Emergency icon Important Updates
Department Pulmonary Medicine
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.444.6503
Desk:
216.444.7655
Fax:
216.636.5384

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans
  • Connective Tissue Diseases
  • Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
  • Lung Dominant Connective Tissue Disease
  • Radiation Fibrosis - Lung
  • Rheumatoid Lung Disease
  • Sarcoidosis
View all 9 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

Is Cleveland Clinic Part of Your Insurance?

Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

View All Plans
Biography

About Brian Southern, MD

Dr. Southern is a Staff Physician in the Respiratory Institute and Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He has a secondary appointment as an Associate Staff Scientist in the Lerner Research Institute Department of Pathobiology, where his research focus is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Dr. Southern explores how fibroblasts and myofibroblasts (the scar-producing cells in IPF) interact with lung tissue matrix to propagate fibrosis. He has identified that the molecular motor protein, non-muscle myosin II, is a critical molecule driving fibrosis, and is further characterizing the myosin II pathway in fibroblasts in order to identify novel targets to halt fibrosis in patients with IPF.

In addition to his research activities, Dr. Southern conducts an outpatient clinic where he cares for patients with interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis, and he is a co-investigator on a number of clinical trials for patients with IPF. He serves as the physician leader for the Cleveland area Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group. He is also very active in social media (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idiopathicPF/; Twitter: @TodayIPF) where he provides the latest research, treatment options, and news for patients with IPF and their families.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2012

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Case Western Reserve University - University Hospitals of Cleveland
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Cleveland, OH USA
2012

Residency - Case Western Reserve University - University Hospitals of Cleveland
Internal Medicine
Cleveland, OH USA
2009

Medical Education - University of Alabama School of Medicine
Birmingham, AL USA
2003

Undergraduate - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL USA
1996

Professional Highlights

  • Dr. Southern has been invited to present his research findings at local and national meetings, including the American Thoracic Society International Conference, the Keystone Symposium on Fibrosis,and the Society for Clinical Research/Midwestern Section American Federation for Medical Research (CSCR/MWAFMR).  He has been awarded research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Parker B Francis Foundation, Genentech, Inc., and the Cleveland Clinic Research Program Committee.  He has served as a grant reviewer for the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, and the Cleveland Clinic Research Program Committee. He reviews manuscripts for a number of scientific journals. He also supervises pulmonary fellows in the Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic and on the inpatient pulmonary consult service. Additionally, he serves as a volunteer physician at the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland. 

Certifications

  • Internal Medicine - Critical Care Medicine
  • Internal Medicine - Pulmonary Disease

Specialty Interests

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Interstitial Lung Diseases, Sarcoidosis

Awards & Honors

  • 2017 NIH K08 Award
  • 2017 Parker B Francis Fellowship Award (declined)
  • 2017 Parker B Francis Research Opportunity Award
  • 2015 Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Summit, Top Ten Abstract
  • 2015 Genentech Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Junior Faculty Award
  • 2014 Cleveland Clinic Research Program Committees Award
  • 2012 Travel Award, ATS Assembly on Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
  • 2009 The Peter Morgan Award, for outstanding leadership as a senior resident

Memberships

  • American Thoracic Society
  • American Society for Matrix Biology
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Brian Southern, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 2/5/2024, Dr. Southern has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

162 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
5 out of 5
Explains 5
Listens 5
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 5
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

44 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

Dr. Southern is excellent. Very fortunate he is my pulmonologist

Reviewed on Mar 14, 2024

I would highly recommend Doctor and Cleveland clinic. Dr. Southern made you feel as if you were the only person he had as a patient and gave you as much time as needed to answer questions and explain things.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024

Dr Southern is the best pulmonary doctor I have seen and will continue my care with him.

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2024

Dr Southern was very caring and understanding. I felt informed and respected for my questions. I look forward to what lies ahead!

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2024

Doctor Southern always explains the results of my tests and answers all of my questions

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2024

Much better than my past doctor experiences. He really listens to me. Dr Southern is kind and thoughtful.

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2024

I tell all my friends how excellent the care is at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Southern is an excellent doctor.

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2024

Dr.B Southern treated us very nicely, spend quality time and explain all my health issues with us.very thanks to him

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2024

He was very patient, caring and easy to talk to. If there was a higher rating I would give it .

Reviewed on Jan 12, 2024

Dr. Southern is an exceptional doctor and person. He is always caring and considerate while explaining everything clearly and providing clear paths forward in my treatment which provides me peace of mind

Reviewed on Dec 18, 2023

Of all the health care providers I have received treatment from Dr Southern is the most professional and competent yet warm and compassionate.

Reviewed on Dec 18, 2023

Dr Southern and his staff are very efficient in ordering tests and prescriptions discussed in the visit

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2023

My appointments with Dr. Southern and his team are always pleasant and on time.

Reviewed on Dec 1, 2023

Dr. Southern is a very caring man and great caregiver. He listens and then answers in understandable terms.

Reviewed on Nov 30, 2023

Dr Southern was very informative, explained things and answered all of our questions.

Reviewed on Nov 30, 2023

We feel very confident with the first visit and that I will be in good hands with any procedures/ treatment received at the clinic and with Dr Southern

Reviewed on Nov 17, 2023

Lots of doctors seem conflicted in telling you the tough things you want to know. Dr. Southerland was direct, and easy to connect with

Reviewed on Nov 3, 2023

A wonderful experience! I am very glad I saw him and that he is my doctor.

Reviewed on Oct 27, 2023

Very good doctor

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023

Dr.Southern is an excellent physician. He is knowledgeable and

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023

Dr Southern is a wonderful, caring physician.

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

I love dr southern. He is kind, thoughtful, respectful. I would recommend him to anyone

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

Dr Southern by far has been the most caring and most knowledgeable doctor I have never seen. He took over an hour with me, answered all my questions, and I am at peace with my scary lung condition under his care.

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2023

Dr Southern is my favorite doctor I have seen to date. He was very kind, respectful, and most importantly patient with me and my family. I never once felt rushed and he truly seemed to care about my needs and concerns while thoroughly explaining everything to me.

Reviewed on Aug 25, 2023

*Dr. Southern is a very special doctor and person. He has provided excellent care for me and has recommended several other clinic doctors to me over the years for other medical problems.

Reviewed on Aug 24, 2023

Dr. Southern took the time to listen and explain and include me in my treatment.

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2023

I have always been very impressed with Dr Southern's manner. He explains the condition of my lungs in a way that I can understand and seems genuinely concerned that I get the best care possible.

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2023

I've learned more in my 2 visits with Dr. Southern than I have since I was first diagnosed. Takes me 5-6 hours to get to Cleveland but it was worth every minute of the trip!

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2023

Dr Southern was great. He listened to all issues I had last and present. He went through records to try to understand my problems better. He talked to me in way that he understood how my issues was making me feel unlike many providers before him. He put me on a plan to help resolve some issues along with following up with other records he didn't have in his office that day. Once lab work and test come back we will have a follower up conference call and he schedule me to come back in six month. I have nothing but wonderful to say about Dr Southern.

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023

Dr. Southern is very compassionate and takes the time necessary to explain his diagnosis and treatment

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023

Dr. Southern has always been both very informative and easy to engage with.

Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023

The pulmonary department runs very smoothly starting at check-in to scheduling next appointment. People giving the tests are friendly and encouraging. Doctor Southern is easy to understand and he cares about his patients.

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2023

I have looking for answers about sarcoidosis and I finally found a doctor who understood me, and my symptoms. Dr. Southern was excellent!!

Reviewed on Jul 14, 2023

I couldn't have asked for a better doctor. Dr. Southern was concerned, professional and so very patient about all my questions and went above and beyond to explain and show me, on my CT Scan, everything I needed to know. He also discussed with me what I need to do in the future to stay healthy and keep up to date on any changes in my condition

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2023

I have total faith in Dr. B. Southern regarding my care with pulmonary fibrosis.

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2023

I felt just as well cared for and informed with the video visit as I do with in-person visits. Depending on the patient's conditions, it is certainly a very effective and easy way to have an important doctor visit.Dr. Southern is wonderful, very knowledgeable, and caring.Thank you so much!

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2023

Dr. Brian Southern was exceptionally good at listening to me. I have been suffering with my lungs for many many years without answers. I had tears in my eyes because he was willing to listen and he cared about what I had to say.

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2023

Dr. Southern is my pulmonologist for the last few years. Great doctor and very nice man. Staff is great from reception to pulmonary function test crew.

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2023

I sing their praises to anyone looking for a great doctor, great care.

Reviewed on May 19, 2023

Dr Southern is the most caring, kind, patient medical professional that I have ever seen. He saved my life after several misdiagnoses from providers in Michigan. I am so happy I made the decision to visit CC.

Reviewed on Apr 20, 2023

Cleveland clinic is quick to get you in to testing and in to see the DrDr.Southern has always been willing to help us in any way,We would give him a 10.

Reviewed on Apr 20, 2023

Dr.Southern is the best.

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2023

Dr. B. Southern is very caring and easy to understand. I like him very much as my doctor.

Reviewed on Apr 6, 2023

Excellent treatment by Dr. Southern & his staff.

Back to Top