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
2012

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

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

Undergraduate - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
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 - 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

176 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 4.3
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 5
Patient Rating of Doctor 5

46 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Oct 17, 2024

It is always been a good experience working with Dr Southern by

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2024

Dr. Southern was very good

Reviewed on Sep 6, 2024

First time seeing Dr Southern he was very thorough and extremely Invformative.

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2024

Best Dr. ever!

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2024

Very kind doctor

Reviewed on Aug 23, 2024

Dr. Southern is very thorough and listens to my questions and concerns. He has made a difficult diagnosis as easy as possible with his kindness and professionalism.

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2024

Dr. Sothern was very nice. Explained everything nicely.

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2024

Dr.Brian is 1 in a million! Perfect in every way.

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2024

Dr Southern is a great Dr. He seems very compassionate and caring of his patients.

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2024

Dr. Was excellent

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2024

Dr. Southern is very thorough in his review of my test results and attentive to my questions

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2024

Dr Southern was exceptional at discussing my pulmonary fibrosis and answered all my questions. Was very impressed with Dr Southern, his assistant and everyone we had the privilege of working with. Highly recommend Cleveland clinic and Dr Southern.

Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024

Love dr Brian and his staff

Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024

Dr Brian is such a great person and Dr

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2024

Dr Southern takes such good care of me.

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2024

Appreciate the fact that Dr. Southern always has a treatment plan in place

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2024

Dr. Southern is a joy to work with. He gives clear and concise explanations and always answers my questions. I enjoy our meetings very much.

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2024

Please keep Dr. Southern on the Cleveland Clinic Team!

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2024

I'll be back whenever Dr. Southern feels it is essential for my health.

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2024

It was a pleasure to have a doctor who included me in my health care. He explained my scans to me and provided information I was not privileged to have shared in the past at other health care systems.

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2024

Dr Southern is the best doctor I have ever had. He listens, is compassionate, knowledgeable of every part of my treatment, and is aware the newest options for treatment.

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2024

Dr Southern is very kind and caring!

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2024

It is a pleasure working with Dr. Southern

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Dr was great very down to earth and listened to my concerns and is willing to work with my personal drs in my home town in Ny

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

Very impressed with Doctor!!!!

Reviewed on Apr 19, 2024

Very pleased with Dr Southern. He answered questions and explains

Reviewed on Apr 19, 2024

Dr Southern is a wonderful doctor. He takes time to hear my questions and give me answers, explains treatment options and expectations, along with having a genuine concern for me as a patient without making me ever feel rushed. It's wonderful having a doctor who I trust fully and that is so respectful of mine and my families concerns. I would recommend him to anyone

Reviewed on Apr 18, 2024

As I live 10 hours away, I appreciate Dr. Southern working with my PCP where I live.

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2024

Scheduleing was tough at first, trying to get an apt. But once l got In with Dr. Southern he was Beyond excellent.

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

Back to Top