Update on the Adult Program of the Emory CF Center

From left to right: Welela Berhanu, RN, Arlene Stecenko, MD, Viranuj Sueblinvong, MD, Jessica Enders, RD, Lysandra Brown, MSW, Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD, Lindy Wolfenden, MD. Photo taken at NACFC 2008.

In 2005, under the guidance of Dr. Arlene Stecenko, a CF physician with extensive experience in the care of adults with CF, a separate adult program was created at the Emory CF Center. Dr. Stecenko was joined in 2006 by Dr. Linda Wolfenden, who became the Director of the Adult Program. The adult program was initially run with significant support from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as well as Emory Children’s Center pediatric staff and physicians. In 2007 the Emory CF Center was visited by members of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Center Committee, the organization which accredits all CF Care Centers
in North America. That group, which consists of experts who set the national CF standards of care, made a strong recommendation that the adult program become independent of the pediatric program and rely on staff and physician providers trained in adult care. Given the solid rationale behind these recommendations and our desire to ensure that we deliver the highest quality care to our patients, the CF center staff carefully reviewed these recommendations and met with administrative and medical leaders at Emory University, Emory Healthcare, and CHOA to come up with a plan.

We are pleased that Emory Healthcare has given the adult CF program
an unprecedented level of support to meet and exceed the recommendations of the CF Foundation. With its full backing and the support of the Emory University Department of Medicine, we are now prepared to advance the care we offer to adult CF patients to a higher level. Our goal is to provide our patients with exceptional care. To that end, we are pleased to announce a number of changes to our adult CF program. Some of these are already apparent; some will become apparent in the coming months:

1. The adult CF program is now fully integrated within the Department of Medicine at Emory. Adult CF clinics take place on four days weekly at The Emory Clinic, 1365 Clifton Road, Building A, 4th floor, Atlanta, GA 30324. The Emory Clinic is about a half-mile down the road from the Emory CF Center. The phone number for appointments is 404-778-3261.

2. When required, all adult patients followed by the Emory program will be hospitalized on a specific ward (6G) at Emory University Hospital.

2. The adult CF program has expanded its staff to include many new faces, and well as keeping familiar ones. Our core physicians include
Lindy Wolfenden, MD--Adult CF Program Director
Viranuj Sueblinvong, MD--Adult CF Program Associate Director
Arlene Stecenko, MD-Chief, Division of Pediatric Pulmonary, Allergy, CF and Sleep
Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD-Director of Adult CF Endocrinology

In addition to these physicians, others with expertise in adult specialties such as gastroenterology, surgery, and otolaryngology will be involved in the care of our patients. Hospitalized patients will also meet other members of the Emory Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Division of Hospital Medicine.

Other staff includes
Welela Berhanu, RN-Clinical Nurse Coordinator
Lysandra Brown, MSW-Adult CF Social Worker
Jessica Enders, RD-Adult CF Registered Dietician
Laura-Beth Straight, MA-Research Coordinator
Deneek Hubbard-Green, NP- Nurse Practioner (starting December, 2008)

In addition, we are currently recruiting a dedicated adult CF Respiratory Therapist.

Clearly, there are a number of changes that have occurred in the adult CF program. We recognize that any type of change, even “good change” (such as marriage or becoming a parent), can be stressful and challenging at times. However, we are confident that these changes are “good changes” and that they will enable us at Emory to provide our patients with superior care. We look forward to working with you to provide you the exceptional care you deserve.

Michael S. Schechter, MD, MPH
Emory CF Center Director