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St. Luke's Cystic Fibrosis Center of Idaho

At St. Luke's Cystic Fibrosis Center of Idaho, we bring together a variety of specialists with expertise in the medical and emotional issues people with cystic fibrosis face. As the only care center in Idaho accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, our goals are to optimize the health of our patients and families through top-quality healthcare and education, and improve the quality and length of life for children and adults living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Our services include:

  • Medical and nutritional care to achieve normal growth and good nutrition
  • Therapies proven to slow the progression of lung decline and decrease the frequency of pulmonary exacerbations
  • Diagnosis and aggressive treatment of pulmonary exacerbations to minimize the loss of lung function
  • Monitoring for complications of CF, especially CF-related diabetes mellitus, and treating complications when they arise
  • Behavioral health counseling to help overcome problems related to depression and anxiety, stress, or keeping up with your CF treatments
  • Active participation in research to improve the understanding of CF and find new therapies to control and cure CF

Our team looks forward to caring for you over many years, connecting with you regularly to support your best health and quality of life. This way, we're able to bring you advancements in cystic fibrosis therapies and medications, review and simplify your care plan if possible, and ensure you're prepared to minimize risk of complications. 

Accreditation by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Accreditation by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Excellence in Care, Education, and Research

We are proud to be accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) as a program that supports both pediatric and adult patients and meets high standards in patient care; ongoing patient, provider, and community education; and contributions to cystic fibrosis research.


The CFF also tracks each accredited center's statistics, measuring our adult and pediatric programs against national benchmarks.

Providers

  • Pediatrics

    Biography

    Perry Brown Jr., MD, FAAP is a board certified pediatrician specializing in cystic fibrosis and was a co-founder of the St. Luke's Cystic Fibrosis Center of Idaho. He has helped lead the center's cystic fibrosis research program, and currently serves on the National Steering Committee for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Therapeutics Development Network. He is also the research medical director for St. Luke's pediatric subspecialties.

    Dr. Brown serves as the director of pediatric education for the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, and as the site director for medical student rotations in pediatrics for the University of Washington School of Medicine and the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.

    Dr. Brown has been awarded the Idaho Hospital Association Award of Excellence in Patient Care, the Ada County Medical Society Physician of the Year, the Idaho Health Care Hero designation, and the Ron Lemire WWAMI Pediatrics Leadership and Teaching Award. He has authored numerous publications related to cystic fibrosis research.

    In his free time, Dr. Brown enjoys outdoor adventures with his family and friends. In particular, he enjoys hiking, fly fishing, skiing, and snowshoeing.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Nutrition Services for Children

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Rebecca Headley, MSW, LCSW, has worked in both community mental health and medical settings. She has provided services in skilled nursing, home health and hospice care, and within acute hospital settings, including inpatient medical units and emergency departments. She has also worked with hospitalized patients following traumatic accidents or events, those experiencing significant health complications related to substance use, and patients diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.

    Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Duquesne University, and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Chicago. She has a personal interest in adaptive outdoor recreation with individuals with disabilities, as well as her own personal outdoor pursuits, such as trail running, snowboarding, and rock climbing.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Pediatric Pulmonology

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • General Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care

    Biography

    Darren Klassen, PA-C is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He earned his bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from Weber State University, and practiced as a respiratory therapist before becoming a physician assistant. He earned his master's degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Utah School of Medicine, and has worked in primary care.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • General Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care

    Biography

    Karen S. Miller, MD served as chief medical resident at Jerry L. Pettis VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, and performed her pulmonary-critical care fellowship at the University of New Mexico.

    Dr. Miller earned her bachelor's degree in English from Goshen College and her master's degree in English from Wright State University. She taught high school and college English before embarking on a career in medicine.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Physical Therapy

    Biography

    Sky Pajak, MS, PT is a physical therapist at the Cystic Fibrosis Center of Idaho and has worked as a pediatric physical therapist and an early intervention therapist. She has experience in both home and inpatient care settings.

    After working with pediatric patients with CF and attending the Cystic Fibrosis Boot Camp, she became more interested in the complex care of CF patients and was able to bring physical therapy to the CF clinic.

    Sky earned her bachelor's degree in exercise science and her master's degree in physical therapy both from the University of Montana. She is an avid rafter, skier, and loves camping and hiking with her family.

    Favorite Therapy Toys: ones without batteries that make noise forever.

  • Biography

    Andrew Reger, DO received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaignu prior to his medical education.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Family Medicine

    Biography

    Elizabeth Rulon, MD has interests in preventive health, women's health, and complementary and alternative medicine. She especially enjoys her work with cystic fibrosis patients and their care team.

    In her free time, Dr. Rulon enjoys soccer, running, reading, and enjoying the outdoors with her family.

  • Nutrition Services

    Biography

    Shannon Stamper, RD is a registered dietitian serving both children and adults, with special focus in pediatric nutrition, healthy weight gain, and cystic fibrosis. She is passionate about improving body image and increasing motivation for physical activity using bioelectrical impedance analysis. For her cystic fibrosis patients, Shannon develops clear and concise plans based on her patients' unique dietary needs and provides additional advocacy and support as an active member of the St. Luke's Cystic Fibrosis Center of Idaho's patient and family advisory board (PFAB).

    Shannon earned her bachelor's degree in dietetics from Oregon State University and completed her dietetic internship and Idaho State University's Meridian Health Science Center. 

    In her free time, she likes spending time with the important people in her life, fixing up her home, watching Netflix, hiking, and exploring Idaho.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • General Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care

    Biography

    Brent Taylor, PA-C is a certified physician assistant with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and is an experienced respiratory therapist.

    Brent earned his bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy from Boise State University and his master's degree in physician assistant studies at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology

    Biography

    Henry Thompson, MD is a pediatric gastroenterologist, specializing in gastrointestinal and liver-related conditions and procedures. He enjoys working with children, educating them about their medical conditions and empowering them to own their medical issues. He is particularly passionate about nutrition, physical fitness and moderation of screen time, encouraging his patients and their families to maintain healthy lifestyles. 

    Dr. Thompson is committed to educating his colleagues as well, often leading residents and colleagues in care improvement initiatives. He currently serves as the medical subspecialty director at St. Luke's Children's, medical director of pediatric gastroenterology, and co-director of the pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) program at the St. Luke's Cystic Fibrosis Center of Idaho. He has led multiple cystic fibrosis research studies as principal investigator and supported many others as a sub-investigator.

    Prior to his medical education, Dr. Thompson earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Lewis and Clark College. In his free time, he enjoys biking and all the outdoor activities Idaho has to offer.

  • Pediatric Pulmonology

    Biography

    Benjamin M. Tippets DO, MPH has special interests in asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and children requiring home ventilation. In addition to the pediatric pulmonology clinic, he is involved in the multidisciplinary cystic fibrosis and tracheostomy and ventilator clinics, as well as outreach clinics in Fruitland and Twin Falls. He also participates with St Luke’s Sports Medicine and Justin Sports Medicine teams in providing arena-side care for rodeo performers.

    Prior to medical school, Dr. Tippets earned an associate’s degree in science from Rick’s College, a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Brigham Young University, and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Utah.

    In his free time, Dr. Tippets enjoys farming, woodworking, and spending time with his wife and family, including desert motorbike riding.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     
    • St. Luke's Health Partner
      St. Luke's Health Partner

      These providers work together to achieve patient-centered care, using proven best practices to offer better care to you and your family.

    • Specialties, Conditions & Treatments

  • Pediatric Behavioral Health

    Biography

    Emma Wade, LCSW is a mental health therapist working with children, adolescents and their families. She enjoys partnering with individuals and families to navigate life’s stressors and create lasting positive change. Emma specializes in working with a range of concerns including mood disorders, behavioral problems, anxiety, and chronic illness. She utilizes cognitive behavioral, acceptance and commitment, solution-focused and mindfulness-based therapy techniques.

    Emma earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colorado College and her master’s degree in social work from the University of Montana. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, traveling, crafting and reading mystery novels.

    Availability

    Accepting new patients
     

Conditions

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disease that causes mucus to become thick and sticky, affecting organs such as the lungs and the pancreas.

Articles & Resources

  • showing 4 of 4
  • Article

    Cystic Fibrosis

  • Blog Post

    Cutting-Edge CF Research: Extending and Improving Lives

  • Article

    Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes

  • Article

    Vitamins and Cystic Fibrosis

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