Cystic Fibrosis Center Names New Co-Director and Associate Director

The Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Lurie Children's named John B. Palla, MD, as the new Co-Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center. Dr. Palla most recently served as the Associate Director and was recruited to Lurie Children's in 2022 for his clinical expertise in CF as well as his interest in health disparities. Dr. Palla continues to address the known racial and ethnic disparities within the pediatric CF population through clinical research, quality improvement initiatives, education, and advocacy. His current work examines the disproportionate underrepresentation of minorities in CF research clinical trials and the overrepresentation of minorities with CF pulmonary exacerbations. 

Danielle Beachler, MD, was recently named Associate Director of the CF center. Dr. Beachler joined the division in November 2024 coming from Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin Texas, where she served as the CF center director and participated in the aerodigestive program for 10 years. In addition to her role as Associate Director of the Lurie Children’s CF center she remains the pulmonary lead for the Lurie Children’s Aerodigestive Program. Dr. Beachler has more than fifteen years of experience and  her clinical interests include: Aerodigestive issues, Cystic Fibrosis, Non-CF bronchiectasis, Asthma and Chronic Lung Disease. She enjoys collaborative care and participating in multidisciplinary clinics that improve the health and quality of life for some of the sickest and most complicated patients.  

Expressing her appreciation for the new CF center leadership team, Interim Division Head, Dr. Maria Dowell, said “People with cystic fibrosis and their families continually inspire us to advance the quality of care at our center. Although several groundbreaking treatments in recent years have helped people with cystic fibrosis live a longer, healthier life, there is still much work to be done. Drs. Palla and Beachler have the expertise and passion to keep us moving forward on our path to a cure.”