The US COPD Coalition (USCC) is saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Brian L. Tiep, MD, a pulmonary physician and one of the nation’s foremost authorities on chronic lung disease. Dr. Tiep had a passion for helping patients with pulmonary disease, particularly COPD. He was an early and strong proponent of pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation.
At the time of his death on April 28, 2022, Dr. Tiep was Medical Director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Smoking Cessation at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA.
“I have known Dr. Teip for many years, and he has always been a patient-first physician. I never knew him to turn down an opportunity to help when it came to educating and advocating for patients and the clinicians who treat them”, said Sam Giordano, MBA. RRT, FAARC, Chair of the USCC Board of Directors.
Dr. Tiep’s desire to help his oxygen dependent patients led him to invent numerous oxygen conserving devices. His innovative designs have been incorporated into oxygen delivery devices throughout the world.
USCC was honored to have Dr. Tiep present a webinar in July, 2020 titled, “COPD and the Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation“. In the webinar, Dr. Tiep discussed COPD and related conditions and the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation practiced on a daily basis – which he stressed was particularly important in the face of COVID-19.
In 2020, Dr. Tiep was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Assembly of the American Thoracic Society.
“Dr Teip was a good friend to the US COPD Coalition and the entire COPD community”, said Giordano. “He will be missed.”