Decatur County Memorial Hospital is excited to announce we have expanded our pulmonary program of excellence. Dr. Thomas Ferry has joined our outpatient clinic as a full-time Pulmonologist.
Dr. Ferry was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has had a diverse career in health care having been a nurse, physician, clinical researcher and educator alike. He received his undergrad at Ball State University, and later received his Doctor of Medicine Degree at Southern Illinois University in Springfield, Illinois. Dr. Ferry completed both his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ferry proudly served as an officer in the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserves and the Indiana National Guard for more than 14 years. He also has more than 18 years of clinical experience in private practice. Dr. Ferry is considered a subject matter expert in pulmonary drug toxicity and has authored several scientific publications. He also served as Senior Medical Advisor for Eli Lilly in drug safety but realized his true passion is direct patient care. His special interests include interventional bronchoscopy, thoracic oncology and interstitial lung disease.
In his free time, Dr. Ferry enjoys music, singing, theatre, travel and sports. He is an avid swimmer, runner and biking enthusiast. He is active in his church community as well as with the Indianapolis Humane Society. He comes from a family of physicians and is looking forward to working side by side with his sister, Dr. Mary Rose McCullough.
“I am excited to be joining the staff at DCMH and the community here in Decatur County.”
Dr. Ferry will be seeing patients three days a week in the outpatient clinic and will be providing both inpatient and outpatient services at the hospital.
As a pulmonologist, or pulmonary disease specialist, Dr. Ferry possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases.
Five Common Reasons to See a Pulmonologist:
COPD. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease involves abnormalities in the lungs that make it difficult to exhale normally. Excessive inflammatory processes eventually lead to these abnormalities in the lung’s structure that permanently obstruct airflow. Two common conditions leading to COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Chronic Cough. Cough can be acute or chronic. The most common cause of acute cough is an acute respiratory infection. Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting for more than 3 weeks. A chronic cough may be a signal that a significant health problem exists.
Asthma. Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, but can also affect adults. Asthma is a condition in which the bronchial tubes in the lungs react to stimuli and become inflamed. This produces symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. Severe asthma is a serious health concern that can lead to respiratory failure or even death.
Lung Cancer. Lung cancer is caused by the rapid growth and division of cells in the lungs. When cells divide too much and too fast, a tumor forms. If the tumor is confined and does not invade surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered benign. Although, if the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered malignant, or cancerous.
Breathing Problems. Difficulty breathing is uncomfortable, tiring, and can be a sign of a serious lung condition. To make sure you are not facing a more serious health problem, consulting a Pulmonologist may be the first step in getting you back on track.
If you suffer with one of these ailments, or have any concerns, please call 812-663-1311 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ferry.