Milwaukee VA leads the way in advanced pulmonary care with Interventional Pulmonary Program

U.S. Army Veteran Joe Desjardin has spent many years living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD. People with COPD often experience shortness of breath, wheezing,

chest tightness and lack of energy, among other symptoms.

“I can’t do as much as I used to,” he said. “I get worn out, tired.”

Desjardin, a resident of Sturgeon Bay, began receiving his medical care through VA when the Milo C. Huempfner VA Outpatient Clinic opened in Green Bay in 2013. He is a retired Vietnam

Veteran and the primary caregiver for his wife, who has multiple sclerosis. COPD has made it harder for him to provide the care she needs.

“She used to fall, and I used to pick her up and get pretty winded,” he said.

Through the Milwaukee VA’s interventional pulmonary program, he learned about options available to improve his quality of life.

On March 11, Desjardin became the first Veteran at the Milwaukee VA, and the first within the VA Great Lakes Health Care System, to receive bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) therapy

at a VA facility in the catchment area. This is a novel treatment that helps patients with COPD and shortness of breath even after maximal medical therapy. By placing one-way valves using a

bronchoscope, the damaged portions of the lungs are isolated, allowing healthier parts of the lungs to expand and function more efficiently.

This new offering was introduced by Dr. Uzair Ghori, who brought interventional pulmonary program to the Milwaukee VA in 2022. The Milwaukee VA is the only medical center in the VA Great

Lakes Health Care System to offer comprehensive advanced pulmonary procedures which include the following in addition to BLVR:

Most advanced pulmonary procedures at the Milwaukee VA are performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day if no complications arise.

Strong collaboration from the endoscopy suite, respiratory therapy, anesthesia, operating room, and Intensive Care Unit teams has greatly contributed to the success of the advanced pulmonary

procedures program. Michelle Musha, a registered nurse who is the procedure coordinator, serves as the orchestra conductor, skillfully synchronizing the efforts of various healthcare teams

participating in delivery of care.

“I think the speed of service and the various types of services we are providing our Veterans, especially at the Milwaukee VA, is exceptional,” Ghori said. “We keep most of it in-house, and

I think we do personalized health care.”

Desjardin, now back home caring for his wife, expressed his appreciation for the doctors, procedure team and nurses who tended to him before, during, and after his procedure.