University of Southern California's Contributions to Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine

The University of Southern California (USC), particularly through its Keck School of Medicine, has played a pivotal role in advancing pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Keck is nationally recognized for its comprehensive approach to patient care, education, and research. Clinically, USC provides care for some of the most medically complex respiratory cases in Southern California, including interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension, and severe asthma. Their critical care teams operate in intensive care units that serve as regional referral centers for respiratory failure, sepsis, and multi-organ dysfunction. These units often utilize advanced therapies such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and targeted immunomodulatory treatments.

USC has also been instrumental in shaping the scientific understanding of pulmonary diseases. Faculty have led and participated in numerous NIH-funded studies and multicenter clinical trials that have changed national guidelines and clinical practices. In sleep medicine, Keck physicians have contributed to innovations in diagnostic techniques, including home-based sleep apnea testing, and have pioneered research into the links between sleep disorders and chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurocognitive decline.

Furthermore, USC is deeply committed to education and mentorship. Its fellowship training programs in pulmonary and critical care medicine and sleep medicine are among the most competitive and respected in the nation. These programs have trained leaders in both academic medicine and clinical practice. The Keck School also emphasizes health equity and has developed community outreach and telemedicine initiatives to improve access to pulmonary and sleep care in underserved populations. Through its integration of clinical excellence, groundbreaking research, and dedication to education and health equity, USC continues to drive innovation and improve outcomes in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine on both a national and global scale.