James Brown

James Brown, MD, is Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine, Department of Medicine. He is also a Staff Physician in the Pulmonary/Critical Care/Allergy and Sleep Medicine Section at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC), where he provides inpatient and outpatient care for veterans with respiratory diseases. Dr. Brown is a highly productive clinician, recognized for his dedication, working extensive hours and ranking among the top providers in patient encounters and clinical productivity.

• Education: BA in Pre-Med and History from Yale University (1968); MD from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1972); Residency in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital (R1-R2, 1974) and UCSF (R3, 1975); Chief Medical Resident at UCSF (1976); Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UCSF (1979); Clinical Instructor and Assistant Research Scientist at UCSF and Cardiovascular Research Institute (1981).

Dr. Brown's research and clinical work are centered on improving early detection and treatment of lung cancer in veterans. His primary fields of interest include pulmonary medicine, lung cancer screening, pulmonary nodule management, and precision oncology. He founded the Lung Cancer Screening Program at SFVAMC in 2014, which has detected 170 lung cancers, 78% at an early stage, significantly improving survival. He also initiated the Incidental Pulmonary Nodule Program in 2007 to prevent progression to advanced cancer. His work contributed to the national rollout of the VA’s Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP), where he chairs the Outcomes Workgroup.

The 12 most recent publications, primarily from 2018 to 2023, reflect a strong focus on lung cancer screening, risk assessment for pulmonary nodules, and health disparities among veterans. His research integrates public health, clinical medicine, and biomarker development, with articles appearing in journals such as American Journal of Preventive Medicine and Chest. Key themes include program evaluation, risk prediction models, and the implementation of screening across diverse veteran populations.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Parker B. Francis Fellowship (1979–1981)
• Western Society for Clinical Investigation (1985)
• Visiting Professor, Johns Hopkins Hospital (1989)
• Western Association of Physicians, UCSF (1995)
• Excellence in Outpatient Teaching Award, UCSF VAMC PRIME Program (1997, 2011)
• Annual Faculty Teaching Award, UCSF Pulmonary Fellowship Program (2003)
• Member, Council of Master Clinicians, UCSF Department of Medicine (2012)
• Outstanding Clinician Award, California Thoracic Society (2015)

Dr. Brown is actively involved in mentoring and teaching, supervising trainees such as Ali Nowroozi, Justin Zhang, and Sylvia Stellmacher in lung cancer and nodule research. He has delivered numerous educational sessions, including grand rounds and conferences on lung cancer screening. His research is supported by significant grants, including a $4.5 million VA Lung Precision Oncology Program grant (co-PI), where he leads the lung cancer screening component, and collaborations with UC and industry partners on smoking cessation and circulating tumor DNA.

Dr. Brown leads key initiatives including the weekly Chest Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Conference, which brings together experts to guide treatment decisions, and continues to direct both the Lung Cancer Screening and Incidental Nodule Programs at SFVAMC. His work exemplifies a seamless integration of clinical care, research, education, and quality improvement in pulmonary and oncologic medicine.