Pulmonology

There’s no place like CHOC for the diagnosis and treatment of children with pulmonary illnesses and diseases.

We are committed to providing the highest quality care for kids of all ages with pulmonary disorders. We provide innovative programs and specialized treatments for a variety of pulmonary conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, sleep disorders and more.

The CHOC Difference

What We Treat

Helping kids feel better, grow and thrive is our passion. While we are experts in evaluating, treating and managing all forms of pulmonary conditions, our specialty programs and multidisciplinary approach in the following areas are what set us apart.

State-of-the-Art Diagnostics

Baby sleeping with a ventAt CHOC, we are proud to feature a wide array of some of the most advanced diagnostics available. Some pulmonary patients may need extensive diagnostic evaluations. These tests can include:

Innovative Programs, Specialized Expertise

The CHOC Asthma Center provides comprehensive evaluation and management for children with asthma. We use state-of-the-art equipment and technology and take a multidisciplinary treatment approach to offer the highest quality of care. We also offer a Severe Asthma program for kids with life-threatening or severe/difficult-to-treat asthma.
The CHOC chronic lung disease (CLD) of infancy (also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia or BPD) program is a multidisciplinary treatment program for long-term respiratory problems in premature babies from the use of a mechanical ventilator and extra oxygen for breathing.
Our pulmonologists partner with CHOC's gastroenterologists and other specialists to treat medical problems associated with cystic fibrosis. Our convenient, multidisciplinary program allows patients to see all of their cystic fibrosis care team specialists at the same appointment. CHOC has the only core care center accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Orange County. Learn more about the Cystic Fibrosis Program.
The CHOC Sleep Center provides a complete range of sleep evaluations and treatment for newborns through teens with disorders of sleep apnea and related breathing disorders, and sleepiness and sleeplessness. We also assess behavior problems that may be caused or worsened by poor sleep, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Our pulmonogists and sleep specialists also partner with CHOC endocrinologists and other specialists to treat medical problems and sleep disorders associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
The CHOC ‎respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) program provides monthly palivizumab (Synagis®) injections to infants and young children who are at high risk of hospitalization if they become infected with RSV. We offer the only specialized RSV prevention program in Southern California with full access to a full team of board-certified physicians, specialized pediatric nurse practitioners and a care coordinator.
CHOC is a leader in pediatric respiratory diseases, including rare lung diseases such as interstitial lung disease and primary ciliary dyskinesia. Our rare lung disease program consists of pulmonologists and experts from our more than 30 specialties, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists and social workers. We provide families with an individualized treatment plan depending on the specific condition.
At CHOC, we have the only pediatric program in Orange County designated by the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help families understand and manage muscle disease. That means in addition to an entire team of CHOC specialists who care for your child, we also partner with the MDA to offer access to national research and community support. Learn more about the Muscular Dystrophy Association program.
CHOC offers the only multidisciplinary rheumatology/pulmonology program in the region. CHOC pulmonologists partner with our rheumatologists to treat medical problems associated with diseases of the joints, muscles and bones, such as interstitial lung disease, lupus and Wegener’s granulomatosis. This specialized program provides both specialists at your appointment to provide the highest quality, coordinated care for your child.
The CHOC Aerodigestive Program brings together pediatric specialists in otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat), gastroenterology, pulmonology and speech/swallow therapy to care for children with disorders involving the airway and digestive system.
The CHOC hematology/pulmonology program brings together our pulmonologists and rheumatologists in one appointment. CHOC pulmonologists participate in the appointment to address the various sleep and respiratory disorders that can accompany sickle cell and other red cell disease. This specialized program provides both specialists at your appointment to provide the highest quality, coordinated care for your child.
CHOC offers the only pediatric pulmonary hypertension program in Orange County. Our pulmonologists participate in the program, which provides multidisciplinary care that eliminates the need for multiple appointments and brings together specialists who work together to treat the patient. Learn more about our pulmonary hypertension program.

Home Ventilation Services

young patient sitting in cribCHOC is dedicated to providing our patients and families the support they need when discharged with mechanical-assisted ventilation to their homes. We offer training and education to your family to enable your child to participate more fully in their family life, school, and even go on family vacations. Learn more about our mechanical ventilation services.

Pulmonology Locations

Exterior view of CHOC Orange Clinic
CHOC Clinic – Specialty Care

Building: CHOC Clinic | 1201 W. La Veta Ave. | Orange, CA 92868 | 888-770-2462

Map showing location of CHOC Children’s Health Center at PIH Health
CHOC Health Center at PIH Health

15725 E Whittier Blvd, #300 | Whittier, CA 90603 | Appointments: 888-770-2462

Map showing location of CHOC Children's Health Center Mission Viejo
CHOC Health Center, Mission Viejo

26691 Plaza, Suite 130 | Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Map showing location of CHOC Children’s Health Center, Huntington Beach
CHOC Health Center, Huntington Beach

19582 Beach Blvd., Suite 380 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | 888-770-2462

Map showing location of CHOC Children's Health Center Corona
CHOC Health Center, Corona

854 Magnolia Ave - #101 | Corona, CA 92879 | 888-770-2462

Exterior view of CHOC Children's Mission Hospital
CHOC at Mission Hospital Sleep Center

27700 Medical Center Rd. | Mission Viejo, CA 92691 | 949-365-2309

CHOC Sleep Center Building Exterior
CHOC Sleep Center

530 S. Main Street, Suite 100 | Orange, CA 92868-3874 | 714-509-8651

Meet the Team

Chin, Chana I. MD

Specialty: Pulmonology
Appointments: 888-770-2462
Office: 714-509-8622

Dr Chana Chin is board certified in pediatric pulmonology who treats kids and teens in Orange County.

Gage, Susan MD

Specialty: Pulmonology
Appointments: 888-770-2462

Dr. Gage is board certified in pediatrics and treats kids with lung conditions at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Hicks, David A. MD

Specialties: Pulmonology, Neonatology
Office: 714-509-4373

Dr. Hicks is a board certified neonatologist who provides comprehensive care for critically ill premature and full-term infants at CHOC Hospital.

Hicks, Timothy MD

Specialty: Pulmonology
Office: 714-509-7679

Dr. Timothy D, Hicks is a pulmonologist and is board certified in pediatrics, and pediatric pulmonology who treats kids and teens in Orange County.

Hong, Hanna MD

Specialty: Pulmonology

Dr Hong is board certified in pediatric pulmonology and is on staff at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Itagaki, Cecile NP

Specialty: Pulmonology
Appointments: 888-770-2462
Office: 714-509-8709

Cecile Itagaki is a nurse practitioner who specializes in the care of pulmonary disorders in kids at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Kamath, Sunil P. MD

Specialty: Pulmonology
Appointments: 888-770-2462
Office: 714-509-8622

Dr. Kamath is the Medical Director of Respiratory, Pulmonary and Blood Gas Services.

Lewinter, Katherine MD

Specialty: Pulmonology
Appointments: 714-509-7983
Office: 714-509-7983

Dr. Lewinter is a pulmonologist and is board certified in pediatrics, and pediatric pulmonology who treats kids and teens in Orange County.

Lind, Emma NP

Specialty: Pulmonology
Office: 714-509-7679

Emma Lind is a nurse practitioner who provides care for kids and teens at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Nakra, Neal MD

Specialty: Pulmonology
Appointments: 888-770-2462
Office: 714-509-8622

Dr. Nakra is board certified in pediatrics, pediatric pulmonary and sleep medicine and treats kids with lung conditions at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Poulin, Danielle NP

Specialty: Pulmonology
Appointments: 888-770-2462
Office: 714-509-7679

Danielle Poulin is a nurse practitioner who specializes in the care of pulmonology disorders in kids at CHOC Hospital in Orange.

Strok, Jonathan NP

Specialty: Pulmonology

Jonathan Strok is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner who provides care for kids and teens at CHOC Hospital in Orange.