The pulmonary, allergy, critical care and sleep disorders specialists in this division provide expert care for all forms of respiratory disorders and lung disease. Our clinical teams work with patients to offer the comprehensive treatment necessary for the best possible outcomes. Many of our physicians are involved in innovative research and can often provide access to clinical trials with new treatments not yet widely available or offer participation in research related to quality-of-life improvements.
Finally, at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, it is vital we partner with the community and our patients to train the next generation of physicians. Training physicians is one of our highest missions and many of our clinics will have trainees involved in patient care. As many of these trainees and young physicians move on to other medical institutions, our patients play a key role in them learning their craft and helping to save and enhance the lives of patients everywhere.
General Pulmonary, Allergy & Sleep Medicine
General pulmonologists, allergists and sleep physicians evaluate patients with all forms of lung afflictions from a simple cough to serious shortness of breath caused by advanced disease. Physicians, collaborating nurse practitioners and fellow-level trainees (those trainees who are eligible to be internists but have chosen to engage in advanced training in a subspecialty) conduct diagnostic testing, perform procedures when needed and develop modern treatment plans. Our physicians are experts in managing lung diseases according to the latest guidelines and with the best evidence available. Clinics are available at both the Banner – University Medical Center (UMC) South and Tucson campuses.
We offer advanced diagnostics, novel treatments, education and the opportunity to participate in research protocols and registries where you might help us find new therapies and cures for many of these health conditions.
Severe Asthma and Allergy Clinic
The Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology clinic at Banner – UMC offers comprehensive evaluation and care of adult allergic and immunologic diseases. This includes allergic rhinitis, asthma, sinusitis, urticaria (hives), angioedema (swelling), anaphylaxis (allergic reaction), immunodeficiency, food allergy, eczema, contact dermatitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and drug allergies. We are a recruitment site for national clinical trials studying the treatment of lung and allergic diseases. We also offer an interdisciplinary coordinated approach to nasal and sinus problems in the combined Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)/Allergy clinic. Allergists, pulmonologists and ENT physicians work together to provide the best treatment plans for those with complex allergic and asthmatic problems. Our internationally known asthma research physicians—including Monica Kraft, MD, and Tara Carr, MD (pictured above)—provide state-of-the-art care to improve quality of life and relieve sinus and asthma symptoms.
COPD & Emphysema Clinic
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious health problem that occurs mostly in patients who smoke. Patients with COPD often require antibiotics, inhaler therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation… and may need lung transplantation. At Banner – UMC, our team of UA faculty physicians provide all of these services at one of the top medical facilities in the state and one recognized by U.S. News & World Report as hosting a pulmonary services program among the top 50 nationally.
Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic
Otherwise known as high blood pressure in the lungs, pulmonary hypertension (PH) can cause severe shortness of breath. It can occur in isolation (idiopathic) or can be associated with many other lung disorders including heart failure, emphysema, lung fibrosis, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. We have a University of Arizona-Banner – UMC team dedicated solely to the care of patients with PH.
Interstitial Lung Diseases (Pulmonary Fibrosis) Clinic
Many diseases can cause pulmonary fibrosis or scarring of the lungs. Commonly referred to as interstitial lung diseases (ILD), these disorders cause cough, shortness of breath, decreased quality of life and possibly respiratory failure. The pulmonary division at the UA College of Medicine has developed a specialized program for care of patients with many forms of ILD. Pulmonologists work with rheumatologists and other specialists to diagnosis and treat these complicated diseases. All clinic physicians maintain special interest and expertise in interstitial and immunologic disorders of the lung. This program offers education, novel treatments when available, lung transplantation and research protocols for eligible patients.
Patients with the following lung diseases, requiring diagnosis or second opinion, may benefit from our expertise: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or related diseases (NSIP, UIP); Sarcoidosis; Berylliosis; Lupus; Rheumatoid arthritis; Wegener’s granulomatosis; Scleroderma; Sjogrens syndrome; Eosinophilic lung disease (CEP and AEP); Bronchiolitis obliterans; Hypersensitivity pneumonitis; Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis; and LAM.
Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
The Pulmonary division houses an accredited adult cystic fibrosis clinic. This program is accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As such we participate in clinical trials and the foundation’s national registry. We provide specialized, team-based care for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Lung Transplantation Clinic
For patients with severe and end-stage lung diseases (pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, COPD), we offer a state of the art lung transplantation program with experienced surgeons and transplant pulmonologists. Pictured here is Steve Knoper, MD, UA assistant professor of medicine and co-medical director for Lung Transplantation at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson.
Sleep Disorders Clinic
Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in the U.S. population and can lead to cardiovascular disease, strokes, motor vehicle accidents, poor quality of life and even death. The Sleep Medicine program aims to provide world-class care to patients with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea, hypoventilation syndromes, insomnia, periodic leg movement disorder, restless legs, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and parasomnias (such as sleep walking and REM behavior disorder). A state-of-the-art sleep laboratory and continuity clinics are geared to diagnose and treat patients with sleep disorders in a comfortable setting. The center participates in cutting-edge research funded by the National Institutes of Health and industry whose novel diagnostics and therapeutic options are made available for our patients.
Interventional Pulmonology
Lung Cancer, Lung Spots, and Pulmonary Diagnostic Procedures
The field of interventional pulmonology has exploded over the past decade. Lung doctors are now able to diagnose infections and lung cancers by using scopes instead of surgery. The Banner – University Medical Center employs lung doctors with the advanced skill set necessary to perform these procedures. Patients with large chest lymph nodes, lung spots or nodules, pleural disease, or fluid around the lung may benefit from these procedures. Patients can be seen in the general pulmonary clinics or the Multidisciplinary Cancer Center clinics. Pictured here (on left) is James Knepler, MD, UA associate professor and Interverntional Pulmonolgy director at Banner – UMC Tucson.
Critical Care in the ICU
In our intensive care units (ICUs), we offer state-of-the-art care for the sickest patients in the community. These services include advanced ventilator techniques, research opportunities, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—or extracorporeal life support (ECLS)—for those patients suffering from reversible cardiac and pulmonary failure.
Additional Programs & Services
You can find additional information and detail about programs and services we offer at these links to the Banner – UMC website:
- Asthma
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
- Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology)
- Infectious Disease
- Intensive Care
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Care
- Lung Disorders & Diseases
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Allergy, Immunology & Pulmonology
- Petersen HIV Clinic
- Pulmonary Function & Exercise Physiology Lab
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Pulmonary Wellness
- Sleep Medicine & Sleep Apnea Surgery
- Trauma
- Valley Fever
Where We Practice
Not including health-care partner organizations, affiliated community practices and providers, and mobile clinic services offered by our physicians, these are the major facilities where our physicians practice and teach:
Banner – University Medical Center Tucson 
1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724
(520) 694-4000
Banner – University Medical Center South
2800 E. Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85714
(520) 874-2000
University of Arizona Cancer Center – North Campus 
3838 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 694-2873 (CURE)
See a flyer of Banner – UMC locations & services in Tucson
Search all Banner – University Medicine locations & services
How to Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please call (520) 694-8888. You can also request an appointment online here. Or, if you already are a patient with us, you can log in to the MyBanner Patient Portal to schedule or request an appointment.
Learn more at Banner – University Medical Center
How to Make a Referral
If you’re a health-care provider and want to make a patient referral with one of our physicians, please contact Physician Resources at (520) 694-5868 or toll-free 1-800-524-5928. You can also visit the Information for Physicians webpage and click on "Physician Referral."
Learn more at Banner – University Medical Center
Research
If you are interested in participating in advanced research at the UA Health Sciences Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center (formerly the Arizona Respiratory Center)—an internationally renowned organization of physicians, scientists and scholars seeking to better understand and eradicate respiratory diseases since the center's creation in 1971—call (520) 626-9543, email lungresearch@email.arizona.edu or visit lungresearch.arizona.edu to learn more.