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Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health Pulmonology

At Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health, pediatric pulmonologists specialize in treating children of all ages that suffer from breathing issues, including asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia or wheezing problems.

Our team is specialized in treating a wide range of pediatric pulmonary diseases and offer services that help our team take care of your children. We collaborate with other specialists to provide a high-quality service for the care of our patients throughout Louisiana and the Mississippi border.

Providers in Baton Rouge

Andres Carrion, MD

Dr. Andres Carrion is the Section Chief of Pediatric Pulmonology. Dr. Carrion earned his medical degree from San Juan Bautista School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. Completed his pediatric residency at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. Followed by his fellowship training in pediatric pulmonology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

Dr. Carrion is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric pulmonology. He serves as faculty for OLOLCH Pediatric Residency Program, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Thoracic Society, and American College of Chest Physicians. His clinical areas of interest include aerodigestive disorders, home mechanical ventilation, flexible bronchoscopy, and cardiopulmonary physiology.

Dr. Carrion first joined our organization in 2010. He is fluent in Spanish and English. Dr. Carrion is a dedicated physician who enjoys helping patients and collaborate with colleagues to deliver the best care possible.

Jessica Brown, DO, MPH

Dr. Jessica Brown is triple board certified in Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology, and Sleep Medicine. She received her Osteopathic Medical Degree and Master’s Degree in Public Health from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She completed pediatric residency at the University of Florida Shands Hospital in Gainesville. After doing general pediatrics for 5 years in Florida, she completed fellowship training in both Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Dr. Brown is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans and Clinical Educator for the Department of Pediatrics at Tulane University. She is a member of the American Thoracic Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and American College of Chest Physicians. Her clinical interests include childhood asthma, sleep apnea, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Dr. Brown has been with our organization since 2016. She is fluent in English and speaks Spanish, and enjoys running, hiking, and traveling.

Grace Hire, NP

Grace received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from LSU and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She then completed her master of science in nursing at UAB with specialization as a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Grace has experience at Children’s of Alabama as a registered nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit and other critical care units. Grace is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Grace joined our team in 2022. She enjoys running as well as spending time with her family and friends.

Pediatric Pulmonary Function Testing Lab

Pulmonary function testing is an assessment of the integrated mechanical function of the lung, chest wall, and respiratory muscles by measuring volumes and capacities. They are helpful in diagnosing and assessing certain pulmonary conditions. Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Pulmonary Function Testing Lab has experienced and skillful personnel for performing and interpreting pediatric pulmonary function tests. Our lab can perform different types of pulmonary tests up to 21 years of age.

  • SPIROMETRY

    An office test used to assess lung function. Spirometry is the most common lung function test done. This test focuses on the exhaled breath to be able to diagnose and manage obstructive lung diseases and identify other ventilatory issues.

    Indications:

    • Diagnosis and severity assessment of asthma in patients older than 5 years of age
    • Follow-up of asthma control
    • Evaluation of chronic cough
    • Evaluation of shortness of breath and other chronic respiratory complaints
    • Determination of response to bronchodilators
    • Evaluation of baseline lung function in a patient with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
  • COMPLETE PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTING

    Allows measurement of the different lung volumes. Some degree of coordination is required for which this test is better performed by older children and teenagers. This test is typically done using the body box or plethysmography. The diffusion capacity of the lung can also be measured with this test.

    Indications:

    • Restrictive lung disease
    • Obstructive lung disease
    • Shortness of breath
    • Unexplained hypoxemia
    • Follow the course of disease and response to therapy
    • Monitor changes in lung function with certain therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • FRACTIONAL EXHALED NITRIC OXIDE (FENO)

    Can be used to assess allergic airway inflammation, adherence to inhaled corticosteroid therapy in patients with asthma, and assist in the management of severe asthma. It involved blowing into a machine for a period. It requires certain coordination which is typically accomplished by older children and teenagers.

  • SIX-MINUTE WALK TEST

    Can be done for evaluation of activity impairment and functional disability. It involves walking for six minutes while measuring oxygen saturations, heart rate and respiratory rate.

  • CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE TESTING

    Can be useful in the evaluation of dyspnea, identify a cardiac or respiratory cause for exercise limitations, quantify functional disability, or to identify the presence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Patients exercise on a treadmill or cycle ergometer under the supervision of a respiratory therapist and physician.

    Indications:

    • Exercise intolerance
    • Unexplained dyspnea
    • Shortness of breath
    • Exercise-induced wheezing
    • Pre-operative evaluation
    • Chest wall or pectus deformities
    • Assess response to treatment
    • Exercise prescription

For more information about our services or referrals, please contact our office at (225) 765-5500, or PFT Lab (225) 374-6565, extension 7-9579.

Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health logo

8200 Constantin Blvd, 3rd Floor, Baton Rouge LA 70809

Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.