Karina A. Serban, MD Make an Appointment Ask a Question Refer Patient Karina A. Serban, MD, is a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health. Dr. Serban is in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. Assistant Professor Department of Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine 5280 Top Doctors 2022 Previously a 5280 Top Doctor America’s Top Doctors 2015 — Castle Connolly, Medical, Ltd. Recognized in America’s Top Doctors — Castle Connolly, Inc. Best Doctors in America® 2019-2020 — Best Doctors, Inc. Recognized in Best Doctors in America® — Best Doctors, Inc. America’s Top Doctors 2020 — Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd. Email Profile Print Profile Patient Rating 4.8 out of 5 stars 109 Patient Ratings 47 Patient Comments Overview Contact Info & Locations Patient Ratings & Comments Programs & Services Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Program Bronchiectasis Treatment Program COPD Program Department of Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine (Adult) Specialties & Conditions Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Overview Chronic Bronchitis Chronic Cough Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema Research Areas Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Overview Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Special Interests Clinical interests chronic obstructive airway diseases (e.g. emphysema, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema) and chronic cough Research interests I conduct basic and translational research focused on the cross talk between inflammation and immune responses in emphysema and alpha-1 anti-trypsin deficiency. I specifically look at the anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory role of alpha-1 antitrypsin on macrophages functions and endothelial cell-monocyte interactions. Education Education Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Bucharest, Romania), M.D. Residency Marius Nasta National Institute of Pulmonology (Bucharest, Romania) , Pulmonary Medicine The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science (North Chicago, IL) , Internal Medicine Fellowship Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis / Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine (Indianapolis, IN) , Pulmonary and Critical Care Board Certification 10/2013: ABIM Critical Care Medicine Certification Examination 11/2012: ABIM Pulmonary Medicine Certification Examination 8/2010: ABIM Internal Medicine Certification Examination Professional Memberships American Thoracic Society Publications Lockett AD, Petrusca DN, Justice MJ, Poirier C, Serban KA, Rush NI, Kamocka M, Predescu DN, Predescu SA, Petrache I. Scavenger Receptor Class B, Type 1 mediated uptake of Alpha-1 antitrypsin by pulmonary endothelial cells, Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2015 Jun 19, [Epub ahead of print], PMID: 26092999 McCaslin CA, Petrusca DN, Poirier C, Serban KA, Anderson GG, Petrache I, Impact of alginate-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa on alveolar macrophage apoptotic cell clearance, J Cyst Fibros. 2015 Jan; 14(1):70-7, PMID: 25027418 Lockett AD, Brown MB, Santos-Falcon N, Rush NI, Oueini H, Oberle AJ, Bolanis E, Fragoso MA, Petrusca DN, Serban KA, Schweitzer KS, Presson RG Jr, Campos M, Petrache I. Active trafficking of alpha 1 antitrypsin across the lung endothelium, PLoS One. 2014 Apr 17; 9(4), PMID: 24743137. I Petrache, KA Serban, Emphysema. Pathobiology of Human Disease, a dynamic encyclopedia of disease mechanism, Elsevier Publishing group, online August, 2014 A Lockett, M Van Demark, Y Gu, K S. Schweitzer, N Sigua, K Kamocki, I Fijalkowska, J Garrison, A Fisher, K Serban, R A. Wise, T Flotte, R G. Presson, H I. Petrache, R M Tuder, I Petrache, Effect of cigarette smoke exposure and structural modifications on the alpha-1 antitrypsin interaction with caspases, Mol. Med, Jan 2012, PMID: 22245800 Hospital Affiliations Rose Medical CenterSt. Joseph Hospital - DenverSwedish Medical Center Website Information Petrache Lab Languages English Conflicts of Interest National Jewish Health physicians and scientists may collaborate with pharmaceutical or other industries to develop medical and scientific breakthroughs or to provide education on trends in quality medical practice and outcomes to physicians and health professionals around the country. National Jewish Health maintains a strict conflict of interest policy to ensure that all potential conflicts are clearly visible and that management plans are put in place in order to further innovation and education while ensuring the protection of our patients and the integrity of our research. National Jewish Health publicly discloses any payment to our physicians or scientists. View this faculty member’s industry relationships and collaborations. Ask a Question through MyChart Sign in to your MyChart account to communicate with your care team, manage appointments, and more. Create an Account Contact Information Office: 877.225.5654 Patient Ratings The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our independent rating system, the Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. This survey is about the patient care experience and does not address crucial characteristics like medical decision-making, prescribing the best therapy, and patient outcomes. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Learn more about our patient satisfaction survey. Provider showed concern 4.8 Friendliness 4.9 Spoke using clear language 4.9 Provider explained things clearly 4.8 Amount of time spent with you 4.9 Provider included you in decisions 4.8 Confidence in your doctor 4.8 Likelihood of recommending this provider 4.8 Comments Comments are collected in our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Surveys. Patients are de-identified to protect confidentiality and patient privacy. Learn more about our patient satisfaction survey. National Jewish Health Patient– March, 2023 Amazing doctors. National Jewish Health Patient– February, 2023 I travel to National Jewish specifically for the staff and their knowledge. National Jewish Health Patient– February, 2023 *Dr. Serban is the best. I feel 100% confident in everything she plans & does for my care. National Jewish Health Patient– February, 2023 I honestly called my wife on my way home because I could not wait to tell her that I had found the best doctor in the world after just my first appointment with dr. Serban. In the last 31 years of my adult life I had just accepted that the medical care I have received over my life is simply what is available. I have never felt more informed about my health, never more confident in my doctor, never more optimistic about my future and certainly I have never felt more valued by a doctor than I did after meeting with Doctor Serban. I could not be more pleased to have her as my Doctor! National Jewish Health Patient– January, 2023 Awesome. National Jewish Health Patient– January, 2023 The care provider is excellent but is truly limited in her ability to provide total care to Alpha 1 clients. Perhaps there should be more Alpha 1 providers & an acceptable response from the pharmaceutical companies in fulfilling requests for medications needed. Dr. Serban is excellent in her field. National Jewish Health Patient– December, 2022 I am still waiting for the clinics notes to be posted to the portal for this visit. National Jewish Health Patient– December, 2022 Dr Serban is very good. Genuine concern for hr patients. Very good at explaining things. National Jewish Health Patient– December, 2022 She is a great doctor! National Jewish Health Patient– December, 2022 Very knowledgable doctor. National Jewish Health Patient– November, 2022 She did a very good job. show more National Jewish Health Patient– November, 2022 Dr. Serban is very concerned and knowledgeable. She appeared interested in me as a person as well as in my condition, and was willing to go to extra lengths to provide me with the care I need. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with her. National Jewish Health Patient– November, 2022 A++ for *Dr. Serban. There can be none better. National Jewish Health Patient– October, 2022 *Dr. Karina Serban was amazing. She was humble, knowledgeable, kind, understanding, helpful, thorough, realistic, caring. She was worth the trip of flying from California to Denver. What a wonderful dr. National Jewish Health Patient– September, 2022 *Dr. Serban is excellent! Listens so well - very responsive and extremely interested in my health's care. *Dr. Serban. 2. Excellent! National Jewish Health Patient– September, 2022 Answered every question I had, had plenty of time for me and seems to care National Jewish Health Patient– August, 2022 *Dr. Serban is excellent. National Jewish Health Patient– August, 2022 *Dr. Serban spent 2 hours with me. She did not rush at all. I appreciate her thoroughness & genuine concern. National Jewish Health Patient– July, 2022 Everything about *Dr. Serban was excellent. We had a very good rapport. National Jewish Health Patient– June, 2022 Very courteous, professional and thorough with all explanations & treatment plan. National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 Dr. Serban was just x Elle that and we had a very engaging and informative discussion. Best physician interaction I've ever had! National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 *Dr. Serban spent time listening to me, thoughtfully reviewing and assessing the information I provided. I felt she truly cared about my medical condition and was committed to a proper diagnosis & plan of treatment. National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 Dr. Serban is the best National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 I have moved back to Pennsylvania but will continue my care with Dr. Serban as long as I am able. I find her to be caring and knowledgable in a way that is very rare. She has been perfect, honestly. Never alarmist but encouraging me to do appropriate testing and thoroughly explaining the results. I feel I am recieving excellent care. National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 Awesome! National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 Everyone was exceptional National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 Expert and compassionate, Dr Serban completely exceeded my expectations. She delved deeper into my history than any physician I have met with. She demonstrated 100% focus on me, my health, my well being and my future. She transformed my mood about my future with COPD from gloomy to hopeful and even fun. I cannot recommend Dr. Serban highly enough. National Jewish Health Patient– May, 2022 Dr Serban is absolutely terrific in every respect. National Jewish Health Patient– April, 2022 Very good experience! National Jewish Health Patient– April, 2022 *Dr. Serban was very good at listening to the whole questions before answering. National Jewish Health Patient– March, 2022 *Dr. Serban was great and I felt that I am in great care with her. National Jewish Health Patient– February, 2022 I appreciate that during my appointment that the focus is all about me and making sure that I understand everything that was discussed. National Jewish Health Patient– January, 2022 Dr. Serban is a knowledgeable and caring physician. National Jewish Health Patient– January, 2022 Dr. Serban is one of--if not the most--excellent physicians I've worked with (as a patient), over a span of more than 60 years. She is an active listener, explains everything in terms and concepts that are easy to understand, and she is patient and kind as she works with me. She displays confidence, and respect, with a very professional demeanor. While not practical, I would absolutely trust her to steward all of my medical care! National Jewish Health Patient– January, 2022 Dr. Serban is an absolute gem...i Have a very complicated medical situation and without her guidance and support it would be very challenging. National Jewish Health Patient– January, 2022 Outstanding care and very sincere attitude directed at all my issue. National Jewish Health Patient– September, 2021 Very impressed with this [doctor]. National Jewish Health Patient– September, 2021 Was pleased, impressed and appreciative of my discussion with *Dr. Serban - very knowledgeable in her field of expertise yet was able to relay that knowledge to me in an understandable manner - WOW! National Jewish Health Patient– September, 2021 *Dr. Serban is wonderful. National Jewish Health Patient– August, 2021 *Dr. Serban is excellent in listening to patient. She uses examples that help her patients understand their health problems easier. National Jewish Health Patient– July, 2021 Dr. Serban listened to my concerns and answered my questions when I had any. National Jewish Health Patient– July, 2021 [Comment about another doctor]. She is fantastic, I'm very impressed. National Jewish Health Patient– July, 2021 Dr. Serban is extremely knowledgeable and provides excellent care. National Jewish Health Patient– July, 2021 Dr. S is amazing - love her! National Jewish Health Patient– June, 2021 Dr. Serban is always concerned and very caring. I have the utmost confidence in her National Jewish Health Patient– June, 2021 *Dr. Serban is excellent in communicating & she happily attended to the problem we had getting test results that day. I could not wish for a better dr. National Jewish Health Patient– June, 2021 I feel very comfortable with Dr. Serban and her level of expertise.