PH CARE CENTERS
Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
The Pulmonary Hypertension Program at the VCU Medical Center is a PHA-accredited Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center in Richmond, Virginia.
411 East Marshall Street
Richmond, VA 23298
Web: https://www.vcuhealth.org/services/pulmonary-disease-and-critical-care-medicine/pulmonary-hypertension
PH Program Physicians
- Dan Grinnan, MD
- Melissa Smallfield, MD
Center Coordinators
- Charnetta Lester, RN
- Janet Pinson, NP, FCCP
History
Virginia Commonwealth University’s pulmonary hypertension program was formally started in 2000 by Paul Fairman and Janet Pinson after initiating epoprostenol on several patients. The program grew over the next several years, a dedicated inpatient unit was formed (on the 10th floor of the hospital, where all patients with PH are admitted during hospitalization), and Dan Grinnan joined in 2008 to accommodate the growth. The outpatient clinic was moved to VCU at Stony Point in 2009, allowing a dedicated outpatient clinic with readily available ancillary testing (including TTE and PFT on site, in addition to imaging and laboratory). In 2011, in anticipation of Dr. Fairman’s retirement, Dr. Grinnan assumed the role of medical director. In 2013, Melissa Smallfield joined as the group merged to become a cardiopulmonary center.
PH Program Physicians
- Dan Grinnan, MD
- Melissa Smallfield, MD
Center Coordinators
- Charnetta Lester, RN
- Janet Pinson, NP, FCCP
Duration of Program’s Existence
- Since 2000
Number of PAH Patients Being Actively Managed
- 75-99
Number of Patients on IV/SQ Therapy
- 25-49
Support Services Available
- Anticoagulation Services
- Cardiac Anesthesia
- Central Line Placement and Repair
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Dietary/Nutrition
- Lung Transplant Program
- On-Call Pulmonary/Cardiology Service (24/7)
- Palliative Care
- Pulmonary/Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy (PTE)
- Rheumatology
- Social Work
Daniel C. Grinnan, MD
Board Certifications
- Internal Medicine
- Pulmonary Disease
- Critical Care Medicine
Education
- 1995 – AB – Psychology & Neuroscience, Davidson College, Davidson, NC
- 2000 – MD – Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School, Richmond, VA
Postgraduate Training
- 2003 – Resident, Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
- 2006 – Fellow, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA
Current Faculty Appointments
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
Current Hospital and Administrative Appointments
- 2006-present – Attending Physician, Medical Respiratory Intensive Care Unit
- 2006-present – Attending Physician, Pulmonary Consult Service
Publications
- Click here for recent pulmonary hypertension publications by Dr. Grinnan.
Charnetta Lester, RN
Professional Credentials
- Registered Nurse
Education
- 1997-2001 Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree
Current Professional Experience
- 2017-present – Pulmonary Hypertension Nurse Coordinator, VCU Health, Richmond, Virginia
PH-Specific Activities and Leadership
- 2018-present – Member, Pulmonary Hypertension Association
- 2018-present – Member, Pulmonary Hypertension Professional Network (PHPN)
- 2017–present – Co-leader, Central Virginia Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group, Richmond, Virginia
New and established patients interested in making an appointment with the Virginia Commonwealth University Pulmonary Hypertension Center can contact the appointment line by calling:
- Telephone: (804) 828-2161
Last Verified: January 9, 2015