Top 15 U.S. Hospitals for Lung Disease and Surgery

If you or a loved one is facing lung disease, choosing the right hospital matters.

The right center can improve survival, shorten recovery, and open doors to advanced treatments like clinical trials, lung transplantation, and minimally invasive procedures.

Top 15 U.S. hospitals for lung disease and surgery (2024–25)

The hospitals below are widely recognized by reputable sources—including the current U.S. News & World Report Pulmonology & Lung Surgery rankings, specialty societies, and federal outcomes registries—as national leaders in respiratory care. Rankings change each year, so use this as a starting point and verify the latest data on the sources linked here and on each hospital’s site. See the U.S. News Pulmonology & Lung Surgery rankings for current methodology and standings.

What sets these programs apart is depth and breadth: high volumes in complex cases (asthma, COPD, ILD, pulmonary hypertension), robust interventional pulmonology, strong thoracic surgery, transplant outcomes, and integrated rehab and support services—backed by research and clinical trials.

National Jewish Health & UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (Denver/Aurora, CO) — A decades-long national leader in respiratory medicine; renowned for severe asthma, bronchiectasis, and ILD clinics, with multidisciplinary evaluation and extensive patient education.
Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, OH) — High volumes in COPD, lung cancer, interventional pulmonology (navigational/robotic bronchoscopy), and a top transplant program with comprehensive pulmonary rehab.
Mayo Clinic – Rochester (Rochester, MN) — Integrated care model across pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and radiology; strong outcomes in ILD, sarcoidosis, and complex airway disorders.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, MA) — Expertise in pulmonary hypertension, ILD, sleep medicine, and ECMO; closely partnered with research at Harvard Medical School.
Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA) — Advanced interventional pulmonology and thoracic oncology; strong outcomes data and access to cutting-edge trials.
NYU Langone Health (New York, NY) — Comprehensive respiratory programs with strengths in ILD, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer surgery; robust second-opinion and telehealth options.
Cedars-Sinai (Los Angeles, CA) — Advanced lung disease center with transplant expertise, pulmonary hypertension programs, and minimally invasive procedures.
UCLA Health (Los Angeles, CA) — Lung transplant, CF, and ILD excellence; multidisciplinary clinics and strong outcomes in thoracic surgery.
UCSF Health (San Francisco, CA) — Nationally recognized for transplant, ILD, and pulmonary hypertension, with extensive research and clinical trials portfolio.
Northwestern Medicine – Canning Thoracic Institute (Chicago, IL) — High-volume lung cancer and transplant center; advanced bronchoscopic therapies and comprehensive rehab.
Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, MD) — Leadership in airway disease, sarcoidosis, and critical care; emphasizes patient-centered education and shared decision-making.
Mount Sinai (New York, NY) — Expertise across ILD, pulmonary hypertension, and thoracic oncology, with strong interventional pulmonology capabilities.
Stanford Health Care (Stanford, CA) — Pulmonary hypertension, transplant, and lung cancer innovation with access to Silicon Valley–driven technology and trials.
Duke University Hospital (Durham, NC) — Pioneering transplant program, advanced COPD care (including valves), and experienced ECMO team.
Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan) (Ann Arbor, MI) — Comprehensive ILD and COPD services, interventional pulmonology, and integrated pulmonary rehab.

What makes these hospitals stand out

Depth of subspecialties: Dedicated clinics for ILD, pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, severe asthma, lung cancer, and sleep disorders.
Advanced procedures: Robotic or navigational bronchoscopy, EBUS, lung volume reduction (surgical and endobronchial valves), pleural interventions, and ECMO.
Transplant programs with transparent outcomes: Check survival and waitlist statistics via the SRTR (Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients).
Integrated rehab and support: Hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition, mental health, and social work services to sustain gains after discharge.
Research and clinical trials: Faster access to novel drugs and devices; search ClinicalTrials.gov by condition and ZIP code.
Team-based care: Pulmonology, thoracic surgery, oncology, radiology, pathology, respiratory therapy, and palliative care working as one.

How to choose the right center for your condition

COPD/emphysema: Look for high-volume lung volume reduction (including valves) and strong pulmonary rehab; ask about readmission and exacerbation rates.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD): Prefer centers with multidisciplinary ILD clinics and access to antifibrotics and transplant evaluation; find expert clinics via the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Care Center Network.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH): Choose accredited PH centers recognized by the Pulmonary Hypertension Care Centers program for specialized testing and therapies.
Lung cancer/thoracic surgery: Seek programs with board-certified thoracic surgeons, high minimally invasive rates, and strong tumor boards; ask for 30- and 90-day outcome data.
Cystic fibrosis (CF): Adult and pediatric CF care centers are listed by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; confirm access to modulator therapies and infection control protocols.
Sleep-disordered breathing: Confirm AASM-accredited sleep labs and integrated PAP adherence support.

Practical tips: insurance, access, and travel

Check quality and safety: Review hospital quality metrics on Medicare Care Compare and ask for service-line outcomes (e.g., COPD readmissions, surgical complications).
Verify coverage: Call both your insurer and the hospital’s financial counseling office to confirm in-network status, prior authorization needs, and potential single-case agreements if out-of-network.
Ask about access: Many centers offer virtual second opinions and nurse navigators who can review records before travel.
Plan logistics: Inquire about lodging discounts, caregiver support, and shuttle services; transplant and PH programs often have dedicated resources.
Bring your data: Upload imaging on CDs/portals, bring PFT printouts, med lists, and prior procedure reports to avoid duplicate testing.

Getting ready for your appointment

Write a one-page summary of your history, key symptoms, triggers, and what worsens or relieves them.
List all medications (with inhaler technique details), allergies, and prior therapies you tried.
Know your goals: fewer exacerbations, improved exercise tolerance, oxygen weaning, or surgical candidacy.
Prepare questions: alternative diagnoses, additional tests needed, expected benefits/risks, and milestones for reassessment.

FAQs

Are “top” hospitals always best for every patient?

Not always. A regional center with specific expertise in your condition may be faster to access and equally effective. For complex surgeries, transplants, or advanced trials, national leaders are often worth the travel.

How do I compare lung transplant programs?

Review center-specific volumes, wait times, and survival on the SRTR, ask about donor acceptance criteria and high-risk donor protocols, and evaluate rehab and caregiver support.

Where do I find clinical trials?

Search ClinicalTrials.gov by condition (e.g., IPF, COPD, PH) and filter by recruiting status and distance; bring candidate trials to your specialist for discussion.

What if I can’t travel?

Ask about virtual second opinions, local referral networks, and shared-care models where a national center sets the plan and your nearby pulmonologist executes it. Many leading programs support this approach.

Bottom line: Start with the list above, verify current rankings and outcomes, and choose a center aligned with your diagnosis, goals, and logistics. The right fit balances expertise, access, and support—so you can breathe easier.