February 28th, 2023

Dr. Edward Chan discusses Airway Clearance and a lot more!

​Dr. Edward Chan is a pulmonologist and researcher on the National Jewish Health faculty. He is also an Air Force veteran and works at the Rocky Mountain Veterans Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. When asked in an interview what his key to success is, he said “being mindful, having perseverance, and above all, being kind to all.”

I would add “generosity with one’s time and encouraging and helping others.”

When my book, “The BE CLEAR Method to Living with Bronchiectasis,” was published in 2021, I sent copies to over a hundred physicians. Dr. Chan made a point of emailing me about my book and asking if he could reference it in a paper he was writing https://bit.ly/3IUNbUi. He also offered to distribute my informational postcards in the waiting areas of NJH.

Dr. Chan going above and beyond was not surprising to me. I had listened to his presentation to our Palm Springs support group (administered by the non-profit Bronchiectasis/NTM Info and Research) which lasted close to an hour and a half! His talk was accompanied by a detailed slide deck and he patiently answered all our questions.

To listen to his talk click here https://bit.ly/3ECCao8. This talk is comprehensive and if you want to focus on airway clearance (Dr. Chan actually demonstrates techniques!!) go to the twenty-nine-minute mark.

Dr. Chan leaves no stone unturned in this thorough discussion. Don’t be thrown off by the focus on Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) infections. When it comes to airway clearance, whether you have bronchiectasis or pulmonary NTM, the techniques for removing hypersecretions are the same. Some of the highlights are:

️*Breathing techniques
️*PEP devices
️*OPEP devices
️*Using hypertonic saline
️*Sterilizing airway clearance equipment

Thank you Dr. Chan for helping to educate us about living with Bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease!!

#nationaljewishhealth #airwayclearance #beclearmethod #lindaespositomph #bronchiectasis #ntm