About Dr. Mahler
My Vision
To provide practical and current information that positively affects the daily lives of those with COPD and their families.
Donald A. Mahler, M.D.
Dr. Mahler is Emeritus Professor of Medicine at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire. Since October 2014, he works as a pulmonary physician at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, New Hampshire, where he is Director of Respiratory Services. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mahler, call the Kane Center at Valley Regional Hospital 603 542-6777. Fax number: 603 542-1927.
Website
In early 2014, I envisioned an opportunity to provide educational materials that more closely aligned to individuals affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their caregivers, and family members. After extensive discussions, I commissioned James Taylor, an experienced web designer to create this website.
This website was launched in June 2014 and has three thematic topics:
COPD news
Updates on recent publications in the medical journals, presentations at national respiratory conferences, and announcements about medications for COPD approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and made available by pharmaceutical companies.Real FAQs
My answers to real questions submitted by those with COPD, caregivers, and family members are answered.Videos
Inspiring videos about three individuals who have COPD and continue to lead active lives.
I have complete control of the contents of the website. No financial support has been provided for the development or operation of this website by any business or organization,
Books for Health Care Professionals and Developments
Dyspnea. Futura Publishing Company, Inc., 1990
Dyspnea. Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1998
Dyspnea: Mechanisms, Measurement, and Management, 2nd Edition, Taylor & Francis Group, 2005, co-edited with Denis E. O’Donnell
Dyspnea: Mechanisms, Measurement, and Management, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, 2014, co-edited with Denis E. O’Donnell.
Inhaled Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Asthma and COPD. CRC Press, 2023, co-edited with Rajiv Dhand.
In 1984 in collaboration with the late Dr. Alvin Feinstein, Dr. Mahler developed the Baseline and Transition Dyspnea Indexes (BDI/TDI). These questionnaires measure the impact of breathing difficulty related to activities of daily living. They have been used widely in clinical studies involving patients with COPD, and have been translated into over 80 languages. The BDI/TDI questionnaires are available for use from the MAPI Research Trust in Lyon, France.
In 2004 in collaboration with the late John Baird, Ph.D, Dr. Mahler developed the self-administered computerized (SAC) versions of the BDI/TDI. These instruments are available for use from the MAPI Research Trust in Lyon, France.
In 2020, Dr. Mahler created and published an algorithm to guide inhaler selection for health care professionals when treating patients with COPD (Respir Med 2020; 16:105857)
Breathe New Hampshire
Dr. Mahler was the 2014 recipient of the Robert B . Kerr Award of Breathe New Hampshire. The Kerr Award is awarded annually to a New Hampshire person who has consistently demonstrated a selfless professional or personal commitment to furthering lung health in the region for five or more years. Considerations include courage of conviction, creativity, innovation, and pioneering approaches to improving respiratory health.
Pictured here from left to right – Dr. Albee Budnitz, Downtown Medical Associates & Breathe NH Board Member, Dan Fortin, Breathe NH President & CEO, Dr. Donald Mahler, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and Dr. James Kiley, Director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Awards & Recognitions
2019-2020. Dr. Mahler was selected by peers as one of the Best Doctors in America®. Being named a Best Doctor recognizes about 4% of US doctors from whom other doctors would seek care.
November 2021. Dr. Mahler was recognized as an Expertscape World Expert in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease based on publications in medical journals over the previous 10 years.
In 2011, Dr. Mahler was invited to give the Walter O’Donohue Lecture at Annual Meeting of the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care; Las Vegas, NV
In 2013, Dr. Mahler was invited to lecture as BEST of CHEST 2013 in Riyadh and Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In 2017, Dr. Mahler was invited to give the Middleton Lecture at the University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston, TX.
In 2018, Dr. Mahler was the Sam Sills Distinguished Scholar which included lectures at Breathe California of Los Angeles County, Harbor-UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, and West LA Veterans Administration; Los Angeles, CA.
In 2019, Dr. Mahler was invited to participate in CHEST Live in India 2019 with lectures in Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Pune, India.
In 2019. Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Madrid, Spain.
In 2019, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at the GOLD COPD 2019 Annual International Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
In 2020, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at the Alliance of Experts in Pneumonology ADEN Evolution in Mexico City.
In 2020, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at a Webinar: “Reality of Biomarkers and devices in COPD treatment” for pulmonary physicians in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
In 2020, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at a Webinar: “Inhaler Selection for Patients with COPD” for pulmonary physicians in Brazil.
In 2020, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at a Webinar: GOLD COPD 2020 Annual International Conference.
In 2021, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at a Webinar: “National CME on Home Nebulization” for pulmonary physicians in India.
In 2021, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at a Webinar: “Inhaler Selection for COPD” at the program “NeumoAdvance” for pulmonary physicians in the Dominican Republic.
In 2021, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at a Webinar: “Inhaler Delivery Systems for Treatment of COPD” at the program “Respiratory Medical Webinar” for pulmonary physicians in South Korea.
In 2022, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak on “Personalizing Selection of Inhaler Delivery Systems in COPD” at In Focus International Webinar for pulmonary physicians in Canada.
In 2022, Dr. Mahler was invited to speak at the Alliance of Experts in Pneumonology ADEN Legacy in Merida, Mexico.