The 20 Best Lung Transplant Doctors near Chapel Hill, NC
Find the Experts and Specialists who perform Lung Transplant
Duke Cancer Center
Many years ago, I came across a quote from Mahatma Gandhi that said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”. Since that time, those words have guided my professional life from the field I chose to how I care for my patients who experience discomfort from acid reflux, hiatal hernia and paraesophageal hernia. With every individual and their families, I make sure that they appreciate my understanding of how their health issues provide them with new stresses that may leave them confused and scared. As a result, I pride myself on reassuring my patients and making sure that by the time they leave their clinic visit they know that I have their best interests at heart. Personally, my wife and I are the proud parents of three boys. Consequently, I like to spend my free time making use of their unlimited energy by running them around at all the great parks in the local area. Dr. Klapper is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 16 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Fibrosing Mediastinitis, Esophageal Perforation, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Lung Transplant, and Thymectomy. Dr. Klapper is board certified in American Board Of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic And Cardiac Surgery.
Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center
Tereza Martinu is a Pulmonary Medicine provider practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Martinu is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. She is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Bronchitis, Swyer-James Syndrome, Lung Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Duke Heart Transplant Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
Carmelo Milano is a General Surgeon and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. He has been practicing medicine for over 36 years. Dr. Milano is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Tricuspid Regurgitation, Constrictive Pericarditis, Heart Tumor, Heart Transplant, and Heart Bypass Surgery. Dr. Milano is board certified in American Board Of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic And Cardiac Surgery and American Board Of Surgery, General Surgery.
UNC Hospitals Outpatient Center At Eastowne
Leonard Lobo is an Intensive Care Medicine provider practicing medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Lobo is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Interstitial Lung Disease, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pneumonia, and Lung Transplant.
University Of North Carolina Hospitals
Jason Akulian is a Pulmonary Medicine provider practicing medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Akulian is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pleural Effusion, Lung Nodules, Lung Cancer, Endoscopy, and Gastrostomy.
Duke Cardiology Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
I am a researcher and heart transplant specialist who also serves as medical director for the heart transplant program at Duke. From the time I was a child, I have been fascinated by how the human body works, specifically by how blood travels around the body. I became especially interested in how the heart behaves when it is normal and how it adapts when it is damaged. As a transplant cardiologist, I get to combine these interests with cutting-edge medicine to help people to live longer and feel better, even when hearts fail. I enjoy getting to know patients and their loved ones as they go through their transplant journey at Duke. I am also fortunate to be part of an experienced team that has been together for over a decade taking care of heart transplant patients. Dr. Patel is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 23 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, Heart Transplant, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Patel is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Cardiovascular Disease and American Board Of Internal Med, Advanced Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology.
Duke Pulmonary Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
Hakim Azfar is a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. He has been practicing medicine for over 26 years. Dr. Azfar is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Actinomycosis, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Azfar is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Critical Care Medicine and American Board Of Internal Med, Pulmonary Disease.
Duke Pulmonary Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
I feel very privileged to be involved in the care of patients that have undergone or may be considering lung transplantation. These are people whose own lungs have failed them even though they have pursued all the options, efforts, and therapies that are currently available with modern medicine. It is an honor to be part of the journey of someone who is literally fighting to the last breath and then witness their incredible second chance at life due to the immeasurable generosity of an organ donor. Duke is an amazing place to be part of. Their multidisciplinary team values every patient and treats them as an individual. While needing a lung transplant should never be on someone’s wish list, it is my goal to always be able to be there by their side and help them navigate the uncertainties, good or bad, of the future. Dr. Robert is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Fibrosis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Cerebral Hypoxia, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Robert is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Pulmonary Disease.
Duke Cancer Center
Kamran Mahmood is a Pulmonary Medicine provider practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. He has been practicing medicine for over 31 years. Dr. Mahmood is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pleural Effusion, Lung Nodules, Pleurisy, Endoscopy, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Mahmood is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine , American Board Of Internal Med, Pulmonary Disease , and American Board Of Internal Med, Critical Care Medicine.
Duke Children's Health Center Liver Transplant Clinic
I am an abdominal transplant and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeon. My enthusiasm for transplantation stems from the significant impact a successful transplant can have on a patient's health and well-being. My goal is to help patients understand their frequently complex medical situations in a straightforward way. Dr. Barbas is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Liver Cancer, Liver Failure, Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Liver Transplant, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Barbas is board certified in American Board Of Surgery, General Surgery.
University Of North Carolina Hospitals
Benjamin Haithcock is a Thoracic Surgeon practicing medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Haithcock is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Lung Cancer, Lung Nodules, Lung Transplant, and Gastrostomy.
University Of North Carolina Hospitals
Gita Mody is a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Mody is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. She is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Lung Nodules, Esophageal Perforation, Collapsed Lung, Lung Transplant, and Gastrostomy.
Duke Heart Transplant Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
Jacob Schroder is a General Surgeon and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. He has been practicing medicine for over 25 years. Dr. Schroder is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cardiogenic Shock, Tricuspid Regurgitation, Aortic Regurgitation, Heart Transplant, and Heart Bypass Surgery. Dr. Schroder is board certified in American Board Of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic And Cardiac Surgery.
Duke Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Clinic - Clinic 2B/2C
I am a transplant surgeon specializing in kidney transplants. Kidney transplantation is unique in surgery because you’re providing a cure for a disease. It’s very rewarding to see the patients succeed after surgery; the donors also make my practice very special. We can’t do a transplant without them providing this wonderful gift. Duke has been performing kidney transplants for 50+ years – since the very beginnings of the field. In fact, the process of how we match tissues for transplants was started at Duke. We’ve done thousands of kidney transplants here, so it’s great to be a part of a program with such a rich history. I’m also the chairman of the Department of Surgery and the surgeon-in-chief for the Duke University Health System, where we perform all types of transplants. Dr. Kirk is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Malnutrition, Hepatic Ischemia, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Kidney Transplant, and Islet Cell Transplantation. Dr. Kirk is board certified in American Board Of Surgery, General Surgery.
Duke Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Clinic - Clinic 2B/2C
Lisa Mcelroy is a Pediatrics specialist and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. She has been practicing medicine for over 17 years. Dr. Mcelroy is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. She is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Liver Failure, Liver Transplant, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Mcelroy is board certified in American Board Of Surgery, General Surgery.
Duke Lung Transplant Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
"I feel very honored to be involved in the journey and care of patients that have undergone or may be considering lung transplant. Lung transplant is considered when a patient's lungs fail despite other therapies and options. Lung transplant can afford patients a better quality of life and seeing this ""second chance"" at life is absolutely incredible and fuels my passion for the field. I am humbled to be working with an amazing multidisciplinary team at Duke Health that focuses on each individual patient's needs are met for the best possible experience. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time hiking and camping with my husband and our dog Eddie.". Dr. Young is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. Her clinical expertise encompasses Subcutaneous Emphysema, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Young is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine , American Board Of Internal Med, Pulmonary Disease , and American Board Of Internal Med, Critical Care Medicine.
Duke Lung Transplant Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
Brandon Menachem is an Intensive Care Medicine specialist and a Transplant Surgeon practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. He has been practicing medicine for over 10 years. Dr. Menachem is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Hypertension and Lung Transplant. Dr. Menachem is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine , American Board Of Internal Med, Pulmonary Disease , and American Board Of Internal Med, Critical Care Medicine.
Duke Pulmonary Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
I do transplant pulmonology and pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is a disease of the blood vessels between the heart and the lungs. I work in the lung transplant clinic, which is for patients who have end-stage lung disease who don’t have any other options for therapy. It gives them a second chance. I love the idea of seeing patients before and after transplant. Before transplant, many patients are on oxygen or in wheelchairs. After the transplant, it’s amazing to see them transform into people who can run marathons or hike mountains. The process of lung transplant can be a long and difficult journey, but it is very worthwhile. It is a lot of work that pays off for the patient in the end. I am from the Midwest and came to North Carolina with my family. You can’t beat the weather, and it feels like home. Dr. Whitson is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Hypertension, Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Acute Interstitial Pneumonia, Interstitial Lung Disease, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Whitson is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine , American Board Of Internal Med, Pulmonary Disease , and American Board Of Internal Med, Critical Care Medicine.
Duke Cancer Center
Scott Shofer is a Pulmonary Medicine specialist and an Intensive Care Medicine provider practicing medicine in Durham, North Carolina. He has been practicing medicine for over 25 years. Dr. Shofer is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pleural Effusion, Lung Cancer, Lymphofollicular Hyperplasia, Endoscopy, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Shofer is board certified in American Board Of Internal Med, Internal Medicine , , American Board Of Internal Med, Critical Care Medicine , , and American Board Of Internal Med, Pulmonary Disease.
Duke Cancer Center
I care for patients with a range of illnesses, including lung and esophageal cancer, acid reflux, paraesophageal hernias, and severe lung disease requiring transplantation. I have a deep interest in minimally invasive robotic approaches to the treatment of thoracic diseases. I firmly believe that these techniques provide a safer approach that facilitates more thorough surgical care, minimizes postoperative pain, and enhances recovery for patients. When treating patients, one of my primary goals is to foster trust, ensuring a shared understanding of the illness, the treatment options (both surgical and non-surgical), and establishing realistic expectations for patients regarding their care. Dr. Patel is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in Lung Transplant. His clinical expertise encompasses Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), Lung Transplant, and Endoscopy. Dr. Patel is board certified in American Board Of Surgery, General Surgery.
Last Updated: 04/28/2026














