Brian Southern, MD

4.9135 ratings, 23 reviews

Interstitial Lung DiseasePulmonology

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Highlights

Age Groups Seen

Adult

Languages

English

Gender

Male

About Brian Southern

Biography

Dr. Southern is a Staff Physician in the Respiratory Institute and Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He has a secondary appointment as an Associate Staff Scientist in the Lerner Research Institute Department of Pathobiology, where his research focus is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Dr. Southern explores how fibroblasts and myofibroblasts (the scar-producing cells in IPF) interact with lung tissue matrix to propagate fibrosis. He has identified that the molecular motor protein, non-muscle myosin II, is a critical molecule driving fibrosis, and is further characterizing the myosin II pathway in fibroblasts in order to identify novel targets to halt fibrosis in patients with IPF.

In addition to his research activities, Dr. Southern conducts an outpatient clinic where he cares for patients with interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis, and he is a co-investigator on a number of clinical trials for patients with IPF. He serves as the physician leader for the Cleveland area Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group. He is also very active in social media (Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idiopathicPF/; Twitter: @TodayIPF) where he provides the latest research, treatment options, and news for patients with IPF and their families.

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Locations

Middleburg Heights Family Health Center
- 17840 Bagley Road, Middlebrg Hts, OH 44130
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Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center
- 26900 Cedar Road, Beachwood, OH 44122
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A Building - Crile Building
- 2049 East 100th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Education & Board Certifications

Education

Fellowship: Case Western Reserve University - University Hospitals of Cleveland, 2012
Residency: Case Western Reserve University - University Hospitals of Cleveland, 2009
Medical Education: University of Alabama School of Medicine, 2003
Undergraduate: University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1996

Board Certifications

Pulmonary Disease: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2011

Professional Highlights

Dr. Southern has been invited to present his research findings at local and national meetings, including the American Thoracic Society International Conference, the Keystone Symposium on Fibrosis,and the Society for Clinical Research/Midwestern Section American Federation for Medical Research (CSCR/MWAFMR). He has been awarded research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Parker B Francis Foundation, Genentech, Inc., and the Cleveland Clinic Research Program Committee. He has served as a grant reviewer for the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, and the Cleveland Clinic Research Program Committee. He reviews manuscripts for a number of scientific journals. He also supervises pulmonary fellows in the Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic and on the inpatient pulmonary consult service. Additionally, he serves as a volunteer physician at the Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland.

Awards

2017 NIH K08 Award
2017 Parker B Francis Fellowship Award (declined)
2017 Parker B Francis Research Opportunity Award
2015 Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Summit, Top Ten Abstract
2015 Genentech Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Junior Faculty Award
2014 Cleveland Clinic Research Program Committees Award
2012 Travel Award, ATS Assembly on Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
2009 The Peter Morgan Award, for outstanding leadership as a senior resident

Professional Memberships

American Thoracic Society; American Society for Matrix Biology; American Association for the Advancement of Science

Research & Publications

See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.

As of 2025-07-21, Dr. Southern has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Southern receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

Boehringer Ingelheim

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Insurances Accepted

Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9 out of 5

135 ratings, 23 reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Explains

Courtesy Respect & Concern

Patient Rating of Doctor

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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 3/30/2026
Dr. Brian Southern is the ABSOLUTE GOLD STANDARD when it comes to someone who studied to become a doctor to help people. When he needs to deliver or inform you of results he does it in a compassionate yet factual way. If he gives you good news he is genuinely excited. After the visit he would say if you have any questions or something comes up please let me know. He indeed means that. A few days after I was celebrating the good news received, I had a follow up question that needed clarification. I sent a message through MyChart, he got back to me answering my question and making sure that it was clear. He asked if I wanted him to provide a doctor to follow up with other concerns that I had. He responded with three great referrals. I''ve given his name to friends that were looking for pulmonologist and they were very happy.Glad that a doctor can respect his patients as human-beings. He treats people I''m sure the way he wants to be treated.So hang onto this one. He''s a Cleveland Clinic Keeper!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 3/24/2026
Only good things to say about Dr. Southern
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 3/24/2026
I was glad that Dr.Southern was my Physician for my health concerns!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 3/24/2026
Dr southern answers all question. He gives a very thorough explanation and print out to take home that is a. Very good summary of the visit.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 3/13/2026
Dr Southern took his time in answering all my questions. I didn''t feel rushed.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 1/27/2026
The Doctor was outstanding! He was very thorough and knowledgeable about about my problems.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 12/2/2025
Dr. Southern was very nice, listened to me, cared about what was going on with my health, took his time and explained everything, has a great bedside manner, was personal and kind.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 12/2/2025
No complaints, he is an excellent doctor!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 11/24/2025
Dr. Southern is very respectful and knowledgeable and answers all my questions.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 11/24/2025
Dr, Southern is an excellent doctor and always takes time for you. He is thorough and always explains everything so you can easily understand.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 10/24/2025
Dr Southern is so nice and caring. I would highly recommend him to anybody!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 10/14/2025
Dr. Southern was wonderful. Explained lab results very thoroughly. Answered my questions and we discussed next steps. A great doctor.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 8/29/2025
Dr. Southern is the reason I stay connected with CCF. He is respectful, kind, informed, available and one of Cleveland Clinic's prized doctors. I have been seeing Dr. Southern over 10 years and I have never been disappointed or let down with the care that he provides. I appreciate his discipline because he goes above and beyond.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 8/19/2025
First appt with Dr summer was very pleased with him very knowledgeable
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 8/19/2025
Dr. Southern really listened to my concerns and explained my diagnosis thoroughly. He is very knowledgeable regarding pulmonary health and I feel confident trusting him with my care.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 8/5/2025
Dr. Southern was fantastic! Treated me with respect and was ready to make a difference in my health.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 7/29/2025
Dr Southern is very personable, professional and obviously knowledgeable! He was very thorough and wished me well with my upcoming breast biopsy.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 7/29/2025
I spent 60 minutes talking to my providers. No where else can you get this kind of attention to you and your concerns.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 7/15/2025
Dr. Southern absolutely GREAT. Explained each phase so I could completely understand.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 6/9/2025
Dr. Southern is very detailed and attentive.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 5/27/2025
Dr Southern is a wonderful Doctor very easy to communicate with listens to what you have to say helps in any way he can. When I have a question he corresponds quickly and he is very knowledgeable about the issues I have. I am very grateful I can go there.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 5/27/2025
Very good appointment.I appreciate Doctor Southern's professionalism
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 5/13/2025
Dr Southern was very patient and kind. He listened to all my questions and concerns and addressed every one of them.