Miami stands out as one of the top destinations for world-class healthcare, and its pulmonology services are no exception. The city’s medical centers are equipped with cutting-edge technology and home to some of the most experienced specialists in respiratory medicine. Pulmonologists here don’t just treat symptoms—they focus on enhancing patients’ quality of life, managing chronic diseases, and preventing long-term complications through tailored treatment plans and patient education.
Whether you’re looking for help managing asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or seeking advanced interventions for interstitial lung diseases or pulmonary hypertension, Miami’s top pulmonologists bring decades of expertise and compassion to every patient interaction. Below, you’ll find an expanded and detailed look at Miami’s leading lung specialists, their career backgrounds, hospital affiliations, and what makes each one exceptional.
1. Dr. Ari Ciment, MD – Mount Sinai Medical Center
🩺 Specialties: Asthma, COPD, lung infections, pulmonary embolism, critical care, sleep disorders, and advanced respiratory failure
⏳ Experience: Nearly 20 years of medical experience in pulmonology and critical care
🏥 Affiliation: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach
⭐ Highlights: Dr. Ari Ciment has built a reputation as one of Miami’s most accomplished and compassionate pulmonologists. He is board-certified in Pulmonary Disease, Internal Medicine, and Critical Care Medicine. His approach is grounded in evidence-based care with a patient-focused philosophy. Over his career, he has held key leadership positions such as serving as Medical Staff President at Mount Sinai, where he helped modernize pulmonary protocols and patient safety standards. He is especially known for his dedication to education—offering clear, easy-to-understand guidance to patients managing chronic respiratory illnesses. His clinic is known for short wait times, detailed consultations, and a staff that makes patients feel supported from diagnosis through recovery.
🗣 Languages: English, Hebrew
💳 Insurance: Accepts most major insurance providers, including Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
💬 Extra Insight: Dr. Ciment also leads seminars on public lung health awareness in Miami and frequently contributes to local health publications, educating the community on respiratory hygiene and prevention.
2. Dr. Robert N. Galbut, MD, FCCP – Mount Sinai Medical Center
🩺 Specialties: Asthma, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and sleep medicine
⏳ Experience: Over 50 years of experience in internal and pulmonary medicine
🏥 Affiliation: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach
⭐ Highlights: Dr. Robert Galbut is regarded as one of the most experienced pulmonologists in Florida. His five-decade career includes both clinical excellence and mentoring future specialists. Board-certified in Pulmonary Disease, Internal Medicine, and Critical Care, he’s known for his measured and empathetic approach to patient care. His diagnostic acumen is particularly noted in the management of difficult respiratory cases such as interstitial lung disease and chronic emphysema. Dr. Galbut’s practice combines modern imaging technologies and pulmonary function testing with personalized care strategies.
🗣 Languages: English, Spanish, Hebrew
💳 Insurance: Accepts a broad range of insurance plans, including commercial and Medicare.
💬 Extra Insight: A lifelong educator, Dr. Galbut has participated in numerous clinical research projects and hospital quality improvement boards at Mount Sinai, ensuring continuous enhancement of patient safety and treatment outcomes.
3. Dr. Hugo F. Gonzalez, MD – HCA Florida Mercy Hospital
🩺 Specialties: Asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, pulmonary rehabilitation, respiratory failure, and chronic bronchitis
⏳ Experience: 38 years
🏥 Affiliation: HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, Coral Gables
⭐ Highlights: Dr. Hugo Gonzalez’s four-decade-long practice has made him a cornerstone in pulmonary medicine in South Florida. He is multilingual—speaking English, Spanish, French, and Greek—which enables him to connect with a diverse patient population. His calm demeanor and patient-first approach make him particularly popular among older adults managing chronic lung diseases. His commitment to follow-up care and ongoing patient education sets him apart, as does his focus on preventive strategies such as pulmonary exercise therapy.
🌟 Patient Rating: 4.7★/5
💳 Insurance: Accepts Medicare and most major insurance providers.
💬 Extra Insight: Dr. Gonzalez often collaborates with sleep specialists and cardiologists to manage complex cardiopulmonary cases, and he’s known for integrating lifestyle coaching into his treatment plans.
4. Dr. Brian M. Gotkin, MD – Memorial Healthcare System
🩺 Specialties: COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, ICU care, and ventilator management
⏳ Experience: Over 30 years
🏥 Affiliation: Memorial Hospital Pembroke & Memorial Regional Hospital
⭐ Highlights: Dr. Brian Gotkin is a fellowship-trained pulmonologist with a career spanning over three decades, during which he’s developed expertise in managing respiratory distress and critical care cases. Known for his approachable communication style, he ensures that even complex diagnoses are explained clearly to patients and families. His practice has been recognized for excellence in ICU protocol development and coordination of multidisciplinary lung care.
💳 Insurance: Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most other plans accepted.
💬 Extra Insight: Dr. Gotkin frequently collaborates with local universities for pulmonary research and contributes to community lung health screenings across Miami-Dade County.
5. Dr. Nina Gupta, MD – Aventura
🩺 Specialties: COPD, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and sleep apnea
⏳ Experience: 40+ years
🏥 Affiliation: Aventura, formerly NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
⭐ Highlights: With a career that bridges New York and South Florida, Dr. Nina Gupta brings over four decades of clinical expertise and compassion. Her diagnostic precision and thoughtful communication have earned her a reputation for excellence in managing chronic respiratory diseases. She employs the latest diagnostic tools, including high-resolution CT and advanced pulmonary function tests, to ensure accurate assessments. Patients appreciate her holistic style—addressing not only physical symptoms but also mental and lifestyle factors affecting recovery.
💳 Insurance: Accepts 25+ insurance providers, including Medicare.
💬 Extra Insight: Dr. Gupta often treats families across generations, offering continuity of care and preventive guidance for those at risk of respiratory issues.
6. Dr. Sixto A. Arias, MD – University of Miami Health System
🩺 Specialties: Interventional pulmonology, airway stenting, bronchoscopy, and critical care medicine
⏳ Experience: 20+ years
🏥 Affiliation: UHealth Pulmonology at SoLé Mia & Jackson Memorial Hospital
⭐ Highlights: A Johns Hopkins–trained expert, Dr. Sixto Arias is among Miami’s foremost authorities in interventional pulmonology—a discipline focused on advanced, minimally invasive treatments for airway obstruction, lung tumors, and complex infections. He’s lauded by patients for his thorough approach and willingness to explore the most advanced procedures available. His clinical leadership in ICU settings has been instrumental in improving patient survival rates and comfort levels.
🗣 Languages: English, Spanish
💳 Insurance: UHealth system – accepts most major insurance plans.
💬 Extra Insight: Dr. Arias is also an active participant in academic research, working on the development of new endoscopic tools for lung interventions and mentoring young physicians within the University of Miami residency programs.
7. Dr. Trishul Siddharthan, MD – University of Miami Health System
🩺 Specialties: Asthma, COPD, respiratory therapy, environmental lung health, and public health pulmonology
⏳ Experience: 15+ years
🏥 Affiliation: UHealth/Jackson Memorial Hospital
⭐ Highlights: A rising leader in Miami’s pulmonology field, Dr. Trishul Siddharthan combines academic rigor with a deep sense of compassion. After completing his fellowship at Johns Hopkins, he returned to Miami to teach and serve at UHealth, focusing on chronic lung disease management in underserved populations. His approach integrates research-driven care, patient counseling, and community outreach. Patients frequently describe him as approachable, informative, and genuinely invested in their progress.
🗣 Languages: English, Spanish
💳 Insurance: Accepted by the full UHealth network.
💬 Extra Insight: Dr. Siddharthan is involved in multiple global health projects addressing air pollution and respiratory disease prevention, making his expertise both local and internationally impactful.
8. Dr. Seth Gottlieb, MD – Mount Sinai Medical Center
🩺 Specialties: Critical care, pulmonary fibrosis, COPD, ICU management, and advanced respiratory support
⏳ Experience: Over 30 years
🏥 Affiliation: Mount Sinai Medical Center
⭐ Highlights: Dr. Seth Gottlieb, a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, is renowned for his expertise in both outpatient pulmonary care and hospital-based critical care. His extensive career includes leadership roles in Mount Sinai’s intensive care programs, where he’s shaped guidelines for treating respiratory failure. He’s known for his calm and reassuring presence, which helps patients and families feel at ease during high-stress medical situations.
💳 Insurance: Mount Sinai network, major commercial plans, Medicare.
💬 Extra Insight: Dr. Gottlieb frequently participates in medical conferences nationwide, sharing best practices in pulmonary medicine, and he mentors medical students pursuing careers in respiratory specialties.
🩵 Final Thoughts
The pulmonologists highlighted here represent the pinnacle of respiratory care in Miami. With their blend of scientific expertise, years of experience, and commitment to compassionate medicine, they ensure patients receive holistic and effective treatments tailored to individual needs. Whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition, recovering from a severe infection, or seeking a preventive consultation, these professionals offer exceptional guidance and support.
Miami’s healthcare ecosystem—anchored by world-renowned hospitals like Mount Sinai, Jackson Memorial, Memorial Healthcare System, and UHealth—offers unmatched accessibility to advanced diagnostics and therapies. Together, these pulmonologists not only heal lungs but also inspire healthier lifestyles across the region.
💡 Tip: Before making an appointment, confirm your insurance coverage and inquire about telemedicine options. Many of Miami’s pulmonology specialists now provide remote consultations, ensuring high-quality care is available wherever you are.