Eric D. McCollum, MD, MPH in Baltimore: Pulmonologist Specializing in Respiratory Infection and Global Health

Eric D. McCollum, MD, MPH is a pulmonologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, an urban academic medical center in East Baltimore, with a clinical focus on respiratory infections and a research background in childhood pneumonia and respiratory disease in low-income settings. McCollum offers both inpatient consultation and outpatient pulmonary evaluation at Johns Hopkins Hospital and affiliated clinics, serving adults and children with acute and chronic lung conditions.

What McCollum Does

McCollum combines clinical pulmonology with research expertise in infectious respiratory disease. His training includes medical school and a Master of Public Health degree focused on epidemiology and global respiratory health. Clinically, he manages pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other acute and chronic lung conditions. His research on pneumonia prevention and diagnosis in children and adults in low-income countries gives him depth in managing complex respiratory infections and understanding how poverty and access constraints shape lung disease presentation and outcomes. Most of McCollum's Baltimore patients contact him through Johns Hopkins' pulmonary clinic or as inpatient consultations during hospitalization at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Services and Appointment Access

McCollum sees patients for outpatient pulmonary evaluation and management. New patients typically need a referral from a primary care physician or another Johns Hopkins provider, though walk-in evaluation is possible through Johns Hopkins' emergency department. Pulmonary consultations are also arranged for hospitalized patients. The outpatient clinic operates within Johns Hopkins Medicine's standard scheduling framework; appointment availability depends on volume and urgency. Pulmonary consultation fees follow Johns Hopkins' standard specialist rates, which vary by insurance. Uninsured patients should contact Johns Hopkins Financial Assistance, which offers reduced rates based on household income. Confirm current appointment wait times with Johns Hopkins Pulmonary Medicine at the main line (410-955-5000).

How McCollum Compares to Other Baltimore Pulmonologists

Johns Hopkins has the largest concentration of pulmonologists in Baltimore. Other academic medical centers including University of Maryland Medical Center and Medstar Harbor Hospital offer pulmonary specialists, though Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland programs are the main teaching centers. McCollum is one of several pulmonologists at Johns Hopkins; choice of provider depends on subspecialty and availability. If you need routine asthma or COPD management, a community-based pulmonologist may offer faster appointment access. McCollum's strength lies in complex respiratory infections and diagnosis of unusual presentations. If you are hospitalized at Johns Hopkins with pneumonia or another acute lung condition, McCollum may be consulted automatically if infectious disease expertise is needed. Patients in other health systems (Medstar, UM Health) would need to transfer or pursue care within their own network.

Who Should See McCollum

McCollum suits adults and children with pneumonia, particularly those with recurrent, severe, or treatment-resistant infections. Patients with a history of respiratory illness in low-income countries or with risk factors tied to poverty and crowding may benefit from his epidemiologic perspective on lung disease. Hospitalized Johns Hopkins patients with complex respiratory infection also benefit from his consultation expertise. He is less necessary for routine maintenance asthma or COPD care in stable patients, who often do well with primary care or community pulmonology. Patients without a Johns Hopkins primary care referral should establish one first or contact Johns Hopkins through urgent or emergency evaluation.

First Visit and Evaluation Process

A first outpatient visit typically begins with a history of respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever, sputum production) and prior lung imaging or testing. McCollum reviews prior chest X-rays and CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and culture results if available. Physical examination of the lungs and vital signs follows. Additional testing such as spirometry, chest imaging, or sputum studies may be ordered. If hospitalized, the consultation is briefer and focused on acute diagnostic and treatment questions. Bring insurance information, a primary care referral, and records of prior lung imaging or test results.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

McCollum works through Johns Hopkins Hospital's Pulmonary Medicine Division on the East Baltimore campus. Outpatient pulmonary clinics meet on weekdays; specific times depend on the clinic schedule. Johns Hopkins Hospital operates parking garages accessible from Broadway or Monument Street; patient parking is metered or ticketed. The main pulmonary clinic is in the Johns Hopkins outpatient building. Inpatient consultations occur at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Verify current clinic hours and location by calling Johns Hopkins Pulmonary Medicine.

McCollum's dual training in medicine and public health research positions him unusually well for patients whose respiratory disease involves infection, complexity, or a travel or immigration history that shapes lung health.