Cystic Fibrosis Center of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate

When it comes to cystic fibrosis, early diagnosis and intervention is essential to ensuring the best possible outcome. The Cystic Fibrosis Center of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate is designed to provide multidisciplinary care, bringing together a range of specialists to work with pediatric cystic fibrosis patients with compassionate care and expertise.

Our interdisciplinary team of medical professionals is the heart of our cystic fibrosis program, and meets to evaluate the clinical, educational, psychological and emotional needs of our young patients and their families.

Multidisciplinary care for cystic fibrosis

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About cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by a ‘recessive’ gene, meaning that both parents pass on one copy of the gene to their child. When the child receives those two copies, the gene is able to cause the disease. Typically, parents of a child with cystic fibrosis are both carriers, meaning that they have one working copy of the gene that causes cystic fibrosis, but are healthy with no signs of cystic fibrosis themselves.

Cystic fibrosis is not inevitable when both parents are carriers of the cystic fibrosis-causing recessive gene. When each parent has one working copy of a cystic fibrosis gene and is a carrier, each pregnancy carries certain risks:

• There is a 25% chance of having a child with cystic fibrosis.
• There is a 25% chance of having a child without cystic fibrosis or carrier status.
• There is a 50% chance of having a child that is a carrier.

These percentages are the same for every pregnancy, even if the couple has already had a child with cystic fibrosis.

Ongoing cystic fibrosis research

Prisma Health is currently involved in research that is utilized to evaluate and enhance the treatment of a child with cystic fibrosis and improve quality of life. We are involved in various studies and will communicate with patients as opportunities are available.

Cystic fibrosis registry

This multi-center, longitudinal follow-up study of patients with cystic fibrosis works by monitoring pulmonary function, pulmonary exacerbations and the safety of long-term treatments. Patients are tracked over their lifetime, identifying long-running trends more effectively due to the sheer volume of data that is entered and evaluated.

Find out more about how to join the patient registry, founded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Join now
 

Meet our team

Our primary team of cystic fibrosis care providers includes:

• Pediatric pulmonologists.
• Advanced practice nurses.
• Respiratory therapists.
• Dietitians.
• Social workers.

We are also able to offer additional expertise from pediatric gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, infectious disease specialists, genetic counselors, psychiatrists, counselors, ophthalmologists and physical therapists.

Steven M. Snodgrass, MD
Director, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children’s Hospital
Medical Director, Pediatric Pulmonology, Children’s Hospital
Pediatric Pulmonologist

Michael J. Fields, MD, PhD
Medical Director, Pediatric Respiratory Care, Children’s Hospital
Assistant Director, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Children’s Hospital
Pediatric Pulmonologist

Manuel E. Izquierdo, DO
Medical Director, Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, Adult
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Erin F. Kallam, DO
Pediatric Pulmonologist

Lisa A. DuBose, NP
Nurse Practitioner

Rebecca Peace, RRTE, RCP
Respiratory Therapist
Cystic Fibrosis Registry Coordinator

Kristan S. Brown, RD
Registered Dietitian

Emily Rogers, RD, LD, CNSC
Adult Dietitian

Christy Clarke, LMSW
Social Worker