Lawrence Pulmonary Specialists

Medicine wasn’t always the career path that Vance Burns thought he’d follow, but whatever he did, he wanted to be in a career where he met people. 
“I grew up on a farm and I wanted to work in a field where I could combine meeting people with fixing things. I am blending science, humanities and the arts, and I want to stay connected to people and patients. Those connections are important.” 
Dr. Burns was serving in the United States Air Force on September 11, 2001, and was soon deployed overseas. That experience helped solidify his interest in pulmonology. 
"During that time, I was working as an internal medicine doctor. Part of that was running ventilators and life support, working with combat wounded and critically ill people. After I got home, I pursued a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at the University of Kansas.” 
Why should patients get care at LMH Health? Dr. Burns said that’s easy – it's a health system where your providers know you.  
“As a patient, I want to go someplace where they know me by memory, not what’s typed on my chart. LMH Health is just the right size. When there’s a place that’s too big, you start to lose connections. It it’s too small, you start to lose technical ability. LMH is just the right mix of both.” 

“I’ve never thought of anything else other than being a physician. Even as a little girl, playing with my dolls and I had a clinic I named ‘The Little Corner.’ I’ve always wanted to care for people.”

Dr. Sonia Castillo was born and raised in Nicaragua. She earned her medical degree from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua before completing an internal medicine residency and a pulmonary/critical care fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

She pursued pulmonology during her residency after seeing the pulmonary and critical care program firsthand.

“The physicians in the pulmonary program are compassionate and treat patients as a whole. Seeing that modeled and evaluating patients holistically is what really attracted me to pulmonology.”

Dr. Castillo treats patients living with a variety of pulmonary diseases, from the most common such as emphysema, COPD and asthma to less frequent ones.

“I thrive with procedures, and I love explaining to patients what we’re walking into and what we’ll do with the results. I also love working with point of care ultrasound. With new technology, we can do those right at the bedside and show patients what you’re seeing.”

What should patients expect from Dr. Castillo? It’s important that they know she wants to meet them where they are.

“First appointments can be nerve-wracking, because you don’t know how it’s going to go. This is going to be a long-term relationship, and I genuinely care about my patients. I want to get to know you, your family and make sure you feel that you’ve been heard. I’m here to help and provide you the best care I can.”

Dr. Osbern received her internal medicine training at the University of Kansas Medical Center. During her internship and residency, she annually received the Outstanding Intern/Resident Award. Medical students honored her with the Jayhawker M.D. Resident Teacher Award. She received the American Lung Association Fellowship Award annually during her pulmonary fellowship at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake. Dr. Osbern is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and the American College of Physicians. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine.

Dr. Clarissa (Claire) Smith earned undergraduate degrees in clinical laboratory science and orchestral instruments from the University of Kansas and her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Smith completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Kansas Health System and a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at the University of Chicago.

Jeremy Strom, MD, earned his undergraduate degree at Graceland College in Lamoni, IA, and his medical degree at the Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. He completed his internal medicine and pediatrics residency and a pulmonary/critical care medicine fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care.

Amy Arthington was 10 years old when her grandfather had knee replacement surgery. That’s when she knew nursing was her calling. 
“He was my hero and I didn’t like seeing him in the hospital bed. On the way home, I told my grandmother that I wanted to be a nurse. She questioned how that could be since I’d been so uncomfortable. I told her it was because I couldn't fix him and I wanted to be able to help.” 
Arthington earned her undergraduate degree from Fort Hays State University and has been a nurse for more than 30 years. She worked with oncology and pulmonology patients for nine years and was ready to help people in a more advanced way, so Arthington earned her master’s degree from Maryville University and became a nurse practitioner. 
“I’ve dedicated my life to nursing. I thrive having one on one contact with my patients and watching them make progress over time. I love being able to make a difference every day.”

Tamara Zey, APRN, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Missouri and her masters from Graceland University. Zey is a member the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
“I choose to become an APRN because I wanted to advance my ability to help my patients and education.”
Zey began her APRN career in an allergy, asthma and immunology clinic. She enjoyed working with patients to improve their breathing. After witnessing a family member’s encounter with pulmonary care, she was influenced to enter pulmonology. Zey specializes in providing asthma care.
“What I enjoy about being an APRN is getting to know the patient and working with them to understand the treatment plan and next steps.”
Outside of work, Zey enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids.
“I understand what it’s like to have a family member with chronic respiratory ailments. If someone doesn’t pay attention to you in the medical field, it can feel like you are on your own. Because of my professional experience and with my family, I know it is important that I empower my patients to advocate for themselves as well as advocate for them.”