Connect
National Jewish Health Appt
BE since 2012. Positive for MAC December 2025 from sputum culture. Referred to NJH, and appointments are currently scheduled for May 2026. A local pulmonary specialist performed a bronchoscopy in January 2026. The bronchoscopy culture was NEG for MAC, but I was positive for Pseudomonas.
NJH said that I can continue with my appointment if I want to. My local doctor said they felt confident to manage the BE.
I am a thin, 59-year-old female (more susceptible to MAC) and run a horse farm, where I cut 14 acres of grass, clean horse stalls, etc.
I can't decide whether to keep my appointment at NJH. I would really like to educate myself on how to keep myself healthy, etc.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
Connect
@uperjohn1 I used to be a patient of AZ Pulm Specialist but due to the Pulmonologist I was seeing, I switched to Pulmonary Associates. I do see an ID doctor there, but she put me on the Big 3 when I didn't need them. My doctor is Dr. Da wei Liao and he is VERY GOOD! He diagnosed me with asthma years ago that not even NJH could get an appropriate diagnosis. And when he diagnosed me for NTM in November 2024, he told me I needed to start nebulizing with 7% hypertonic saline immediately and he had the supplies to my house in days. By the time I got into NJH, my M. Abscessus counts were so low, they told me I did not need treatment (at this time). The reason I know Dr Liao was right on my atypical asthma, is that I respond to Montelukast and now rarely need inhalants. He has other patients with NTMs and many with BE. I have suggested that he get Pulmonary Associates approved as one of the BE Clinics. He is located on Bell, near the 51. Pulmonary Associates have a number of Clinics in the Phoenix metro area.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionClarification. My ID doctor is at Pulm Specialist in Scottsdale and my Pulmonary Dr. Liao is at Pulm. Associates on Bell Rd.
@kathyjjb
Apparently Pulm, Associates (Dr. Liao) does not take Medicare Advantage Ins,
@uperjohn1 I have Medicare Advantage and he takes my insurance.
@kathyjjb It is a PPO though. I have Humana Medicare Advantage PPO.
Maybe even better is what was suggested in a previous post, the St. Joseph's Clinic. If that's the clinic that was listed in the list of certified BE Clinics. NJH has certified at least 50 Clinics-last I checked, but by now probably close to 80. There was only one Certified Clinic in Phoenix. I will see if I can find the post and repost the list.
@kathyjjb
Tanks, that's great news. Not sure where my wife got her info.
@uperjohn1 Attached is a list of Certified Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Centers. This may be old. It does list St. Joseph's Norton Clinic as an Associated Care Center but thought it'e since been "certified". The Clinic is located at 500 W. Thomas Rd. Phoenix 85013.
Bronchiectasis_NTM_Care_Center_Network_List (Bronchiectasis_NTM_Care_Center_Network_List.pdf)
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction