Brad Black, MD

BRAD BLACK, MD, Dr. Black was the Medical Director (2003-2021) for the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) in Libby, Montana where he has resided since 1977. In addition, he has served as the Lincoln county health officer since 1984. Dr. Black continues to be a leading advocate for early disease detection, healthcare, treatment, and research to benefit those impacted by Libby amphibole asbestos which contaminated the vermiculite ore mined locally. A pediatrician by specialty, he additionally spent 10 years as the Medical Director for the urgent care center and served as an emergency room physician. Dr. Black has been dedicated to developing the healthcare infrastructure for asbestos related disease healthcare, including participating in the planning and implementation of the original ATSDR screening program and the development of CARD. After 10 years of mentoring from Dr. Alan Whitehouse, Spokane Pulmonologist, and over 20 yrs of asbestos screening and monitoring of patients with asbestos related disease, Dr. Black has become an expert in identifying and managing Libby amphibole asbestos diseases. He has collaborated with research investigators around the US and coauthored a number of published articles that relate to the Libby amphibole asbestos health effects. His dedication is appreciated greatly by CARD as well as the community. He currently has several research projects, one involving automated imaging for early detection of asbestos-related pleural thickening.