“Ask Dr. Tom” Supplies No-nonsense Answers to Lung Health Questions

For Immediate Release

DALLAS, TX (May 31, 2005) – What do you want to know about your lung health? Ask Dr. Tom and he’ll give you a short, easy-to-understand answer or advice to dealing with your lung problems.

Launched in September 2004, Ask Dr. Tom is a feature of the American Association for Respiratory Care’s website for patients, YourLungHealth.org.

Dr. Tom is really Thomas Petty, MD, one of the nation’s foremost pulmonologists who has had decades of experience and has led the way in the care and treatment of oxygen-dependent patients. He personally answers the questions you pose on YourLungHealth.org, and his mainstay column on that website is creating a haven for patients and their family members who have questions about their lung health.

Here’s what some of the writers have been saying:

“Thank you so much for making this site available. It’s very helpful to read the questions and answers.”
Tammy

“Thank you for all of research and studies that benefit all of us.”
James

“Thank you for your time. I am new to this site – pretty informative.”
Dell

Others have received some very personal and helpful information...

“However, when you gave me the information that the article originally appeared in Annals of Internal Medicine, it took me less than 10 minutes to find it on and download it as a free PDF file. So you needn’t send me the book or the fax, but please accept my sincere thanks for sending just what I needed. . . I applaud the work you’re doing.”
Ward

“He is going through a great depression now. My father has always loved birds, for Christmas this year I wanted to get him some doves, but I am concerned that they may get him sick. Could having birds in his house harm him in anyway?”
Veronica

A. Dear Veronica,
Birds may cause lung infections. . . Does he like fish? They are safe and can be very entertaining. Dr. Tom

And formed a personal bond...

“You are free to stop off when you are in the area and fish in my trout pond...I have some rainbow 7 yrs old that are huge and mega many that fight good that are rainbow and cutbow -- If you bring your cook, there is a charcoal grill at the pond.”
Charlotte

If you’ve not yet done so, take the time to check out Ask Dr. Tom if you have questions or concerns about your lung health and function.

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For More Information:

www.aarc.org
www.YourLungHealth.org
www.YourLungHealth.org/dr_tom

 

More about Thomas Petty, MD

Dr. Petty graduated from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1958 and completed his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, his residency at the University of Michigan, and a fellowship in pulmonary medicine at the University of Colorado (CU). He joined the CU faculty in 1962, eventually becoming head of the division of pulmonary medicine, a position he held between 1971 and 1983. He continues to serve the university today as professor of medicine and anesthesiology, and also holds academic positions at the University of Kansas and Rush–Presbyterian–St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. He is a faculty consultant at HealthONE and a consultant to the Denver Veterans Administration Hospital.

In the mid-1970s, he spearheaded the Nocturnal Oxygen Therapy Trials, which set the scientific basis for oxygen as it is used today in patients with oxygen deficits due to COPD and related disorders.

Dr. Petty currently serves on the editorial boards of Postgraduate Medicine and Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. He was senior editor of CHEST from 1970 to 1975, associate editor of the American Review of Respiratory Diseases from 1983 to 1990, and associate editor of RESPIRATORY CARE from 1970 to 1990. He has authored or co–authored more than 130 original investigations and is credited with developing one of the nation’s first pulmonary rehab programs.

A member of 20 professional organizations, Dr. Petty has won numerous awards over the years, including the University of Colorado’s Silver and Gold Award for Excellence, the American Association for Respiratory Care’s Jimmy A. Young Medal, and the American Thoracic Society’s Distinguished Achievement Award. He is a Master Fellow (MCCP) of the American College of Chest Physicians and a Master of the ACP (MACP).

In the 1990s, Dr. Petty founded the National Lung Health Education Program to promote the early detection and treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease. Working closely with the AARC and the nation’s respiratory therapists, he continues to advocate for respiratory patients both here and abroad.

Dr. Petty has authored Adventures of an Oxy-Phile, a book recounting the stories and science of supplemental oxygen, especially for “for and by patients who have learned to adapt to the need for supplemented oxygen.”

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Contact: Sherry Milligan
milligan@aarc.org
American Association For Respiratory Care
9425 N MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100, Irving, TX 75063
972-406-4657, 927-243-2272