Pulmonary Medicine

Pulmonary Medicine is the specialty that is concerned with disorders of the lungs and other components of the respiratory system. At BVMA, our pulmonologist provides comprehensive care, diagnosis and treatment to patients with diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, pneumonia and tuberculosis. Pulmonologists also perform specialized procedures to obtain samples of the lining of the chest wall, the lung wall; or of the lung itself. Pulmonary function testing, pulse oximetry and chest x-rays can all be done at our facility. BVMA is also proud to offer smoking cessation counseling as part of our pulmonary medicine program. 

Rick D. Watson, M.D., F.C.C.P. earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Denison University and his Doctor of Medicine Degree from The Ohio State University. His professional training consists of an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center and a fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine at Indiana University Medical Center. In addition to being board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease, Dr. Watson is also a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. He has practiced Pulmonary Medicine at BVMA since July of 1980.

Belinda D. Ernst, PA-C received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Social Services from Bowling Green State University in 1996 and a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Findlay in 2002. Before joining the BVMA team, Belinda worked as a social worker for Children’s Services in Hancock and Shelby counties. She began at Blanchard Valley Medical Associates in November 2002 working under the supervision of Dr. Rick Watson, providing care to Pulmonary Disease patients. Belinda offers a great service to our patients through her specialization in smoking cessation counseling. Another accomplishment of Belinda’s is the completion of her Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies in 2008 from the University of Nebraska - while she continued to work in her position at BVMA. Belinda is a member of the Ohio Association of Physician Assistants (OAPA) and the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA).