UP Health System – Marquette Brings the Latest Innovation in Pulmonology and Lung Biopsy to the Upper Peninsula

Minimally invasive robotic surgery improves patient outcomes and reduces recovery time

UP Health System – Marquette, a Duke Lifepoint Hospital and Duke Health Affiliate, is pleased to announce it has acquired the latest innovation in robotic technology for minimally invasive lung biopsy. Robotic surgery allows providers to insert surgical instruments through one small incision, improving surgical outcomes by providing more reach, more stability, and more precision — allowing faster patient recovery. This is made possible by a more than $600,000 investment from Lifepoint Health.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US, accounting for about one in five of all cancer deaths. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.

If your provider found a spot on your lung — commonly called a small mass or nodule — they may recommend you have it checked out further. While most lung nodules are benign, your provider may recommend a lung biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. Minimally invasive lung biopsy utilizes a robotic-assisted system that enables providers performing the procedure to reach all 18 segments of the lung.

During the biopsy, a tissue sample from the suspicious area is obtained and the cells are examined under a microscope to determine if cancer or another disease is present. In general, when a definitive diagnosis is obtained through a biopsy procedure, patients may avoid subsequent biopsies.

“Prior to acquiring this technology, we would have to send patients beyond the boundaries of the Upper Peninsula to get specific lung biopsies,” said UP Health System – Marquette Critical Care Pulmonologist Matthew Karulf, MD. “And when the possible diagnosis of lung cancer is on the line, every day you wait to begin treatment matters. We’re beyond thrilled to bring this innovative technology to the Upper Peninsula to further enhance our services and the level of quality and safety we provide our patients.”

Dr. Karulf is board certified in pulmonology, critical care, and internal medicine, and is the only provider at UP Health System performing this procedure at this time. Following medical school at the University of Colorado, he completed his residency in internal medicine at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN—where he spent time as chief resident—and his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.

“I’m incredibly proud of our organization’s commitment to providing the services our community needs and further establishing our foothold in robotics right here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,” said Gar Atchison, CEO of UP Health System – Marquette and Market President for UP Health System. “Lung disease continues to be a chronic health issue in our region, and I have no doubt that continuing to build our respiratory medicine team and services such as this will lead to better outcomes for our patients.”

When should I see a pulmonologist?

A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in lung conditions. A pulmonologist diagnoses and treats diseases of the respiratory system. You might hear these healthcare providers called lung doctors, lung specialists, or chest doctors.

In addition to your lungs, your respiratory system includes your nose, throat, trachea, airways, muscles, and blood vessels. Some illnesses treated or managed by pulmonologists include, but aren’t limited to:

• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Interstitial lung disease
• Lung cancer
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Sleep apnea

The UP Health System – Marquette Respiratory Medicine team provides comprehensive consultation, diagnoses, and treatment of diseases of the lungs and respiratory system and offers pulmonary function testing and chest imaging interpretation, among other services. Dr. Karulf is joined by Pulmonologist Marykay Lehman, MD, and Certified Nurse Practitioner Laura Leckelt.

For more information about respiratory services at UP Health System – Marquette or to take our free lung health assessment, visit UPHealthSytstem.com/Cancer-Care/Lung-Cancer-Screening. Need a provider? Call 844.411.UPHS (8747) or visit UPHealthSystem.com and click on the Find a Provider tab.