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Transylvania Community Hospital Launches Pulmonary, Sleep Medicine Program
BREVARD, N.C., Sept. 6, 2007—Residents of Transylvania County and surrounding areas now have more access to critical medical services thanks to a new program at Transylvania Community Hospital.
The Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Program provides state-of-the-art diagnosis and care to patients with pulmonary disease and sleep disorders. Examples of pulmonary diseases that are managed include asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, sarcoidosis, typical and atypical pneumonias and pulmonary complications of respiratory muscle weakness from neuromuscular diseases. This program is also dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of all aspects of sleep pathology including breathing related sleep disorders, periodic limb movements in sleep, narcolepsy and insomnia. Mechanical (CPAP, BiPAP, ventilator), surgical, dental and pharmacologic therapies are available.
Patients are evaluated and treated as inpatients or in a new outpatient center conveniently located on the hospital campus in Brevard. The outpatient center features two modern sleep rooms—complete with all the amenities of a home or hotel—to provide a quiet, safe, relaxing environment to conduct sleep studies.
“Providing pulmonary care and sleep medicine has been traditionally underserved in this area of Western North Carolina,” said Dr. James Kelling, the new medical director of the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Program at Transylvania Community Hospital. “This new facility as well as the hospital should serve patients well for the diagnosis and treatment in both specialties.”
“We are fortunate to have someone with the expertise and experience that Dr. Kelling brings to lead our new program,” said Bob Bednarek, president and CEO of Transylvania Community Hospital. “We truly believe he will help us to continue our commitment to the hospital’s primary mission—to serve the healthcare needs of our community.”
Dr. Kelling is a board certified pulmonologist and sleep physician. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1977. He has been in medical practice for 25 years in pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine in Canton, Ohio, where he was the medical director for respiratory therapy, the sleep lab and hyperbaric medicine at Mercy Medical Center.
Dr. Kelling is engaged to be married to Dr. Carmen Mileti, a hospitalist physician at Transylvania Community Hospital.
Sleep disorders affect millions of people and can lead to serious consequences—family and social difficulties, accidents and even illness. Sleep apnea—the most common sleep disorder—is likely to occur in men, those who are obese, and the middle-aged, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, including children.
Pulmonary diseases affect the lungs and the ability to breath. They can range from bronchitis and emphysema to asthma and pneumonia.
The Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Program welcomes new patients and referrals from primary care providers. It is located at 159 Medical Park Drive, Suite B. For more information or to make an appointment, call 877-2887.
About Transylvania Community Hospital
Transylvania Community Hospital is a nationally ranked 5-Star Hospital and a leading provider of quality healthcare services in Transylvania and surrounding counties. Based in Brevard, N.C., it is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1933 and is the largest employer in Transylvania County.