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Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA

(27 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Pulmonology and Adult Critical Care

Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: lung issues, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and more.

11234 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92354

(909) 558-2896

Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA is a pulmonologist in Loma Linda, CA specializing in adult pulmonology and adult critical care. He graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA is affiliated with Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Clinics, SAC HEALTH SYSTEM, FACULTY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF LLUSM, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.

Office Locations

Address:

11234 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92354

Address:

11370 Anderson Street Suite 3200
Loma Linda, CA 92354

Some issues Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA can help you with:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the tissue and airways of the lungs become extremely sensitive to certain substances. When these substances are breathed in, the lungs become inflamed. The muscles around the airways tighten and squeeze the lungs, and passages within the lungs swell and tighten. The airways themselves produce mucus, which further clogs the tightened, swollen airways. A person having an asthma attack finds it very difficult to breathe, and a severe attack can even be fatal.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but people with asthma are most often diagnosed as children. Symptoms can include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some people have mild symptoms all the time, and some people have no symptoms at all, but everyone with asthma is susceptible to occasional severe attacks or flare-ups of symptoms when they are exposed to triggers. Triggers vary widely but can include:

Allergens (dust mites, pet fur, mold, pollen, grass)
Irritants (smoke, pollution, dust, chemicals)
Viral infections
Physical activity, especially outdoors
Certain medications or chemicals in foods (aspirin, sulfites)

Treatment for most asthma patients involves three steps. Patients learn what their asthma triggers are and avoid them. They take a daily control medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, they have rescue medication with them at all times to take in case of a severe attack. These quick-acting inhaled medications relax the muscles around the airways and allow the lungs to open up for air.

There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment it should not interfere with daily life and activities.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, is inserted in the mouth or nose and slowly advanced to the lungs. This allows doctors to see the respiratory tract, which includes the throat, larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways), and lungs. Doctors may recommend those who have or show signs of lung problems - for example, lung cancer or difficulty breathing - to undergo a bronchoscopy.

In performing a diagnostic bronchoscopy, doctors may only wish to visualize the respiratory tract, or doctors may also collect samples of tissue or fluid. The samples can help diagnose patients' conditions or, if patients have cancer, they can be used for staging purposes. One method for sample collection is bronchoalveolar lavage. In a bronchoalveolar lavage, doctors inject saline (salt water) through the bronchoscope and then suction it out of the airways. The washout collected is tested for lung disorders. Doctors can also insert a biopsy tool to collect tissue or mucus samples. The following are biopsies that can be performed by bronchoscopy:

Brush biopsy, which uses a brush to collect samples.
Endobronchial biopsy, which uses the bronchoscope to guide forceps to sample lung tissue.
Transbronchial biopsy, which uses forceps and image guidance - such as X-rays, CT scans, or fluoroscopy - to sample lung tissue.
Transbronchial fine needle aspiration (TBNA), which uses a small needle to take samples of the lymph nodes or lungs.

For visualization, bronchoscopy can be done alone, or it can be combined with ultrasound. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows real-time imaging of the airway and is used for diagnosing and staging lung cancer, as well as for determining where the cancer has spread. EBUS can be performed with TBNA, a procedure known as endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).

Doctors can also use bronchoscopy as a treatment for lung problems. For example, if a foreign body is trapped in the airway, doctors can insert forceps through the bronchoscope to remove it. If the airway has become narrowed - which may occur if patients have an infection, cancer, or some other inflammatory issue - bronchoscopy can be used to place a device called a stent in the area of constriction. The stent will keep the airway open, allowing the patient to breathe properly.

During a bronchoscopy, patients will be given medication (sedative) to help them relax. If it is only a diagnostic bronchoscopy, patients will be kept awake, but if the bronchoscopy is for therapeutic purposes, patients will be put to sleep by general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients will need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. They will not be able to eat or drink for about 2 hours. Some patients may experience discomfort, such as a sore throat or pain while swallowing. Throat lozenges and gargling may help alleviate these symptoms, which should go away after a few days. Patients will need to have someone drive them home once their doctor determines that they are ready.

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“Dr. Laren Tan, a pulmonologist at Loma Linda University Health in Southern California, notes that exhaustion, fatigue and sleepiness can be related to sleep apnea, a disease that can cause sleep...”—"13 signs your lungs may not be healthy", Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 2023

“"Those with lower socioeconomics tend to be more exposed to what's around them, and many of them know that's what's making it difficult to breathe, but they don't have the luxury to pick up and...”—"Amazon's neighbors near its California warehouses battle toxic fumes", NBC News, April 2021

“A nurse holds a COVID-19 patient's hand before she is intubated by a medical team led by pulmonologist Dr. Laren Tan, right, on Dec. 15 in the ICU at Loma Linda University Medical Center.”—"Celebrating Women Photographers: Gina Ferazzi", Los Angeles Times, March 2021

doctor visit	51
hospital care	70
inpatient care	70

**Gender**
Male	136
Female	144

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	160
Black	28
Hispanic	64
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	36
Less than 65	68

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	21
Ischemic Heart Disease	59
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	45
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	56
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	49
Diabetes	45
Dementia	21
Cancer	14

aspiration	16
bronchoscopy	14
catheterization	14
doctor visit	279
hospital care	147
hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy	105
inpatient care	147
pleural drainage	17
preventive care	22
vaccines	22

**Gender**
Male	166
Female	178

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	185
Black	49
Hispanic	72
Asian	26
Other	12
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	117
From 75 to 84	96
85 and over	48
Less than 65	83

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	62
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	66
Asthma	51
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	58
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	48
Diabetes	43
Dementia	24
Cancer	17

aspiration	19
bronchoscopy	32
catheterization	17
doctor visit	410
hospital care	124
hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy	54
inpatient care	124
preventive care	63
pulmonary testing	107
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	10
vaccines	63

**Gender**
Male	191
Female	242

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	258
Black	42
Hispanic	92
Asian	23
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	161
From 75 to 84	127
85 and over	46
Less than 65	99

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	58
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	54
Asthma	25
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	22
Heart Failure	51
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	44
Dementia	18
Cancer	13

aspiration	9
bronchoscopy	20
doctor visit	527
hospital care	63
hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy	47
inpatient care	63
preventive care	27
pulmonary testing	151
vaccines	27

**Gender**
Male	200
Female	290

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	300
Black	48
Hispanic	96
Asian	32
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	203
From 75 to 84	134
85 and over	48
Less than 65	105

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	57
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	49
Asthma	28
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	48
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	50
Diabetes	44
Dementia	16
Cancer	16

doctor visit	511
hospital care	76
inpatient care	76
pulmonary testing	144

**Gender**
Male	198
Female	251

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	267
Black	39
Hispanic	92
Asian	37
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	160
From 75 to 84	155
85 and over	40
Less than 65	94

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	30
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	50
Diabetes	41
Dementia	13
Cancer	16

doctor visit	313
hospital care	66
inpatient care	66
pulmonary testing	47

**Gender**
Male	164
Female	211

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	231
Black	35
Hispanic	66
Asian	30
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	147
From 75 to 84	108
85 and over	43
Less than 65	77

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	32
Osteoperosis	18
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	42
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	46
Diabetes	42
Dementia	19
Cancer	13

doctor visit	470
hospital care	144
hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy	32
inpatient care	144
pulmonary testing	116

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2015 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA treated as a pulmonologist in Loma Linda, CA were pulmonary testing, hospital care, inpatient care and preventive care.

aspiration	15
bronchoscopy	22
catheterization	15
doctor visit	366
hospital care	98
inpatient care	98
pleural drainage	17
preventive care	38
pulmonary testing	113
tracheal (windpipe) procedures	10
vaccines	38

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2015 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA.

**Gender**
Male	105
Female	131

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	24
Asian / Pacific Islander	14
Non-Hispanic White	140
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	48
Other	2

**Age**
85 and over	26
75 to 84	68
Less than 65	52
65 to 74	89

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA From 2015 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA treated were hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease and high cholesterol.

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	31
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	21
Osteoporosis	9
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	25
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Dementia	11
Cancer	8

Education & Training

Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He completed residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and has a state license in California.

Medical School: Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Loma Linda University Health

Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Clinics

SAC HEALTH SYSTEM

FACULTY PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF LLUSM

Loma Linda University Medical Center

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 27 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA from all over the web to help you find the right in Loma Linda, CA.

Overall Rating

(27 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	$112,146 DUPIXENT $98,117	DUPIXENT DUPILUMAB INJECTION $11,694	$2,335
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$52,279 SPIRIVA RESPIMAT $13,980	STIOLTO RESPIMAT $1,545	Spiriva $1,023	$35,730
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP	$34,836 FASENRA $24,700	BREZTRI AEROSPHERE $1,850	BREZTRI $950	$7,336
GENZYME CORPORATION	$34,637 DUPIXENT $34,585	ASTHMA - DISEASE $52
Boston Scientific Corporation	$25,577 GENERAL BRONCHIAL THERMOPLASTY $13,840	GENERAL - BRONCHIAL THERMOPLASTY $7,062	Alair $3,337	Therapies $744	General - Biliary Devices $334	Other $260
Other	$8,647 TRELEGY ELLIPTA $3,611	DUPIXENT $132	Prolastin-C $63	NUCALA $36	$4,805

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$158,406
Consulting Fee	$74,869
Travel and Lodging	$27,106
Food and Beverage	$7,699
Education	$42

Research Payments

Dr. Laren Dao-Wei Tan, MD, MBA has received 3 research payments totaling $24,570.

Biography

Dr. Laren Tan is a medical specialist in adult critical care and adult pulmonology. Patient ratings for Dr. Tan average 5.0 stars (out of 5). His clinical interests include bronchoscopy, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He obtained his medical school training at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and performed his residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He is affiliated with Loma Linda University Health.