Interstitial Lung Disease Program

UTHealth Houston Interstitial Lung Disease Program

What is Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)?

Interstitial lung disease (also known as ILD) is a wide-ranging category of over 100 respiratory problems characterized by inflammation deep in the lungs.  “Interstitial” means the spaces between the air sacs of the lungs. Usually, it is the spaces between the microscopic air sacs that become inflamed and diseased. Much of this process leads to permanent scarring of the lungs without proper treatment.

The terms and definitions of different types of ILD can be confusing to patients. Commonly, doctors refer to these lung diseases by their acronyms or letter abbreviations.  Here are some examples of ILD: nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP), usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is also sometimes placed in the ILD category.

Mission of UTHealth Houston Interstitial Lung Disease Program

We break down our mission statement into four key focus areas: clinical care, community, education, and research.

Clinical Care:  To provide a compassionate, comprehensive, state of the art, and evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD)

Community: To disseminate awareness and educate the public about the spectrum of interstitial lung disease (ILD)

Education: To train future specialist physicians in the diagnosis and empathetic treatment of patient living with interstitial lung disease (ILD)

Research: To advance the science and contribute to the knowledge in interstitial lung disease (ILD) through cooperative and multidisciplinary involvement in discovering novel ideas on the causes, mechanisms of disease development, and disease progression, all while exploring new avenues of treatment

What to Expect On Your Visit

Once you or your loved one visit with us, you should expect a thorough and detailed approach to patient care as you tell your story. Our doctors will ask deep interview questions about many aspects of your life to uncover what may contribute to the disease process. We will also conduct comprehensive tests and extensive evaluations, which may involve multidisciplinary cooperation (meaning discussion and collaboration with other physicians and experts) to help us know and understand what’s exactly going on inside your lungs. Expect a thoughtful and compassionate approach to your treatment, and be assured that we will be your partner in fighting this disease.

Together with our partners at Memorial Hermann Hospital – Texas Medical Center (TMC), our Lung Transplant Program provides the potential for a final cure: a comprehensive evaluation and assessment if your particular interstitial lung disease (ILD) progresses beyond the point that medicines do not work anymore.  In this case, a team of medical experts will then determine if a lung transplant is the best course of treatment for you or your loved one.

For more information on our Sarcoidosis Program, click here.

Meet Our Physicians

The physicians who are leading the UTHealth Houston Interstitial Lung Disease Program at UT Physicians are Dr. Rodeo Abrencillo, Dr. Ali Khawaja, and Dr. Jennifer Sunny.

Dr. Abrencillo is Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Divisions of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Divisions at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and is currently serving as the Medical Director of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Clinical Care Center in Houston (external link).  His specific area of interest is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and connective tissue disease related-interstitial lung disease.

Dr. Khawaja is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is also the Associate Medical Director of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Clinical Care Center in Houston. His goal is to offer both expertise and support in navigating the challenges of ILD, ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care. He understands that ILD can be a daunting diagnosis for which he is committed to guide his patients every step of the way – whether it is through advanced therapies, innovative treatments or simply through providing the reassurance the patients need.

Dr. Sunny is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She is involved in the care of patients through the Interstitial Lung Disease Center. She also practices as a critical care physician at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, providing care for critically ill patients in the intensive care unit. Known for her patient-centered approach and commitment to academic medicine, Dr. Sunny actively collaborates with our multidisciplinary team to advance ILD care for her patients. Dr. Sunny is committed to clinical excellence, collaborative care, and advancing the field of pulmonary medicine through research and education.

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Location, Day and Times

UT Professional Building
6410 Fannin Street, Suite 600
Houston, TX 77030
Ph: 832-325-7222; Fax: 713-512-2247

Dr. Abrencillo – Tuesday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Dr. Khawaja – Thursday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Dr. Sunny – Every 2nd Friday of the month 8:00 am to 11:30 am, and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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Patient Resources on Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

• Read about Life with Pulmonary Fibrosis (external link) and Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
• Join or learn about Support Groups for Pulmonary Fibrosis (external link):

Patient Resources on Lung Transplantation

• Learn more about Lung Transplantation at Memorial Hermann-TMC (external link)