Asthma (Adult)

breathing difficulties, cough, shortened breath, spitting blood

Residency, Bronx-Lebanon
Fellowship, Bronx-Lebanon

English, Spanish

Dr. Gilda Diaz-Fuentes, Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, has been an active member of the BronxCare medical staff over the past 16 years, assuming her leadership position as Chief in 2006. Dr. Diaz-Fuentes treats patients with a broad spectrum of lung disease, including asthma, pneumonia, and pulmonary disorders.

Under Diaz-Fuentes' leadership, the Pulmonary/Critical Care Division has significantly grown. It now includes a 26-bed medical intensive care unit and respiratory program, two ventilator units, and specialized outpatient practices, as well as a Center for Sleep Medicine and hypothermia unit. State-of-the-art equipment is also available to patients, including an Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) and camera, one of the few in the Bronx.

"It offers the benefit of a non-invasive and detailed look inside the lung to provide immediate diagnosis, which, in many cases eliminates the need for exploratory surgery," stated Dr. Diaz-Fuentes.

Her department is also continuing to take on active role in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, the complications of asthma, pneumonia, and chronic lung disease, as well as sleep disorders and strokes. The many patients Dr. Diaz-Fuentes has helped recover from serious medical problems are a source of pride for her. These patients have often referred their family members and friends to her for treatment.

Medical education is an ongoing priority for Dr. Diaz-Fuentes. As the Program Director for the Pulmonary Fellowship Program, Dr. Diaz-Fuentes teaches several medical students and fellows each year. "I really enjoy teaching the physicians of tomorrow and encouraging then to continue their career at BronxCare," stated Dr. Diaz-Fuentes.

She is also a member of numerous professional societies and peer review committees, has extensive experience in clinical research activities, and is the author of numerous publications in the field.

In terms of her educational background, Dr. Diaz-Fuentes received a medical degree and post-graduate training from Universidad Austral de Chile. She continued her training in the United States with Internal Medicine and Pulmonary fellowships at BronxCare, as well as a Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center.

"I work to make our community healthier, and make a difference in our patients' lives," stated Dr. Diaz-Fuentes.