Contributions of Keck School of Medicine to Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine

The Keck School of Medicine of USC has made substantial contributions to the fields of pulmonary critical care, and sleep medicine through pioneering research, exceptional clinical care, and dedicated education and community outreach.

In pulmonary medicine, Keck has been at the forefront of understanding how environmental exposures affect respiratory health. One of its most notable accomplishments is the Children’s Health Study, a landmark long-term investigation that revealed how air pollution impairs lung development in children. This study has significantly influenced national air quality standards and public health policy. In addition, Keck researchers have made advances in the diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by participating in national clinical trials and investigating disease biomarkers.

In the realm of critical care medicine, Keck physicians lead high-acuity services at Keck Hospital and the LAC+USC Medical Center. Their work in managing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, mechanical ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely recognized. They have also advanced best practices in ICU care, including early mobility and multidisciplinary teamwork. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Keck faculty were instrumental in guiding the clinical response, participating in trials for antiviral therapies and pioneering the use of high-flow oxygen and prone positioning in patients with severe respiratory failure.

In sleep medicine, the USC Sleep Disorders Center provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that includes pulmonologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, and ENT specialists. Keck researchers have also explored the relationship between sleep disorders and chronic conditions such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, as well as the role of sleep in immune function and recovery from critical illness.

Keck’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Program trains the next generation of specialists in advanced procedures including bronchoscopy, bedside ultrasound, and sleep study interpretation, while offering diverse clinical experiences in both academic and public hospital settings. The school also demonstrates a strong commitment to community health, with faculty and fellows regularly participating in outreach clinics, mobile health services, and public health initiatives targeting respiratory disease and smoking cessation. Through these integrated efforts, the Keck School of Medicine continues to be a leader in advancing the science and practice of pulmonary critical care, and sleep medicine.