Connect

This is the latest installment in our Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how our team members contribute to UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan: “One Future Together Health and Hope for All.” No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how:

When Brittany Wall, MD, was growing up in Ashland in eastern Kentucky, she struggled with her breathing. At the age of five, she was finally diagnosed with severe asthma. Her respiratory symptoms were so bad — doctors were convinced she had cystic fibrosis, given the severity of her breathing issues at such a young age. 

Her parents, Kevin and Tammy Wall (right) — whom she calls her role models — set up a very specific schedule at home for her morning and evening nebulizer treatments. “I know I’m biased, but my parents are two of the best people I know,” Dr. Wall says. “They were both hardworking and excelled in their careers — but always made time for my brother Brandon and me.”

That included driving three long hours out of state to Columbus, Ohio to find the nearest pediatric pulmonologist for appointments multiple times a year for several years. “I would often have to do pulmonary function tests, allergy testing, and even a sweat chloride test to rule out cystic fibrosis,” Dr. Wall recalls.

Sidelined

As a young athlete, Dr. Wall often had to sit out of sports because of severe asthma exacerbations — defined as episodes of worsening respiratory symptoms with declines in lung function.

“For someone like me who’s highly competitive, this was one of the hardest parts of having asthma growing up,” she explains. “I went into an asthma attack in a middle school basketball game and collapsed on the court. Luckily, I just needed my albuterol inhaler, but that was an experience I’ll never forget.”

Ball in Her Court

Dr. Wall belonged to volleyball, basketball, and track teams throughout high school and played on a highly competitive travel volleyball team. She also was recruited to play collegiately — but after several campus visits, and what she describes as some “serendipitous moments” — Dr. Wall chose instead to attend her dream school: Auburn University in Alabama.

She played on Auburn’s club volleyball team — traveling across the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to compete with other club teams. 

Natural Leap

As for honing in on a career, Dr. Wall grew up thinking she was going to become an attorney — until her junior year of high school when she realized she enjoyed her science classes much more than she did her English or writing classes. “I do have to give my Mom some credit — since she was one of my science teachers in high school!” Dr. Wall says. “And then it was a natural leap to choose medicine, given my own healthcare experiences.”

She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Auburn, then a master’s degree — also in biomedical sciences — from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She stayed at Marshall to earn her MD, then completed her pediatric residency at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) and a fellowship in pediatric pulmonology at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Wall credits influential mentors during her fellowship with being supportive and heavily influencing her career. “They made me very passionate about mentorship and education, because I know firsthand how much it can impact your career trajectory.”

Pulmonology in a Pandemic

“I had just started my pediatric pulmonology fellowship in 2019-20 and it was very busy — and at times, it felt non-stop,” describes Dr. Wall.

“But then, unlike many of my adult pulmonology colleagues, we didn’t experience the overload of patients in pediatrics during the pandemic — it was a little eerie walking into a large children’s hospital and it be so quiet. We were available to help with bronchoscopy procedures on patients with COVID-19, and help in the PICU if needed.”

Cultivating the Most Vibrant Community in Higher Education

Now, Dr. Wall serves as an assistant professor at UVA School of Medicine and the rotation director for medical students and residents for her division. “My goal for each trainee, regardless of level or how much time they are on pulmonary rotation, is that they learn something they didn’t know before that will carry with them throughout their training and beyond. It’s fun to see the trainees grow and I enjoy having a small part in that.” 

Dr. Wall also volunteers as a mentor for the undergraduate Daniel Hale Williams Pre-Health Honor Society, which provides clinical shadowing opportunities for UVA students.

Common Ground

Dr. Wall joined UVA Health in August 2022. “I share my asthma journey with all my patients and their families,” she says. “I think it helps establish a relationship with families beyond doctor-patient because I truly understand what they are going through — from having frequent exacerbations, to being a teenager and ‘Not wanting to take my medications because my friends don’t have to do it.’ I think this allows us to have common ground as many of the things I ask of my young patients — I had to do myself growing up.”

How far have advances in pediatric pulmonology and asthma treatments come? “When I was a kid, there was a thought that you couldn’t have asthma, let alone severe asthma, if you were younger than five — which is why it took so long for me to be diagnosed. We now have lots of data and studies that show this simply isn’t true, which has led to earlier recognition and diagnosis of asthma in our pediatric patients,” Dr. Wall answers.

“I remember when I finally got to use a daily inhaler instead of having to do the nebulizer twice a day! Now, we pretty much put everyone on inhalers from the start. We’re able to test pulmonary function starting at age five, and the options we have for treatments expand all the time — now there are also biologic injections that can be given at home to help with asthma.”

“It sounds really cliché but I think I care for the best patients and families!” raves Dr. Wall. “They truly make coming to work every day such a joy and privilege. I also love the collaborations with other specialties within UVA Health. It’s very apparent we all have the same goal of providing the best care.”

SPARE TIME

Sports & Songs: “Especially anything golf and Auburn sports. My husband [Paul Viscuse, MD, UVA Health genitourinary medical oncologist] and I go to multiple sporting events every year as he is also an avid sports fan."

"I also love live music and we go to concerts often. I went to my tenth Foo Fighters concert and traveled to London to see Taylor Swift this summer.”

Hot Spots: “In Charlottesville, my favorite places to eat are Tavola and the Ivy Inn — but you can’t go wrong with any place here! My husband and I also love to go to local wineries and breweries. Our favorites are Septenary, Barboursville, and Random Row. We also have season tickets to Broadway shows at the Altria Theater in Richmond and typically eat at my favorite restaurants or breweries there.” 

Pair of Pups: Jackson and Maxwell, Dr. Wall’s dogs, are featured on her badge reel that she wears in clinic. “Many of my patients know about my dogs and ask about them during our visits which I love!” she beams.