Pulmonology is the medical specialty involved in caring for diseases of the chest including the lungs, diaphragm and chest wall. A large variety of disease processes can be easily diagnosed and treated by our pulmonology services.
Pulmonology Consultations
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Bronchiectasis
- Cough
- Chronic Cough
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – Bronchitis/Emphysema
- Lung Cancer Screenings
- Lung Infections
- Lung Nodules
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary Function Testing
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Sarcoidosis
- Shortness of Breath
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. We now offer state of the art lung cancer screening which has been shown to improve survival in high risk patients.
What is a lung screening?
Lung cancer can be detected early through a low dose CT scan without contrast. The CT scan uses x-rays to scan the entire chest in about five to ten seconds during a single breath hold. The entire examination is completed in about 15 minutes and has very low radiation exposure.
The vast majority of nodules discovered are benign and require no more than simple follow up scans over time. These low dose CT scans aid in finding lung cancer in their earliest stage, when up to 90% can be cured. If a tumor is found, they are much more likely to be early stage and curable with minimally invasive surgery leading to less postoperative pain and early return to work.
The recommendations, made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on March 9, advise people between 50 and 80 years old who have smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years or more (20 “pack” years), and those who either still smoke or quit within the last 15 years to be screened annually.
Contact your primary physician for a referral to RUMC. If you do not have a primary care physician, we will help you. The CT scan is part of a smoker’s and former smoker’s annual physical covered by insurance.
To schedule a screening or for more information, call 718-818-2391
Meet the Team
Dr. Diaz is an intensivist and consulting pulmonologist who has been a part of the Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) medical staff since 2011. Currently serving as the Division Chief of Pulmonary Medicine and Director of the hospital’s Lung Screening Program, Dr. Diaz combines clinical leadership with a deep-rooted commitment to his community.
A lifelong Staten Island resident, Dr. Diaz earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, followed by specialized training in surgical critical care at Mount Sinai and a pulmonary/critical care fellowship at Stony Brook University Medical Center.
Beyond his administrative and clinical roles, Dr. Diaz is a dedicated educator and public servant. He was named “Attending of the Year” (2018-2019) for his work with medical residents and has served as a city medical specialist for the FDNY, treating 9/11-related illnesses. He also holds the title of Honorary Police Surgeon for the NYPD and was recently honored by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation as the 2025 Unsung Community Health Hero.
Dr. Diaz has been instrumental in advancing specialized care at RUMC, most notably through the creation of the hospital’s state-of-the-art Lung Screening Program. Recognizing that early detection can lead to a 90% cure rate for lung cancer, he implemented low-dose CT scan protocols that provide rapid, life-saving imaging for patients.
His leadership was equally vital during the pandemic; Dr. Diaz helped design and launch RUMC’s Post COVID-19 Care Center in June 2021. As part of the initial development team, he helped establish a multidisciplinary approach to treat the long-term healthcare needs of survivors, cementing his reputation as a forward-thinking leader in respiratory health.
Office Locations
Dr. Gioia’s medical education journey began at Ross University School of Medicine. After graduating from medical school, he started residency training at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he completed his Internal Medicine residency and chief residency. He then went on to do a fellowship in Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, which he completed in 2025.
Dr. Gioia is board certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Echocardiography and Internal Medicine, and practices as a pulmonologist and intensivist. His clinical interests include lung nodule and lung cancer evaluation, interstitial lung disease and obstructive lung diseases. He also has a special interest in the use of bedside ultrasonography to diagnose and manage critical illness in the intensive care unit.
Office Locations
