Pulmonary Hypertension Care Centers
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s Scientific Leadership Council, 28 global leaders in the field of pulmonary hypertension, have spearheaded the PHA-Accredited PH Care Centers (PHCC) initiative to establish a program for accreditation of centers with special expertise in pulmonary hypertension (PH), particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), to raise the overall quality of care and outcomes in patients with this life-threatening disease.
Why Accreditation is Needed
Once considered rapidly fatal, PAH can now be treated with many medications, all developed in just the past two decades. Despite medical advances, the median time from onset of symptoms to PAH diagnosis is still 1.1 years, and many patients will see three or more different physicians over this period before they are properly diagnosed. Since early 2011, PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council has developed the PHCC initiative to assure outstanding care in pulmonary hypertension.
More Information
The PHA-Accredited PH Care Centers (PHCC) program is an initiative of PHA’s Scientific Leadership Council to accredit centers in the U.S. in order to raise the level of care for individuals with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Accreditation is based on a center’s overall commitment to PH patients, breadth of involved health care professionals and scope of services provided.
How to Find a PH Specialist In the PHCC Network
PHA has created a map to assist in locating a PHCC near you.
Map of accredited PH care centers
PH specialists in the PHCC network also can be found in our Doctors Who Treat PH directory. They will be designated as part of an accredited PH program in your search.
How PH Care Centers Are Expected to Improve Your Medical Care
- Patients are better informed about comprehensive PH care
- Patients have improved access to Centers with expertise in PH
- Patients experience less time between symptom onset and diagnosis
- A medical community better informed about standards of PH care
- Therapies are appropriately used to improve long-term outcomes
- Increased opportunities for collaboration between Centers for clinical care and PH research
The Two Types of Centers
Two types of centers are accredited: Centers of Comprehensive Care (CCC) and Regional Clinical Programs (RCP). Both accredited CCCs and RCPs will have demonstrated a commitment to providing expert-level care based on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) consensus guidelines.
Centers of Comprehensive Care
A PHA-Accredited Center of Comprehensive Care is a highly organized, full-time PH Center that proficiently evaluates PH patients based on published evidence-based guidelines and also provides expert treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients with all of the FDA-approved therapies. CCCs also make important contributions to PH research and education.
Regional Clinical Programs
A PHA-Accredited Regional Clinical Program is a regional PH Center that proficiently evaluates PH patients based on published evidence-based guidelines and also provides expert treatment of PAH patients with all non-parenteral therapies. An RCP must collaborate with its regional CCCs by referring patients that may benefit from opportunities unavailable at the RCP, including the initiation of advanced parenteral therapies and participation in clinical research protocols.
Developing and Implementing the PHCC Program
In September 2011, members of the PHA Board of Trustees, the PHA Scientific Leadership Council, and other key stakeholders in the PH community approved the PHCC initiative in concept. A steering committee and task forces were organized and staffed to address accreditation criteria, program implementation, registry development, communication to key stakeholders and financial sustainability. The members below provided valuable contributions, which include: researching, accumulating and documenting information, developing logic models, defining action steps, building financial projections and validating the program content.
| Murali Chakinala, MD (PHCC Chair) | Washington University in Saint Louis |
| Rino Aldrighetti | PHA |
| Richard Channick, MD | Harvard Medical School |
| C. Gregory Elliott, MD | University of Utah |
| Serpil Erzurum, MD | The Cleveland Clinic Foundation |
| Karen Fagan, MD | University of South Alabama |
| Bob Gray | PHA |
| Michael Patrick Gray, MPH | PHA |
| Carl Hicks | PHA |
| Wendy Hill, RN, MSN | VA Greater LA Healthcare System |
| Steven Kawut, MD, MS (Patient Registry Task Force Chair) | University of Pennsylvania |
| Vallerie McLaughlin, MD | University of Michigan |
| Stephen Mathai, MD, MHS | Johns Hopkins University |
| Olivia Onyeador, MHA | PHA |
| Ron Oudiz, MD (Criteria Task Force Chair) | Harbor UCLA Medical Center |
| Abby Poms, RRT, RCP (Implementation Task Force Co-Chair) | Duke University |
| Jeffrey Sager, MD, MSCE | Cottage Hospital |
| Robert Schilz, DO, PhD | Case Western Reserve University |
| Traci Stewart, RN, MSN | University of Iowa |
| Darren Taichman, MD | University of Pennsylvania |
| Victor Tapson, MD | Cedars-Sinai |
| Corey Ventetuolo, MD, MS | Brown University |
| Joel Wirth, MD (Implementation Task Force Co-Chair) | Maine Medical Center |
| Roham Zamanian, MD (Funding Task Force Chair) | Stanford University |
PHCC Initiative Mission Statement
The purpose of the PHA-Accredited Pulmonary Hypertension Care Centers (PHCC) initiative is to establish a program of accredited centers with expertise in pulmonary hypertension that aspires to improve overall quality of care and ultimately improve outcomes of patients with pulmonary hypertension, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare and life-threatening group of diseases.
Why the Need for Accreditation?
Despite the availability and success of PAH-targeted therapeutic options over the past two decades, there are still shortcomings with the diagnosis and management of PAH. One recent study observed that expert recommended diagnostic algorithms were not being followed to completion in up to 94% of PAH patients, and nearly 60% of PAH referrals to expert centers already on therapy were on so contrary to published guidelines. In addition, despite the available medical therapies, long-term outcomes are still not optimal as many patients still die from PH, require transplantation or require hospitalization.
PH Care Centers: What You Need to Know
Two types of centers are be accredited: Centers of Comprehensive Care (CCC) and Regional Clinical Programs (RCP). Please note that applications for Pediatric Regional Clinical Programs are not currently being accepted. Learn more about the PH Care Centers initiative:
- Application Process
- Accreditation Criteria
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Informational Webinars
- PHCC Medical Leadership
- Get Involved
PHCC News and Research
Advisory: Reproductive Health and Pulmonary Hypertension
Pregnancy is considered high risk for people with pulmonary hypertension because their heart and lungs can’t easily adjust to the demands of pregnancy and childbirth.
PHA Accredits 100th PH Care Center
Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, became the 100th PHA-accredited Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center in April. Children’s Mercy is one of 3 pediatric Regional Clinical Programs in PHA’s care center network. “We trust accreditation will give patients and families confidence in the care we provide,” said Kate Carp, PH clinical nurse coordinator at Children’s Mercy.
Hill Day Visits Pay Off With Immediate ‘Win’
After PHA advocates visited members of Congress for World PH Day, Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.) stepped up right away. Fields signed on as cosponsor of Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act the day after our in-person advocacy event on Capital Hill.
5 ATS Abstracts Feature PHA Registry Data
Research based on PHA Registry data appeared in five abstracts presented at the American Thoracic Society’s annual conference, May 18-21 in San Francisco.
40-Year Thriver Finds Joy While Navigating Chronic Conditions
Kim Everett has lived with lupus for over 40 years and pulmonary arterial hypertension for over 20. For Lupus Awareness Month, she shares her diagnosis journey and advice for navigating life with chronic illnesses.
Support Group Leader Finds Silver Linings
Rachel Gabbert Roberts was 30 when she was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2010. Since then, she has learned to listen to her body and have a positive outlook on life.
Help Improve the Lives of People With PH
Want to do your part to support the PH community? Anyone can be an advocate in as few as five minutes. PHA makes it quick and easy to connect with your members of Congress.
New Courses Available in PHA Online University
PH professionals: Take the next step in your career. Explore job opportunities through the PHA Career Center. Create your job seeker account and upload your CV or resume to catch the eye of employers looking for talent like yours.
Join Us in Celebrating World PH Day
Please join PHA in observing World Pulmonary Hypertension Day on May 5. World PH Day is a global effort to raise PH awareness. Led by PHA Europe, this year’s campaign “Sometimes it’s Pulmonary Hypertension,” draws attention to the challenges of getting an accurate diagnosis. The campaign brings together people from around the world to shed light on the frustrating, frightening journey patients experience before hearing “It’s PH.”
Volunteer Takes on International Care Disparities
As the moderator of a PHA Facebook group, Janessa Curnow, 38, receives requests to join the group from people all over the world. For World Pulmonary Hypertension Day on May 5, Curnow shares what she’s learned from the international PH community. Curnow leads the PHA Young Adult Support Group and previously led the PHA Grand Rapids Support Group in Michigan.
Piper With PH Marches Onward
Carole Doody's passion, playing the bagpipes, saved her life. When she no longer could play the right tones or march, Doody knew something was wrong. Fifteen years after her PH diagnosis, the retired speech-language pathologist volunteers for PHA. She shares her story in honor of National Volunteer Week, which wraps up April 26.
Workshop Speakers, Support Groups Inspire Attendees
More than 80 people attended PHA’s PH Community Workshop March 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Diane Ramirez, who had PH for 36 years before a heart-lung transplant, shared her story in the keynote address. “Meeting and hearing from Diane was inspiring,” says Barbara Stubbs, leader of the PHA Upstate South Carolina Support Group. “Her enthusiasm for life was contagious.”
Pulmonary Hypertension Association Launches Certificate Program for Advanced Practice Providers and Allied Health Professionals
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association has launched a new certificate program for advanced practice providers and allied health professionals. The Pulmonary Hypertension Certificate program is designed to build specialized knowledge in the diagnosis, treatment and management of pulmonary hypertension.
PHA Launches Certificate for Advance Practice Providers
Enrollment is now live for PHA’s PH Certificate Program for advanced practice providers. Advanced practice providers include nurse practitioners, pharmacists and physician associates and allied health professionals who can prescribe medicine.
‘Sometimes It’s Pulmonary Hypertension’: Global Community Unites for World PH Day 2025
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association will join more than 80 organizations globally on Monday, May 5, to recognize World Pulmonary Hypertension Day. This year, PHA joins the global campaign, “Sometimes It’s Pulmonary Hypertension,” to highlight the challenges patients face in getting an accurate diagnosis.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School
The Burke Advanced Fellowship in Pulmonary Heart Disease at The Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School—invites applications for an advanced fellowship in pulmonary heart disease starting July 1, 2025. This training program is sponsored by the Center for Pulmonary Heart Disease at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Transplant Recipient Aids Research Through Own Gift
Lauri Stanfield of Tomball, Texas, received the gift of life in 2015 through a double lung transplant – and gave life by donating parts of her lungs for research. Stanfield, who works in the oil industry, likes to try new things and is weighing whether to learn pickle ball.
Making a Splash With Subcutaneous Therapy
Tiffani Brown was dismayed to give up water activities when she started subcutaneous treprostinil therapy in 2020. Since then, she worked with her pulmonary hypertension nurse Debbie Kittel to find a way to keep her site dry while swimming and showering.
Don’t Miss Last Day To Sign Up for Virtual Advocacy Event
Today -- April 10 – is your last chance to sign up for May 7 virtual advocacy visits. The virtual advocacy visits mark World PH Day by educating lawmakers about pulmonary hypertension.