheobronchomalacia

Relapsing polychondritis

Tracheoesophageal fistulas

Airway foreign bodies
Coughing up blood (Hemoptysis)

This condition occurs when blood or bloody mucus is coughed up from the airways or lungs.
Benign esophageal conditions
Hiatal hernia

Achalasia

GERD (chronic acid reflux)

Strictures, stenoses and diverticula

Barrett’s esophagus

Esophageal diverticulum

Trouble swallowing
Benign pulmonary conditions
COPD and emphysema

Noncancerous tumors
Chest wall injuries or malformations

Chest wall injuries often involve traumatic injury (fractures) to the ribs, breastbone and surrounding structures. Chest malformations are conditions like pectus excavatum (sunken chest) and pectus carinatum (pigeon chest).
Diseases of pleura
Liquid around the lungs (Pleural effusion)

Infections of pleural space

Pleural masses or tumors

Pneumothorax

Alveolopleural fistula (prolonged air leak)
Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating caused by overactive sweat glands, which are triggered by an oversensitive sympathetic nerve.
Disorders of the diaphragm
Acquired diaphragmatic hernia (ADH)

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs during fetal development

Diaphragmatic (noncancerous) tumor

Hiatal hernia

Paralysis of the diaphragm

Advanced surgery for chest and lung conditions

When you need more advanced chest and lung care, your doctor can connect you with a lung specialist at Ascension Saint Thomas. From lung scans to advanced thoracic surgery, your care team at Ascension Saint Thomas collaborates to deliver comprehensive care that’s right for you.

Experienced lung surgeons at Ascension Saint Thomas specialize in chest and lung procedures, including:

Comprehensive Lung Nodule Care and Support

Lung nodules are often found during routine chest X-rays or CT scans, and while most are harmless, some may need further testing. At Ascension Saint Thomas, our expert care team, including a dedicated lung nodule coordinator, is here to ensure you receive the highest level of care. From scheduling appointments to answering your questions, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call 615-222-LUNG (5864) to learn how we can help.

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Advanced surgery to fix collapsed airway

Robotic and bronchoscopic tracheoplasty is an advanced surgical procedure designed to repair a collapsed airway, also known as tracheomalacia. This procedure helps restore proper airway function when airflow has been affected by a congenital condition or damage from a previous surgery or illness. Using state-of-the-art robotic technology and a bronchoscopic approach, Ascension Saint Thomas surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to reconstruct the trachea. This procedure helps to reduce recovery time compared to traditional procedures, and may help you breathe easier and return to your normal activities quicker.

Robotic lung and lymph node tissue biopsy

Robotic navigational bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound are used together to perform lung and lymph node tissue biopsies. This procedure is used to diagnose lung diseases and other chest conditions. By combining advanced robotic technology with real-time ultrasound imaging, our care team can reach and sample even the most difficult-to-access areas of the lungs and surrounding lymph nodes. This minimally invasively approach helps reduce the risk of complication, and often results in quicker recovery times for you.

Single anesthesia robotic lung biopsy and surgery

For some patients, you may be able to have your biopsy and surgery performed at the same time. This reduces the need for multiple surgeries and recovery time for you. Your lung care team can diagnose and treat your lung condition while you are under anesthesia

Robotic minimally invasive lung resection

Robotic minimally invasive lung resection is an advanced surgical technique used to remove part of the lung affected by disease or cancer. Lung surgeons at Ascension Saint Thomas use robotic technology to perform this procedure through small incisions. This minimally invasive approach helps reduce your pain and risk of complications, and may lead to a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

Robotic lung procedures to help you breathe better

Bronchoscopic and robotic lung reduction procedures for COPD uses bronchoscopic tools and robotic-assisted surgery to remove or reduce damaged lung tissue. This minimally invasive treatment can help improve breathing and quality of life for COPD patients by helping with airflow and lung efficiency.

Treatments for lung and chest diseases

Ascension Saint Thomas lung care teams use advanced methods for treating your airway, esophagus, pleural diseases, and lung and chest conditions. Minimally invasive techniques using robotic and bronchoscopic tools may reduce your recovery time and help to improve your overall quality of life.

Clinical trials for lung disease

With a strong background in research, the Ascension Saint Thomas Chest and Lung Center actively contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field. This commitment to research keeps us at the forefront of developments in pulmonary medicine, ultimately benefiting our patients.

Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory services

Pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory services are a part of our outpatient program designed for adults who are limited in their daily activities due to breathing issues and lung disease.

Through our program at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West and Rutherford, we deliver personalized therapy plans, exercises and education that will help you breathe better.

Personalized pulmonary rehabilitation

Our program is monitored by a combination of registered nurses, exercise physiologists and respiratory therapists, and we work closely with doctors to guide your care.

Education and counseling to help you:
Create a smoke-free environment

Detect early signs of infection and actions to take

Establish and implement dietary changes or goals

Learn breathing techniques to reduce shortness of breath

Manage your stress

Pace daily activities and simplify your work tasks

Understand your breathing medications

Understand your lung disease
Exercise training that will help you:
Exercise safely and effectively

Increase your endurance

Prepare you to do a home exercise program

Strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles

Each session will include an exercise program and educational training personalized to your specific needs and lung condition. Your oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored throughout each session.

You’ll have sessions twice per week for one hour until you complete your time with us which is anywhere from 12-36 sessions. We will meet you where you are, and help you achieve your goals.

Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation

Our services help you to improve your quality of life. Although we can’t cure your lung disease, it can be of great benefit and you should notice improved breathing effort and fewer breathing problems.

Benefits include:

Better management of anxiety and depression
Decreased hospitalizations
Decreased symptoms of your disorder
Greater independence
Increased ability to exercise
Increased understanding of your condition
Reduced shortness of breath with daily activities

Insurance coverage for pulmonary rehabilitation

Most insurance providers cover outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programs and respiratory services. We will verify your benefits prior to scheduling, once an order is received from your doctor. We can help facilitate this process by calling 615-396-6179 or if you have any questions at all.