Non-TB MAC and bronchiectasis

@bannef I see that no one has stepped up to offer a suggestion. Maybe you could contact them directly for information?
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/bronchiectasis/

Two physicians show up on the NTM referral list
https://ntminfo.org/united-states-of-america/
STEPHEN LAZARUS, MD
University of California San Francisco Health Center
400 Parnassus Avenue, Sixth Floor, Room A6114
San Francisco
California
CA 94143
United States
415-353-2961
http://www.ucsfhealth.org
PULMONARY & CRITICAL CARE

SHOSHANA ZHA, MD, PHD
University of California San Francisco Medical Center
400 Parnassus Avenue, Fifth Floor
San Francisco
California
CA 94143
United States
415-353-2961
415-353-2568
http://www.ucsfhealth.org

Dr Zha is my pulmonologist. I was seeing her before my MAC was confirmed. I am very happy with her and she seems to be tops in the field. I just happened to get lucky there. I had not been diagnosed with MAC until after seeing her. I do not know if she is taking new clients. It is difficult to schedule an appointment. My initial appointment took almost 6 months, but worth the wait in my case. Zoom calls have worked when she can schedule testing and I don't meed to be seen in office. Hope this helps.

I see doctors with Stanford University (comparable to UCSF). I get in person visit every 4 weeks currently, and once every 3 months when I am at my best. They have satellite offices in other cities around the bay area.

I just saw this post. I've been with Stanford and was considering switching to UCSF, if I could get in! I was diagnosed with BE/NTM at Kaiser. I left and when to Stanford by my pulmonologist didn't seem any better than Kaiser. I switched to Dr. Marmor in the Emeryville office. She is very knowledgable about BE/NTM and I have come to understand my condition much more, but I saw her only twice a year for 2 or 3 years and now she asked me to see her only once a year and see an NP once year. I'm not happy about that. Every 3 months would feel much better to me.

@sallieb I am a Kaiser patient in the Bay Area and go outside Kaiser for my BE/NTM specialty care (self pay). I started with NJH, and am now with UCSF, Dr. Zha. Dr. Zha is excellent. However she is in high demand and wait time for appointments for existing patients is now at least 7 months. I last saw her in May, and my next appointment is in January 2027 (first available). She does have an excellent NP (maybe PA, off the top of my head can’t recall her exact credential) who can see patients quickly for drug side effect issues, exacerbations, etc. But yeah, if what you are looking for is more frequent appointments, every three months, that may not be realistic with Dr. Zha’s schedule. But of course check directly with her office. They may triage based on need. I just wanted to caution you to fully discuss what your looking for in terms of appointment availability with Zha’s office, really any of the specialty BE/NTM providers, as there is high demand for their appointments.

@leisa Thank you for your input.

@sueinmn Thank you, Sue. I gather you do not know of a really good pulmonologist or two located in the South Bay area (san jose/los Gatos/Saratoga or even santa clara) to serve as a LOCAL pulmonologist when I get a BE flare, etc. and need to be seen by the doctor to be evaluated vs. going to an E.R. Is any list maintained to identify local pulmonologists who are very knowledgeable in treating BEs? Ideal if a local pulmonologist (in the san Jose or Los Gatos area could be identified) since driving to UCSF is too far when I am having a BE. Is there any other source I could connect with to see if they have a recommendation?
Again, I thank you however, for your courtesy in responding.

Yes, UCSF is not ideal if you need to be seen for something that comes up right away. Ive gone to the ER 2x because of this. I do not have a local pulmonologist here in Pleasanton, and even from here its a half day to go to city for an appointment. Dr Zha and PA (Anny) are great, but busy people. I'm not sure if you can start with seeing Anny without first getting in with Dr Zha. My appointments are always 6 months out and sometimes that is even for Zoom appointments. Since I also have MAC I am working with this scenario.

@leisa Appreciate your input. I think having a local pulmonologist who could become aware of your status could be helpful in case of an emergency so that if you needed hospitalization (for example), the local doctor could step in. Perhaps UCSF recommended that and if so, did UCSF make a suggestion of which doctor(s) in your area they would recommend.