History

The University of Rochester Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Program began in 2003 when Dr. Jim White joined the University of Rochester faculty and dedicated his outpatient clinical efforts fully to pulmonary hypertension. The program has a highly functional and dedicated inpatient nursing and pharmacy staff who are very involved in the care of PH patients. The cardiovascular and critical care pharmacy team are available 24/7 for PH related issues and are comfortable with all aspects of advanced medication administration.

The University of Rochester has had a very active clinical and basic science research program since 2005. The team has contributed substantially to the development of key PH medications and we continue to strive for better drugs and better living with PAH.

PH Program Physicians

• R. James White, MD

Center Coordinators

• Karen Frutiger, RN
• Alison Theuer, RN

Duration of Program’s Existence

• Since 2003

Number of PAH Patients Being Actively Managed

• >200

Number of Patients on IV/SQ Therapy

• 40-49

Support Services Available

• Cardiac Anesthesia
• Central Line Placement/Repair
• Coagulation Service
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Dietary/Nutrition Services
• Lung Transplant Referral Program
• On-call Pulmonary/Cardiology Service (24/7 Availability)
• Palliative Care
• Pulmonary or Cardiac Rehabilitation Referrals
• Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy (PTE) Referrals
• Social Work
• Rheumatology

R. James White, PhD, MD

Board Certifications

• Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine

Education

• 1990 – BS – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
• 1996 – PhD – Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
• 1997 – MD – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Postgraduate Training

• 2000 – Intern & Resident, Internal Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY
• 2003 – Fellow, Pulmonary/Critical Care, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY

Current Hospital and Administrative Appointments

• 2017-Present – Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology & Physiology, Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
• 2005-Present – Director, University of Rochester Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Program, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

PH-Specific Activities

• American College of Chest Physicians
• American Heart Association
• American Thoracic Society
• Clinical Science and Translational Institute

Awards & Honors

• 2008: Young Investigator Travel Award, World Health Organization

Publications

• Click here for recent pulmonary hypertension publications by Dr. White.

Karen Frutiger, BS, RN

Professional Credentials

• Registered Nurse

Education

• 1977 – BS – Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI
• 1980 – BSN – University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Current Professional Experience

• 1993-present – Clinical Research Nurse Coordinator, Pulmonary/Critical Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

PH-Specific Activities

• PH Professional Network

New patients interested in making an appointment with the University of Rochester Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Program can request an appointment by calling:

Phone: (585) 275-4161

Last Verified: April 27, 2016