Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Diseases
The physicians of Chest Medicine Associates are specially trained to diagnose and treat diseases of the lung. We evaluate patients for symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. We also evaluate patients for abnormal chest x-rays and CT scans, including lung nodules, lung masses, and interstitial lung disease. We treat diseases such as asthma, COPD, emphysema, pleural effusions, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension, and sleep apnea.
Our staff of trained professionals at Chest Medicine will administer a complete evaluation of your symptoms and risk factors in order to provide a complete treatment plan.
Center for Interstitial Lung Disease at CMA
Center Medical Director: Meagan W. Moore, MD, PhD
Dedicated and passionate about Interstitial Lung Disease, Dr. Moore did her Residency and Pulmonary training at Yale University and performed years of basic and translational research in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) under the mentorship of Dr. Erica Herzog, an internationally renowned ILD specialist. Since graduating fellowship in 2015, she has dedicated her career to the care of patients with ILD. Dr. Moore joined CMA in 2017 specifically to help create a specialized ILD program in Maine and Northern New England. Her mission is making sure the people of Maine living with ILD are provided with the most comprehensive and up to date clinical care available.
Associate Director: Jennifer M. Palminteri, MD
A native of Maine, Dr. Palminteri returned from Vermont and did her residency and fellowship at Maine Medical Center. She joined CMA in 2015 and started the ILD program. She is particularly dedicated to improving the physical therapy and psychosocial support systems available for our patients with ILD as she is familiar with the population of Maine and the challenges for care in a large rural state.
Sarcoidosis Specialist: David M. Cohen, MD
Dr. Cohen is the newest addition to the Center for Interstitial Lung Disease at CMA. He completed medical school and residency at Brown University prior to completing a Pulmonary & Critical Care fellowship at Boston University. At BU, he had close mentorship with two of the world’s experts in sarcoidosis, Drs. Jeffrey Berman and Praveen Govender, which gave him a special interest in and perspective on sarcoidosis. He is also the procedural specialist of our ILD group and performs bronchoscopic procedures that assist in the diagnosis of our most challenging cases.
Patient Information and Support Groups for ILD:
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
The Maine Pulmonary Hypertension Program at CMA is devoted to providing thorough evaluation, treatment, and follow-up for patients with primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension, a disease characterized by an abnormal elevation of the blood pressure within the pulmonary blood vessels, has many effective treatments, but no cure. Patients generally have exercise intolerance, which may be associated with progressive shortness of breath, palpitations, lightheaded spells, chest discomfort, or ankle swelling.
The Maine Pulmonary Hypertension Program at CMA serves patients with pulmonary hypertension from throughout Northern New England. Patients with suspected or known pulmonary hypertension undergo comprehensive evaluation and management led by one of our experienced pulmonary physicians at the Chest Medicine Associates’ office in South Portland. Evaluation may also include additional consultations with cardiology, rheumatology, endocrinology, and hepatology as necessary. Testing may include echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal), ventilation-perfusion lung scanning, pulmonary function testing, sleep and cardiopulmonary exercise testing, pulmonary angiography, chest computed tomography scanning, and right heart catheterization for direct hemodynamic/vasodilator assessment.
Pulmonary hypertension, a disease characterized by an abnormal elevation of the blood pressure within the pulmonary blood vessels, has many effective treatments, but no cure. Patients generally have exercise intolerance, which may be associated with progressive shortness of breath, palpitations, lightheaded spells, chest discomfort, or ankle swelling.
Pulmonary hypertension patients may be seen and evaluated on an inpatient basis at Maine Medical Center in Portland or as an outpatient at the Chest Medicine Associates’ office in South Portland. The Pulmonary Hypertension Program serves patients with pulmonary hypertension from throughout Northern New England.
A complete evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension is required to provide the optimal treatment to each individual. Diagnostic services offered include experienced pulmonary, cardiology, rheumatology, endocrinology and hepatology consultation as necessary, echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal), ventilation-perfusion lung scanning, pulmonary function testing, sleep and cardiopulmonary exercise testing, pulmonary angiography, chest computed tomography scanning, and direct hemodynamic/vasodilator assessments.
Pulmonary Function Testing
Chest Medicine Associates offers a wide variety of Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs). PFTs are used by your physician to diagnose lung disease, determine if you need supplemental oxygen, and to monitor and adjust the medications you are receiving as treatment for chronic lung disease.
All of the pulmonary function tests are performed at Chest Medicine Associates in our pulmonary function lab. They are all performed by certified respiratory therapists or medical assistants under the direct supervision of a physician.
Pulmonary Function Lab
Appointments for CMA’s Pulmonary Function Lab can be made by calling 207-828-1122.
Chest Medicine Associates also participates in several clinical research trials for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).