Dr. William Jr, MD is a Pulmonology specialist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Pulmonary care for older adults (65 and over) at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL. He is a registered physician with the Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in senior health on infoaging.org, Dr. William Jr. understands the unique needs of this population. General pulmonologists provide specialized expertise in diagnosing and managing complex lung conditions like COPD, asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and sleep apnea common in seniors, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible care. He is committed to fostering a supportive and informative partnership with each patient, and their families, in navigating their health journey.
Dr. William Jr earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Florida. He is Board Certified in Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pulmonary Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. W. Taylor Palfrey, MD, a pulmonologist in Jacksonville, FL, is currently welcoming new patients. He is available to provide consultations primarily in English. Please call (904) 253-6910 to schedule an appointment.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. William Jr is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. William Jr. is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive pulmonary care with a focus on understanding each patient's unique needs. He collaborates with primary care physicians and other specialists to address complex lung conditions like COPD, asthma, and pneumonia, ensuring a holistic approach that prioritizes comfort, independence, and optimal well-being for seniors.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. William Jr can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Aetna
- Choice Plus POS II
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. William Jr provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Bronchitis: If you're experiencing a persistent cough or difficulty breathing, seeing a doctor is important to get a diagnosis and treatment plan for bronchitis, ensuring your respiratory health is well-managed.
- Influenza (Flu): Influenza, or the flu, is a common viral infection that can cause respiratory symptoms like coughing, fever, and body aches, and it's especially important for seniors to get vaccinated to reduce their risk of serious complications.
- Wheezing: Wheezing is a whistling or rattling sound during breathing, often indicating narrowed airways, which can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes to improve breathing and daily activities.
- Primary Insomnia: Primary insomnia is a sleep problem where you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, and it's not directly related to another health condition or medication; treatment can involve lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, or even medication to help improve your sleep and energy.
- Pneumoconiosis and Pneumonopathy: If you've been exposed to dust or other lung irritants, you may develop pneumoconiosis or another pneumonopathy; with proper medical care, including medication and respiratory therapy, these conditions can be managed to maximize breathing comfort and overall wellbeing.
- Long COVID Disorder: Long COVID can include a range of persistent symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, and while there isn't one cure, your healthcare provider can help manage these to help you stay as active and comfortable as possible.
- Insomnia: If you or your loved one experiences persistent insomnia, talk to a doctor. Treatment can improve mood, cognitive function, and reduce daytime sleepiness.
- Asthma: Asthma affects breathing due to narrowed airways, but a doctor's planincluding inhalers and sometimes other medicineshelps control symptoms, keeping seniors comfortable and improving their daily lives.
- Septic Embolism: A septic embolism is a serious complication where an infection travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs, potentially causing breathing difficulties and requiring prompt medical attention.
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Developing a plan to avoid triggers such as dusts or molds that cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a type of lung inflammation, along with medical care, can help control symptoms and keep you active and feeling your best.
- Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: URIs, like the common cold or flu, are viral infections of the upper airways that can cause discomfort in older adults, but usually get better on their own with plenty of fluids and rest.
- Tracheitis: Experiencing a persistent cough and chest discomfort? It could be tracheitis, an inflammation of your windpipe; treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications, enabling you to stay active and comfortable.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. William Jr offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Thoracentesis: As part of a senior's overall respiratory health management, thoracentesis can be used to remove fluid collection around the lungs, aiding in diagnosis and helping your healthcare team manage their condition effectively.
- Non-Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: NIMV is a treatment option that assists seniors struggling to breathe on their own, providing respiratory support to improve oxygen levels and reduce shortness of breath.
- Bronchoscopy with Robotic Assist: For seniors with suspected lung cancer or other serious lung conditions, robotic bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive tool aiding in earlier, more precise diagnosis and improved treatment planning.
- Bronchoprovocation Test: By measuring your lung function response to specific inhaled substances, this test helps ensure you receive the most effective treatment for your breathing difficulties.
- Respiratory Management: A comprehensive respiratory management plan ensures seniors receive the right care, including medication and therapy, to manage their breathing problems.
- Smoking Cessation Counseling: Smoking cessation counseling helps seniors quit smoking, reducing their risk of lung diseases like COPD and lung cancer.
- Sleep Study: A sleep study is a non-invasive test used to assess various sleep disorders, including those affecting your breathing, helping healthcare providers determine the best course of action.
- Endoscopic Biopsy Bronchus Robotic Assist: Robotic assistance in endoscopic bronchus biopsy enhances the precision and safety of tissue sampling, helping improve treatment outcomes for elderly patients with lung problems.
- Lung Diffusion Capacity Test: This simple breathing test helps your doctor understand the severity of lung damage and guide decisions about your care, improving your overall respiratory health.
- Bronchoscopy: A bronchoscopy helps doctors obtain tissue samples from the lungs for examination, which is crucial for diagnosing and managing various lung diseases in seniors, including lung cancer and other serious conditions.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): To ensure a good night's rest and prevent health complications, CPAP is a valuable treatment option for seniors experiencing sleep apnea.
- Pulmonary Function Test: A pulmonary function test helps your doctor assess how well your lungs are working and diagnose conditions like COPD or asthma.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Pulmonology in Florida.
Dr. William Jr is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With the pulmonologist's guidance, a senior was able to resume her beloved daily walks, a cherished activity, without the persistent cough and shortness of breath that had plagued her. Her family felt immense relief knowing their loved one was regaining her independence and enjoying improved respiratory health.
- Following expert guidance, a senior citizen felt significantly better after their flu symptoms subsided, allowing them to return to their beloved book club meetings.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
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- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Critical Care Medicine)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Pulmonary Disease)
Here are answers to some common questions about Pulmonary care with Dr. William Jr:
- What is a Pulmonologist?
- A pulmonologist, like Dr. William Jr., is a specialist who diagnoses and treats lung and respiratory conditions. They are skilled at managing chronic conditions like COPD and asthma, treating infections like pneumonia, and addressing sleep-related breathing problems to improve overall well-being in older adults.
- I have a cough that won't go away. When should I see a pulmonologist?
- If your cough lasts more than a few weeks, especially with shortness of breath, wheezing, or mucus, it's important to see Dr. William Jr. He can perform tests to identify the cause, from asthma to more serious conditions, and create a treatment plan to help you feel better.
- I'm a former smoker. Am I still at risk for lung problems?
- While quitting smoking was the best decision for your health, a history of smoking remains a risk factor for conditions like COPD and lung cancer. Regular check-ups and, if eligible, low-dose CT screening for lung cancer are important preventive steps. Your risk decreases after quitting, but it's still a significant factor.
- Should I get the pneumonia vaccine?
- Absolutely. Pneumonia can be a very serious illness, even life-threatening, for older adults. The pneumonia vaccines (like PCV20 or PCV15 and PPSV23) are highly effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and complications. Please discuss your specific vaccination status with your primary care doctor or Dr. William Jr.
- What is a pulmonary function test (PFT)?
- A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a non-invasive breathing test that measures how well your lungs are working. It involves breathing into a machine called a spirometer. This is a key diagnostic tool to help Dr. William Jr. diagnose and monitor conditions like asthma and COPD.
- How is asthma different in older adults?
- Asthma can develop at any age and sometimes presents in older adults as just shortness of breath, which may be overlooked. Managing asthma in seniors requires careful consideration of other health conditions and medications. Dr. William Jr. specializes in creating safe and effective asthma action plans for seniors.
- What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
- Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that includes exercise training, health education, and breathing techniques. It's a vital part of care for chronic lung diseases, helping improve breathing, increase stamina, and enhance overall quality of life.
- What is a bronchoscopy?
- A bronchoscopy is a procedure where Dr. William Jr. uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look directly into the airways of your lungs. It's used to investigate issues like persistent coughs or unusual chest X-rays, and can also collect small tissue samples (biopsies). The procedure is performed with sedation to ensure your comfort.
14540 Old Saint Augustine Rd Ste 2403
Jacksonville FL 32258
Phone: (904) 253-6910
Dr. William Jr, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1558705194
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Pulmonology like Dr. William Jr are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.
