Our Alliance

Mission of the ILD Community Network

To unite, empower, and support individuals and organizations in advancing awareness, research, and care for those impacted by Interstitial Lung Disease.

Connect to ILD experts in your region

Partner with trusted ILD experts in your region to unlock your potential and achieve your goals.

ILD EXPERTS

Naomi Amudala

CRNP, MSN

Naomi Amudala, CRNP, MSN, is a highly experienced nurse practitioner specializing in rheumatology at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2009 with a Master’s in Nursing, Naomi joined the division of Rheumatology at Boston University. Her primary focus was evaluating and managing patients with vasculitis as well as acting as co-investigator in multiple clinical trials in vasculitis. In 2018 she moved to Philadelphia and started working at Penn Medicine Rheumatology. The majority of her time continues to be dedicated to the clinical care of patients with vasculitis and other rare diseases as well as engaging in research. In 2022 Naomi joined the board of directors for RhAPP, which is a national organization for APPs and pharmacists in Rheumatology.

Christine Anderson

NP-C

Christine Anderson, NP-C, is a nurse practitioner specializing in pulmonology at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina. She is originally from Canada and graduated from The University of Western Ontario with a Bachelors in Science in Nursing in London, Ontario back in 1999. After graduation, she moved to Durham, NC to start a nursing career at Duke University Health System. The majority of her nursing career has been in cardiology from Cardiac Step-Down to Cardiac Intensive Care Unit to the Cardiac Cath Lab. In 2005, Christine obtained a Masters in Science in Nursing with a Leadership focus and became the nurse manager of the Electrophysiology Lab at Duke Hospital. After downsizing the department, she moved over to the Duke Clinical Research Institute as a nurse clinician working on cardiology clinical trials. She truly missed patient care and went back to school and graduated with a post-master’s certificate as an Adult-Gerontologic Nurse Practitioner in 2015. Christine worked at Duke Cardiology of Lumberton for one year before coming back to main campus of Duke University Hospital and starting a new career in pulmonary medicine. Now she is the nurse practitioner for the Duke Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic where she still practices. For her last hurrah, Christine went back to school for a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree that was awarded in 2019. Her graduate project was “Using a Smart Phrase to Improve Documentation of Supportive Care Measures in Patients with IPF”. This paper was published in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners and was presented at conferences such as the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and Chest. Christine loves working with ILD patients and have learned so much over the past 9 years working in our clinic. She have been speaking about IPF and progressive ILD for past several years and have so much fun sharing my knowledge with Advanced Care Providers and providers alike.

Lisa Asfahani

PA-C

Lisa Asfahani DHSc, PA-C is a certified and state licensed Physician Assistant practicing in Rheumatology at Southland Arthritis in Temecula, California. Lisa graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, her Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Sciences from Loma Linda University in 2011 and her Doctorate degree in Health Sciences from A.T. Still University of Health Sciences in 2022. Lisa is experienced in both Rheumatology as well as in General Medicine and involved in numerous clinical studies in the field of Rheumatology. She is a member of several professional societies including the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP), California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA), and RhAPP. Lisa’s goal in patient care is to treat each patient/provider interaction as an opportunity serve, to teach, and to heal. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family whenever she can.

Heather Bachert

NP

Heather D. Bachert, NP, is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and specializes in interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF) at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She earned her advanced practice training at Wayne State University and the University of Saskatchewan and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In addition to her clinical role, Heather leads patient support groups for individuals living with ILD and PF, providing education, guidance, and a sense of community. Known for her compassionate and thorough approach, she is highly regarded by patients for her ability to explain complex conditions clearly and provide attentive follow-up care. She is currently accepting new patients and also offers telehealth services.

Shannon Benesh

DNP, NP-C

Shannon Benesh, DNP, RN-BC, AGNP-C, is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Interstitial Lung Disease at Columbia University Irving Medical Center within the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care. She earned her BSN from James Madison University and her MSN from Adelphi University, later completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Stony Brook University with a project focused on early advance care planning in ILD. Shannon has clinical experience as an RN at leading academic hospitals across various specialties and is certified as a Progressive Care Certified Nurse and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She is an active member of AANP, has contributed to published ILD research, and participates in national advisory boards dedicated to improving ILD care. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their dog and enjoys traveling, reading, running, and the occasional cocktail.

Kelley Brant

NP

Kelley Brant, NP, is a nurse practitioner specializing in pulmonology at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah. With over 17 years of diverse clinical experience, Kelley Brant is a dedicated healthcare professional with a passion for advancing pulmonary care. A graduate of San Diego State University with a BSN, Kelley began her career as a registered nurse in high-acuity settings, including the emergency room, ICU, and urgent care, where she honed her ability to excel in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments. Kelley earned her MSN from the University of South Alabama and is double board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner. For the past 2.5 years, Kelley has served as a nurse practitioner specializing in pulmonary medicine, with a particular focus in interstitial lung disease (ILD). As an ILD program coordinator, Kelley has gained experience in managing complex patient populations and remains actively involved in general pulmonary care, including COPD, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Kelley also has a strong interest in research, supporting her facility’s participation in several randomized controlled trials to advance evidence-based practice. Beyond clinical work, Kelley is committed to fostering connections within the healthcare community. As a member of AANP, CHEST, and Utah Nurse Practitioners, she emphasizes professional development and collaboration to improve patient outcomes and advance the field of pulmonary care.

Michele Cera

MSN, FNP-BC

April Conlon

NP-C

Kelsey Cramer

MSN, AGACNP-BC, DNP

Kelsey Cramer, MSN, AGACNP-BC, DNP, is a board-certified adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner specializing in pulmonary medicine at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. She focuses on interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and sarcoidosis. Kelsey earned her MSN and DNP from Rush University and is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care, education, and support for those managing complex lung conditions.

Kristy Delaney

APRN

Kristy Delaney, APRN, is a pulmonary nurse practitioner specializing in interstitial lung disease at The University of Kansas Health System. She has over 21 years of experience in medicine, beginning her career as a bedside RN in the Medical ICU before becoming an APRN. For the past 9 years, she has focused her practice on ILD. In addition to her clinical expertise, Kristy holds a degree in Education and is passionate about empowering patients, caregivers, and fellow healthcare professionals through education and support in the management of ILD.

Rebekah Edwards

DNP, FNP-C

Rebekah Edwards, DNP, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner specializing in pulmonology at Norton Thoracic Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University and is experienced in pulmonology, cardiology, and thoracic surgery. She also received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University and has practiced in pulmonology ever since.

Mary Elliott

PA-C, PhD

Kathryn Fenwick

CRNP, DNP

Heather Finlayson

PA-C

Heather Finlayson, MS, PA-C, is a certified Physician Assistant specializing in rheumatology for Summit Rheumatology in Littleton, Colorado. She previously worked at National Jewish Health Rheumatology and started at Colorado Arthritis Associates in Rheumatology in 2012. She has also taught rheumatology courses at Rocky Vista University PA program since 2022. Heather is a member of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) (division of American College of Rheumatology-ACR), and the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR). She is currently the AWIR Denver Local Chapter Co-Lead, a Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP) faculty member and has served on several ACR/ARP committees.

Cori Fratelli

MSN, FNP-C

Cori Fratelli, MSN, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner specializing in pulmonology at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado. She has a unique background in both basic science and clinical research, which has informed her interest in clinical medicine. Her past basic science research includes asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Her past clinical research includes COPD and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Presently, she is interested in how research translates into personalized medicine. Her clinical focus is mainly on ILD, but she also sees general pulmonary medicine patients, as needed.

Kyle George

PA-C

Kyle George, PA-C, is a physician assistant with over 16 years of experience in rheumatology at Saint Luke's Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. He specializes in managing autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Kyle collaborates with a multidisciplinary team, providing personalized and comprehensive care to his patients.

Shannon Ghizzoni

PA-C

Shannon Ghizzoni, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in rheumatology at the Columbus Arthritis Center in Columbus, Ohio. With a passion for providing comprehensive care to patients with rheumatic conditions, Shannon focuses on patient education, disease management, and improving quality of life. She is dedicated to staying current with the latest advancements in rheumatology and fostering collaborative relationships with patients and healthcare teams to deliver personalized, evidence-based care.

Audrey Gibson

PA-C, MsPAS

Audrey Gibson, MSPAS, PA-C is a board-certified rheumatology physician assistant at the Arthritis Center of North Georgia in Gainesville, Georgia. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from Lipscomb University and earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from South University in Savannah, Georgia. Audrey is a certified densitometrist with a clinical focus on rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, spondyloarthropathies, inflammatory myopathies, and osteoporosis. She is an active member of the Society of Physician Assistants in Rheumatology, the Georgia Society of Rheumatology, the American College of Rheumatology, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Audrey also serves as a faculty advisor for the Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP).

Jessica Glennie

MSN, APRN

Jessica Glennie, MSN, APRN, is a certified nurse practitioner, specializing in pulmonology, who has worked in outpatient pulmonary medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio for 8 years. She manages patients in the interstitial lung disease program, including care of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, autoimmune related interstitial lung disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, occupational lung diseases, and drug-induced interstitial lung disease. She is co-director of the Cleveland Clinic’s ILD multidisciplinary conference.

Jeanette Hart

PA-C

Jeannette Hart, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant with over 13 years of experience specializing in rheumatology at Kadlec Clinic Rheumatology in Richland, Washington. She earned her Master of Clinical Health Services (MCHS) through the University of Washington’s MEDEX Physician Assistant Program in 2012. She began her career in private practice and successfully navigated transitions through both a hospital acquisition and a merger with a large healthcare system—all while refining her clinical expertise and leading efforts to improve patient access, operational efficiency, and best practices in rheumatology care. Committed to advancing healthcare delivery, Jeannette pursued a second master’s degree in Health Administration (MHA), further strengthening her leadership in clinical operations. She is now co-founder and co-owner of PNW Arthritis and Rheumatology, a private rheumatology practice opening October 1, 2025. Jeannette is passionate about education and mentorship, regularly precepting PA students and family medicine residents in her community. She is also the Pacific Northwest Director for RhAPP (Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers) and has proudly served on its faculty since its inception.

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Assessment of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Sleep Quality in Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease: A Single-Center Experience

January 2026

CONCLUSION: Contrary to common belief, SDB is not rare in chILD, and PSG alongside sleep questionnaires should be used in follow-up to improve screening and detection.

Contemporary 0.55 T MRI to visualize interstitial lung disease - An exploratory study

January 2026

CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary 0.55 T MRI showed no statistically significant difference in overall ILD extent compared to HRCT but tended to overestimate GGO and underestimate reticulation. Despite these limitations, 0.55 T MRI represents a promising candidate for future development as a radiation-free alternative for gross disease burden assessment in ILD, warranting further technical refinement before routine clinical use.

Qingzao Jiufei Decoction in the Regulation of TGF-β/Smad Signaling in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

January 2026

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Qingzao Jiufei Decoction (QJD) on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and its regulatory mechanism involving the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Rats were divided into six groups: control, model, pifenidone (PFD), QJD Low Dose (QJD-L), QJD Medium Dose (QJD-M), and QJD High Dose (QJD-H). IPF was induced using bleomycin. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the lung tissue were analyzed. Levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),...

Monocyte-mediated mechanisms in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: opportunities for early intervention

January 2026

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease marked by irreversible deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and subsequent disruption of pulmonary architecture. Although current pharmacological interventions, such as Pirfenidone and Nintedanib, are available, they merely decelerate the progression of the disease. Notably, the monocyte count in peripheral blood is strongly correlated with the prognosis and mortality associated with IPF. An elevated monocyte...

Loss of ATF3 Exacerbates Pulmonary Fibrosis via Enhanced Neutrophil Recruitment and Profibrotic Macrophage Polarization

January 2026

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by irreversible scarring, excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and progressive loss of pulmonary function. Although innate immune cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, contribute to disease progression, upstream transcriptional mechanisms regulating their profibrotiac activity remain unclear. Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is a stress-inducible transcriptional repressor that...

Connecting sugar and fibrosis: Diabetes as a hidden player in rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease

January 2026

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that extends beyond joint inflammation, affecting pulmonary and metabolic pathways. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of its most serious extra-articular complications, while type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) frequently coexists with RA and may exacerbate inflammatory and fibrotic processes. This editorial discusses the study by Sutton et al, the largest population-based analysis to date exploring the link between T2DM and ILD...

A Rare Case of Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Superimposed by Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: Case Report

January 2026

COVID-19 pneumonia is a strong radiological mimicker of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), making their differentiation difficult. PAP is a rare diffuse lung disease caused by the accumulation of surfactant lipoproteins within the alveoli, resulting in impaired gas exchange and respiratory failure, with an estimated prevalence of 3.7-6.2 cases per million. This report presents a rare case of PAP complicated by COVID-19 pneumonia in a 42-year-old man who presented with chills, fatigue, dyspnea...

Prokaryotic organelle mitochondria drive tumorigenesis: "the original sin"

January 2026

Mitochondria preserve bacterial traits because of their endosymbiotic origin, and their alterations in cancer cells reflect these prokaryotic-like traits. One such trait is the Warburg effect, wherein tumor cells rely primarily on aerobic glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation. Cancer cells also exhibit metabolic abnormalities, such as an uncoupled electron transport chain and a truncated tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, potentially generating additional energy. Intermediates from the...

A case of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis without radiological pleural involvement

January 2026

CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates an atypical presentation of PPFE, with initial intra-alveolar localisation preceding overt pleural involvement. Clinicians and radiologists should be aware of secondary PPFE in ILD patients with radiological upper lobe intra-alveolar confluent reticulonodular abnormalities, even in the absence of dense pleural consolidations.

Process and Cost Evaluation of a Successful Palliative Telecare Team Intervention in Heart and Lung Disease

January 2026

CONCLUSION: In a successful nurse and social work telecare team intervention, there was high participation in nurse and social worker sessions, individualized medical and behavioral interventions, and connecting of participants to existing medical and community resources. The intervention produced clinically meaningful changes in multiple quality of life outcomes for a relatively low cost.

Global, regional, and national burden of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis from 1990 to 2023, and projections to 2050: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

January 2026

CONCLUSIONS: The global burden of ILD and pulmonary sarcoidosis has significantly increased, marked by persistent disparities across regions and demographics, with projections indicating that population aging will intensify this pressure, especially in high-SDI and rapidly developing areas. Addressing this challenge requires urgent, hierarchical strategies focusing on high-risk groups and strengthening multi-disciplinary disease management to mitigate future impact.

Prevalence and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ILD: Post-pandemic study in South Italy

January 2026

This retrospective study assessed the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) at two tertiary centers in Southern Italy between January 2022 and December 2023. The cohort included 282 ILD patients (mean age 69.6 years; 54.9% male), with common diagnoses such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (33.3%) and connective tissue disease-associated ILD (18.7%). SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 130 patients (46%), mostly with mild or asymptomatic cases. Pneumonia...

Diagnosis of Dual c- and p-ANCA Vasculitis Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report

January 2026

BACKGROUND Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are associated with a group of small-vessel vasculitides collectively known as ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), which can lead to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and multisystem involvement. In addition to other autoimmune diseases, AAV has been increasingly reported following SARS-CoV-2 infection. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 70-year-old woman with a past medical history of atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, breast...

A Case of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma(DLBCL)Who Died of Acute Exacerbation of Interstitial Pneumonia after Treatment with R-mini-CHP in Combination with Polatuzumab Vedotin (Pola-R-mini-CHP)

January 2026

84-year-old male was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.He had Stage Ⅳ, performance status was 2, and 'high risk' according to the International Prognostic Index.He was started on Pola-R-mini-CHP.The day after completion of the 4 cycle, he developed shortness of breath, and we diagnosed he as having exacerbation of interstitial lung disease by CT.We started steroid pulse therapy.However, his condition failed to improve, and he died.An autopsy was performed.The pathological diagnosis...

Engraftment of wild-type alveolar type II epithelial cells in surfactant protein C deficient mice

January 2026

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) secondary to pulmonary surfactant deficiency is a devastating chronic lung disease in children. Clinical presentation includes mild to severe respiratory failure and fibrosis. There is no specific treatment, except lung transplantation, which is hampered by a severe shortage of donor organs, especially for young patients. Repair of lungs with chILD represents a longstanding therapeutic challenge but cell therapy is a promising strategy. As surfactant...

"Beyond Corticosteroids: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Novel Therapies for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis"

January 2026

CONCLUSION: Due to heterogeneity and limited high-quality evidence, definitive conclusions about novel therapies in HP remain elusive. However, rituximab and MMF showed promising results. Long-term randomized trials with standardized endpoints are needed to guide therapeutic decisions.

The incidence of interstitial lung disease in patients with systemic sclerosis: rate, risk factors and prognostic implications in a EUSTAR cohort analysis (CP 133)

January 2026

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SSc should be considered for regular screening following a negative baseline HRCT, in particular when carrying high-risk features for new ILD onset, given its incidence and prognostic implications.

Prognosis of patients with bronchiectasis receiving long-term oxygen therapy

January 2026

CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of bronchiectasis in patients was extremely poor, worse than that of COPD and comparable to that of ILD.

Progressive interstitial lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis and abatacept: data from a multicenter cohort of 526 patients

January 2026

CONCLUSIONS: Despite ABA therapy, progressive ILD occurred in nearly one-quarter of RA patients.ABA showed good tolerability and maintained pulmonary and rheumatologic stability in most cases. However, prior treatments and joint disease activity may help to predict the risk of ILD progression.

Survival outcomes and adverse prognostic factors of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a 40-year experience from a single tertiary center in Thailand

January 2026

The survival of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in high-income countries is favorable, with rates of over 95%. However, there are few studies from resource-limited countries. Thus, this study aimed to examine survival risk factors and outcomes of LCH patients in Thailand. A retrospective review was conducted on LCH patients aged < 15 years at Songklanagarind Hospital over 40-year period. Cox regression analysis was utilized to identify risk factors. The overall (OS) and event-free survival...