Zachary Harris, MD, is a pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine specialist who says he grew up knowing he wanted to become a physician and a researcher.
“I went into medical school with a lot of interests and it was like the pulmonary and critical care field chose me,” Dr. Harris says. “I enjoyed critical care medicine and at the same time, liked treating patients in the clinic and on the general medicine floors of the hospital.”
Whether it’s taking care of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) or in an office setting, Dr. Harris says he appreciates the diversity of his work. “I see a wide spectrum of disease acuity and get to watch the different spheres of medicine intersect,” he says. “Taking care of people is the most rewarding aspect of being a physician. When we see patients in the ICU and they are really sick, it’s our job to not only treat them, but to help families through difficult times. We want to be clear in the trajectory of how things are going—to provide reassurance, information, and compassion.”
In addition to general pulmonary and critical care, Dr. Harris sees patients in the Post-COVID-19 Recovery Program and in the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program. “It has been a great opportunity to get to know patients with cystic fibrosis and help them live long, rewarding lives,” he says. “Cystic fibrosis has undergone a revolution, with new therapies that help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.”
An active researcher, Dr. Harris is exploring novel antibiotics to treat cystic fibrosis. He is also interested in acute lung injury, which includes diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). “My research deals with understanding the mechanisms of cellular injury and cell death in ARDS, which is directly applicable to my medical practice,” he explains.
With an undergraduate degree in visual and environmental studies, Dr. Harris says he applies his background as a painter to his research. “In the laboratory, I’m studying cell and lung biology and I can use my creative skills to further my understanding of the pathogenesis of lung diseases and how they occur, as well as use novel and inventive ways to treat these diseases and improve patients’ lives,” he says.
Dr. Harris is also a physician for theConnecticut Air National Guard.
