The 20 Best Lung Transplant Doctors in Virginia, US

Schar Chair, Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Medical Director, Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Program, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular Professor of Medical Education, University of Virginia, Inova CampusSteven D. Nathan, MD, FCCP, is the medical director of Inova’s Advanced Lung Disease Program and Lung Transplant Program. He is also a professor of medicine at the University of Virginia.Dr. Nathan is board certified in pulmonary diseases, critical care medicine and internal medicine. The author of more than 500 publications, Dr. Nathan is internationally recognized for his expertise in advanced lung diseases. He is co-editor of two books on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that provide pulmonologists and other healthcare workers with an up-to-date review of the background and advances in the field: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Guide to Clinical Management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He also has written original research manuscripts, abstracts, reviews and book chapters. Dr. Nathan is a reviewer for multiple journals and is on the editorial board for the journal, Thorax. He has served on multiple committees, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory boards as well as steering committees for clinical trials in IPF and pulmonary hypertension, where he has also served as chair. Dr. Nathan is a member of several professional medical associations, including the American Thoracic Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. He has delivered talks and been chairperson of numerous sessions at many national and international conferences. Dr. Nathan is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Lung Transplant, and Prostatectomy.

Shambhu Aryal, MD, FCCP, serves as Medical Director for the Inova Lung Transplant Program and Inova Sarcoidosis Center. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonology and critical care, with expertise in lung transplantation, sarcoidosis, interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary hypertension and bronchiectasis. Dr. Aryal joined Inova in 2017 with several years of clinical experience, immediately following an assistant professorship at Duke University Hospital. Dr. Aryal says that helping patients get a second chance at life is the most fulfilling aspect of transplant pulmonology. His expertise in advanced lung disease management and transplantation equips him to provide the best possible medical care to patients with severe lung diseases. Additionally, he has served as a clinical investigator for many clinical trials in his areas of expertise. Originally from Nepal, Dr. Aryal resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and two boys. He enjoys time with his family, watching his sons' soccer and basketball games, and traveling. Dr. Aryal is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant.

Oksana A. Shlobin, MD, FCCP, serves as Medical Director for the Pulmonary Hypertension Program and Director of Outreach and Education for the Inova Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program at Inova Fairfax Hospital. She is also an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia. Dr. Shlobin is board certified in pulmonary and critical care medicine. Dr. Shlobin has been actively involved in clinical research both during her fellowship and her tenure at Inova. She is co-author of multiple publications, including original research manuscripts, abstracts and book chapters. Her research interests include pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung diseases. Blog Posts What is Pulmonary Hypertension? Learn the Facts to Breathe Easy (November 2018) Pulmonary Hypertension is Serious. Learn to Spot the Signs (May 2017). Dr. Shlobin is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Hypertension, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Lung Transplant, and Endoscopy.

Sangeeta Bhorade is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Bhorade is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Lung Transplant, and Endoscopy.

Whitney Brown, MD, is director of Clinical Operations and medical director of the Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Program at Inova Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Dr. Brown has been with the Inova Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program since 2010. She is board certified in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine and internal medicine Dr. Brown has a special interest in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), lung transplant outcomes and the care of adult cystic fibrosis patients. She enjoys conducting outcomes-based research and has co-authored two original research articles on IPF, one on prognosis in IPF and the other on the impact of hospitalization on IPF. Dr. Brown is a member of the American Thoracic Society and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. Dr. Brown is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Cystic Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant.

Vikramjit Khangoora is an Internal Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Khangoora is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant.

Dr. Alan Nyquist is the Associate Program Director of the Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis Program at the Inova Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Dr. Nyquist was born and raised in Upstate New York. He attended McGill University in Montreal as an undergraduate and returned to New York to complete medical school at Albany Medical College. Next, Dr. Nyquist completed a combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency at Georgetown University. After becoming dually certified in those specialties, Dr. Nyquist pursued more training at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, in adult pulmonary and critical care. Finally, he returned to the DMV area for subspecialty training in Inova's Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant fellowship. After completing the fellowship in 2022, he stayed as a faculty member in the program. Dr. Nyquist's career interests include cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and advanced lung diseases, including interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, lung transplantation, and patients transitioning from pediatric to adult providers. He believes in partnering with patients to develop a unique treatment plan that meets their life goals. Outside the office, Dr. Nyquist enjoys spending time outdoors, including running, biking and exploring nature. He also enjoys traveling to new cities and watching sporting events. He is an avid Miami Heat fan. Dr. Nyquist is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Lung Metastases, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Lung Transplant.

Christopher Thomas is an Internal Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Thomas is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Hypertension, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Lung Transplant, and Endoscopy.

John Joerns is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Joerns is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant.

Shahzad Ahmad is an Intensive Care Medicine specialist and a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Ahmad is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Lung Transplant, and Gastrostomy.

Eric Charles is an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Charles is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Obesity, Peripheral Artery Disease, Lung Transplant, and Heart Bypass Surgery.

Anju Singhal is a Pulmonary Medicine provider in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Singhal has been practicing medicine for over 17 years and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Interstitial Lung Disease, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Lung Metastases, Pneumonia, and Lung Transplant.

Dr. Silpa Kilaru is a specialty care physician board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine. She joined Inova in 2025 and has been practicing since 2007. Prior to joining Inova, Dr. Kilaru was the medical director of the Lung Transplant Program at University Hospitals of Cleveland in Ohio. Before this, she spent 10 years at the University of Pittsburgh as a transplant pulmonologist and director of fellow education for lung transplant. Dr. Kilaru has a strong interest in lung transplants, ALD and bronchoscopy, particularly for patients after lung transplant. She enjoys working with lung transplant patients and feels that it is a privilege and honor to be a part of their lung transplant journey. Dr. Kilaru’s patient care goal is to always put the patient first and ensure they have care that goes above and beyond, so all their concerns are addressed. Dr. Kilaru is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Pulmonary Fibrosis, Emphysema, Bullae, Lung Metastases, and Lung Transplant.

Dr. Zein Kattih is a board-certified pulmonologist specializing in advanced lung disease and lung transplantation. She earned her medical degree from the University of South Florida before completing her internal medicine residency and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine in New York. Dr. Kattih further advanced her training by completing a fellowship in advanced lung disease and lung transplantation at Inova, where she now proudly joins the ALD/MCCS faculty. Her clinical interests include interstitial lung disease (ILD), with a particular focus on the overlap between ILD and pulmonary hypertension (ILD-PH). She brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to care and a commitment to clinical excellence. In addition to her medical career, Dr. Kattih brings a rich personal background to her work. Originally from Syria, she is fluent in Arabic and brings cultural awareness to her care. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling – aiming to visit a new country each year – as well as running, hiking, Pilates, soccer and any other active pursuits. Dr. Kattih is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Interstitial Lung Disease, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Aspergillosis, Thrombectomy, and Lung Transplant.

Abhimanyu Chandel is an Internal Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Chandel has been practicing medicine for over 10 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Interstitial Lung Disease, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Lung Transplant.

Jared Wilkinson is an Internal Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Falls Church, Virginia. Dr. Wilkinson is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Cerebral Hypoxia, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Pulmonary Hypertension, Interstitial Lung Disease, and Lung Transplant.

Dr. Karen Sayad is a specialty care physician board certified in internal medicine, critical care medicine, and pulmonary disease. She joined Inova in 2025 and has been practicing since 2016. Prior to joining Inova, Dr. Sayad served as a pulmonary and critical care physician at Indiana University Health and Southern Indiana Physicians in Bloomington, IN. She also held several leadership and academic roles, including adjunct clinical assistant professor of medicine, critical care medical student director, and pulmonary rehabilitation director. Dr. Sayad is fluent in French and Arabic. Dr. Sayad is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Lung Metastases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema, Bullae, and Lung Transplant.

Dr. Michael Weyant is a specialty care physician board certified in thoracic surgery and general surgery. He joined Inova Health System as the system-wide director of the thoracic surgery program in 2021. He has been practicing since 1996. Prior to joining Inova, Dr. Weyant was a thoracic surgeon and professor of surgery at the University of Colorado where he practiced for more than 15 years. Dr. Weyant has a significant interest in robotic minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Dr. Weyant’s areas of expertise include: robotic minimally invasive lung cancer and thoracic surgery, surgery for lung cancer and esophageal cancers, chest wall lesions, esophogeal motility disorders, surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, surgical management of diaphragm paralysis, airway disorders including tracheobronchial malacia and tracheal stenosis, surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis, mediastinal tumor surgery, and minimally invasive thoracic surgery. Dr. Weyant is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Lung Adenocarcinoma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Lung Transplant, and Advanced Bronchoscopy.

Debra Boyer is a primary care provider, practicing in Family Medicine in Hampton, Virginia. Dr. Boyer is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Gastric Dysmotility, Chronic Cough, Tracheitis, Sinusitis, and Lung Transplant.

Katherine Vandervest is an Intensive Care Medicine provider in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Dr. Vandervest is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her top areas of expertise are Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, Cerebral Hypoxia, Pneumonia, and Lung Transplant.