Pulmonology – Guam Regional Medical City

Pulmonology Center

About Our Pulmonology Services

At GRMC, we are committed to providing advanced, patient-centered care for a wide range of respiratory conditions. Our Pulmonology Center offers comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services to help patients breathe easier and improve their quality of life.

Our expert team consists of specialists in infectious diseases, cardiology, oncology, and critical care medicine, treating conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural diseases, and pulmonary hypertension. We also address occupational respiratory diseases, chronic cough, and pulmonary infections, ensuring patients receive specialized care tailored to their needs.

Advanced Diagnostics & Treatments

We utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including pulmonary function testing, cardio-pulmonary exercise tests, and bronchoscopy. Our interventional pulmonology services include procedures such as endobronchial biopsies, thoracentesis, and chest tube placements to aid in the diagnosis and management of complex lung conditions.

Our pulmonary rehabilitation program helps patients with chronic respiratory conditions improve lung function and overall well-being. We also offer lung cancer screenings with low-dose CT scans and smoking cessation programs through our Patient Education Department to promote preventive care and early detection.

Breathe easier with expert pulmonology care at GRMC. Your lung health is our priority.

Conditions treated:

Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pneumonia and other Pulmonary infection
Bronchiectasis
Lung mass / Lung nodules
Lung Cancer
Occupational respiratory diseases
Pleural diseases
Pulmonary Hypertension
Interstitial lung disease / Pulmonary Fibrosis
Chronic Cough and work-related respiratory issues
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Emphysema

Diagnostic tests and treatments available:

BronchoscopyA procedure during which a physician examines the upper and lower airways by looking through a fiber-optic camera called a bronchoscope. The bronchoscope is also used to perform biopsies, therapeutic aspirations and to retrieve foreign bodies lodged in an airway.
Pulmonary Function Testing This involves 3 separate tests used to evaluate lung health. They are a Spirometry Test, a Lung Volume Test and a Single Breath Diffusion Test. These tests measure how well the lungs take-in and exhale air, as well as how effective oxygen is transferred to the rest of the body.
Cardio-Pulmonary exercise test
6-minute walk test, methacholine challengeIn this procedure, sterile water is flushed through the distal airway using a bronchoscope. The flushed fluid is then examined for the presence of infectious microorganisms or abnormal cells.
In-dwelling pleural catheter placement
Thoracentesis
Asthma biologics treatment
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Lung Cancer ScreeningLow dose CT scans are available to check for lung cancer. Smoking cessation programs are available through our Patient Education Department.
Endobronchial or Transbronchial Biopsy using a bronchoscope, small pieces of tissue can be removed from a lung for examination. Lymph nodes surrounding the airway can also be aspirated with the use of a small needle. These procedures help in diagnosing lung mass and aid in the evaluation of the stages of lung cancer.
Thoracostomy or Chest Tube PlacementDuring a Thoracentesis a thin plastic tube is inserted into the space between the lungs and the chest wall in order to collect fluid outside the lungs which is then examined for disease. The tube can also be used to insert medication to decrease the likelihood of fluid accumulation. This procedure is known as pleurodesis.

About Our Pulmonology Services

Pulmonology Center

Our Doctors

Jee Ah “Christina” Rhee, M.D.

Muralidhar Kondapaneni, M.B.; B.S., Ph.D., M.B.A.

Michael Agustin, M.D.