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Donna Willey–Courand | UT Health San Antonio

Contact

210-562-5844

courandd@uthscsa.edu

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Departments & Divisions

Research

Research profile

Donna B Willey–Courand, M.D.

Professor of Pediatrics

Chief, Division of Pulmonology

Miss Eloise Alexander Distinguished University Chair in Pediatric Pulmonology

Center Director and Pediatric Program Director for The University of Texas Health Science Center Cystic Fibrosis Center

Currently not seeking mentees

The primary focus of my research, clinical, and teaching roles involves the management of patients with cystic fibrosis.  I founded the Cystic Fibrosis Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center in 2014 and serve as both the Center and Pediatric Program Directors.  In my role, I provide education to medical students, residents, and fellows about the pathophysiology and care of patients with cystic fibrosis. I worked with the Texas Department of State Health Services to develop the algorithm to add cystic fibrosis to the Texas newborn screening panel and oversee the cystic fibrosis newborn screening program at University Hospital.  I have been engaged with the managment of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis including providing clinical care as well as serving as the principal investigator for numerous clinical trials of new therapies aimed at enhancing the pulmonary health and survival of patients with cystic fibrosis.  I have been engaged in quality improvement work related to cystic fibrosis both within my own Center as well as serving as a national quailty improvement coach for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Additionally, I have been invovled with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation serving on committees to write guidelines for cystic fibrosis care, serving as a Center Committe member, and leading a taskforce to enhance the education and training of new program directors.  Locally, I work with the Lone Star Cystic Fibrosis Chapter on various fund raising activities and provide education to the public on cystic fibrosis.  

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 1992 - MD - Medicine - University of Maryland, School of Medicine
    • 1988 - BS - Chemistry - Duke University

    Training

    • 1998 - Clinical Fellowship - Pediatric Pulmonology - Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulm Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital
    • 1998 - Clinical Fellowship - Biomedical Engineering - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard Med School & MA General Hosp
    • 1995 - Residency - Pediatrics - Dept of Pedi, Baylor College of Med, TX Children's Hosp, Ben Taub Gen Hosp
    • 1993 - Internship - Pediatrics - Dept of Pedi, Baylor College of Med, TX Children's Hosp, Ben Taub Gen Hosp

    Highlights

    • 2018 Lone Star Cystic Fibrosis Chapter Champion of Change Award: "For The Continuous Commitment To All Those with Cystic Fibrosis"
    • 2017 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Quality Care Award
    • 2010 UTHSCSA Presidential Clinical Excellence Award
    • 7/2018 A Top Pulmonologist in San Antonio Texas
    • Texass Super Doctors - 2019,2018,2017,2016,2014,2013,2012,2011 
    • Best San Antonio Doctors 2018
    • Best Doctors in America 2017-2018,2016,2015,2014, 2013 2011-2012, 2009-2010, 2007-2008

    Appointments

    • 2/2014 - Center Director and Pediatric Program Director - UT Health Science Cystic Fibrosis Center, Robert B. Green Clinical Pavilion / University Hospital System, Pediatrics, San Antonio
    • 9/2012 - The Miss Eloise Alexander Distinguished University Chair in Pediatric Pulmonology - UT Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio
    • 4/2009 - Division Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology - UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, Pediatrics, San Antonio
    • 9/2008 - Clinical Professor - UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, Pediatrics, San Antonio
    • 4/2009-10/2013 - Section Chief, Peditric Pulmonology - CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, San Antonio, Texas
    • 11/2001-10/2013 - Center Director and Pediatric Program Director, Cystic Fibrosis Center - CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital,San Antonio, Texas
    • 9/1999-10/2001 - Co-Medical Director, Cystic Fibrosis Center - CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, San Antonio, Texas

  • Instruction & Training

    • 10/2013 - Present, Individual Instruction, Pediatric residents and medical students, University Health System
    • 7/2013 - Present, Individual Instruction, Pediatric residents and medical students, Robert B. Green Clinical Pavilion - University Health System
    • 1999-Present, Medical Student Lectures on Pediatric Pulmonary Diseases, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
    • 2020, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2007, Annual lecture on Cystic Fibrosis tp Pediatric Dental Residents, UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
    • 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012,2011, 2009, 2008, Quality Improvement Lecture to Pediatric Fellows, UT Health Science Center San Antonio, Department of Pediatrics

  • Research & Grants

    I have served as the local principal investigator for numerous clinical trials of novel pulmonary therapies designed to enhance the lung function and survival of patients with cystic fibrosis. 

    Research profile

    Grants

    Private

    Funding Agency Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Title Award for Mental Health Coordinator (CMHC310-16) Status Active Period 1/2018 - 12/2018 Role Co-Investigator Grant Detail Implementation of the Depression Anxiety Guidelines: Award for Mental Health Coordinator. This award is designed to facilitate implementation of the depression and anxiety guideline recommendations. The focus of this Request for Applications is to provide seed funding for a CF Mental Health Coordinator to implement annual screening and follow-up; coordinate evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety; develop and maintain a referral network of community-based mental health care in CF for the CF Center, hospital or institution, community practitioner, and payers. Funding Agency Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Title Award for Mental Health Coordinator (CMHC310-16) Status Active Period 1/2017 - 12/2017 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail Implementation of the Depression Anxiety Guidelines: Award for Mental Health Coordinator. This award is designed to facilitate implementation of the depression and anxiety guideline recommendations. The focus of this Request for Applications is to provide seed funding for a CF Mental Health Coordinator to implement annual screening and follow-up; coordinate evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety; develop and maintain a referral network of community-based mental health care in CF for the CF Center, hospital or institution, community practitioner, and payers. Funding Agency Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Title Award for Physical Therapist (CCPT310-16) Status Active Period 11/2016 - 10/2017 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail This award is designed to facilitate recruitment of an outpatient physical therapist (PT) as a member of the multidisciplinary CF clinic team. The focus of this Request for Application sis to catalyze recruitment of a PT to use the best available evidence ti implement annual screening, recommendations, and referrals for issues related to cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal fitness, as it relates to airway clearance, healthy physical activity and exercise. The CF PT will also develop and implement processes to help prevent disease and inactivity related problems in clinic population, serve as a resource to the multidisciplinary team and physical therapist outside the clinic, and advocate for physical therapy issues within the larger CF community. Funding Agency Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Title Cystic Fibrosis Center Grant (CC310-16) Status Complete Period 7/2016 - 7/2017 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail Grant provided annually by the North American Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to the UTHSCSA Cystic Fibrosis Care Center at the Robert B. Green Clinical Pavilion / University Health System. Funding used for salary support as well as to cover other center costs including attendance at the National CF Conference. Funding Agency Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Title Cystic Fibrosis Center Grant (CC310-15) Status Complete Period 7/2015 - 7/2016 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail Grant provided annually by the North American Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to the UTHSCSA Cystic Fibrosis Care Center at the Robert B. Green Clinical Pavilion / University Health System. Funding used for salary support as well as to cover other center costs including attendance at the National CF Conference.

    State

    Funding Agency Texas Dept. of State Health Services Title CSHCN Services Program UTHSCSA Cystic Fibrosis Center Status Complete Period 9/2015 - 8/2016 Role Principal Investigator Grant Detail Grant provided by the Texas Dept. of State Health Services / Children with Special Health Care Needs to the UTHSCSA Cystic Fibrosis Center for case management as well as development of the CF Center as a medical home.

  • Service

    Department

    Chief of the Pediatric Pulmonary Division

    Center Director and Peditric Program Director, University of Texas Health Science Center Cystic Fibrosis Center

    Faculty Mentor

    Institutional

    Pharmacy and Therpeutic  Pulmonary Subcommittee

    National

    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:

    1. Member, Center Committe

    2.  Leader, New Program Director Takforce

    3. Member of the Pulmonary and CFTR Modulator Clinical Practice Guidelines Subcommittees

    4. Representative from Texas to the CFF Newborn Screening Quality Improvement Consortium

    Community

    I have served as a board member for the Lone Star Cystic Fibrosis Chapter and participate in local fund raising events as well as providing education to increase cystic fibrosis awareness. 

  • Publications

      Book Chapter

      Willey-Courand DB. Cystic Fibrosis. In: Marshall BC, McInerny TK, Adam HM, Campbell DE, DeWill TG, Foy JM, Kamat DM, eds. Pediatric Primary Care. Elk Grove Village, IL; 2017.

      Journal Article

      Clement L. Ren, Rebecca L. Morgan, Christopher Oermann, Helaine E. Resnick, Cynthia Brady, Annette Campbell, Richard DeNagel, Margaret Guill, Jeffrey Hoag, Andrew Lipton, Thomas Newton, Stacy Peters, Donna Beth Willey-Courand, and Edward T. Naureckas. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Pulmonary Guidelines. Use of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Modulator Therapy in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Ann Am Thorac Soc 2018 Mar;15(3):271-280.

      Rayas MS, Willey-Courand DB, Lynch JL, Guajardo JR. Improved Screening for Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes by an Integrated Care Team Using an Algorithm Pediatric Pulmonology 2014 Oct;49(10):971-977.

      Brown RF, Willey-Courand DB, George C, McMullen A, Duntz J, Solvis B, Perkett E. Non-Physician Providers as Clinical Providers in Cystic Fibrosis: Survey of US Programs; Pediatric Pulmonology 2013 Apr;4(48):398-404.

  • Clinical

    Board Certifications

    • American Board of Pediatrics/Pulmonology