Name: Dr. Alejandro Pino

Specialty: Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine

Qualification / Board Certification: MD — Weill Cornell Medicine

Affiliation(s): Acute Care Associates, Inc | NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell | Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas

Location (City/State): Encinitas, CA

Languages Spoken: English

Accepting New Patients: Yes

NPI Number: 1457748089

About the Doctor

Dr. Alejandro Pino is a Pulmonologist and Critical Care Medicine specialist based in Encinitas, California, with 11 to 20 years of clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of complex lung and respiratory diseases. He earned his medical degree from Weill Cornell Medicine — one of the nation’s most prestigious and highly ranked medical schools — and completed his Internal Medicine residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus) from 2015 to 2018, a world-class academic medical center consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the United States. Trained at the intersection of pulmonology and critical care, Dr. Pino brings an exceptionally high level of clinical expertise to the management of both chronic and acute respiratory conditions.

Dr. Pino practices at Acute Care Associates, Inc. in Encinitas, California — a respected multi-physician pulmonology group — and holds affiliations with two nationally recognized hospital systems. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell, where he trained, is ranked on the U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll and holds the #10 national ranking in Pulmonology & Lung Surgery, while also being High Performing in COPD, Lung Cancer Surgery, and Pneumonia. His California affiliation — Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas — is ranked #49 in California and is also High Performing in COPD and Pneumonia. This dual-coast hospital affiliation profile reflects the extraordinary caliber of training and clinical environment that shapes Dr. Pino’s approach to pulmonary and critical care medicine. He accepts a broad range of insurance plans including Medicare, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, United Healthcare, and Elevance. He is currently accepting new patients.

Key Highlights:

• 11–20 years of experience in pulmonology and critical care medicine
• MD from Weill Cornell Medicine — a nationally top-ranked medical school
• Internal Medicine residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus)
• Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital — #10 nationally in Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
• Affiliated with Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas — #49 in California, High Performing in COPD & Pneumonia
• Practicing at Acute Care Associates, Inc. — a premier pulmonology group in Encinitas
• Subspecialty expertise in Critical Care Medicine
• Accepts Medicare, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, United Healthcare, Elevance, Molina, and more
• NPI Number: 1457748089
• Currently accepting new patients

Education & Training

Medical School: Weill Cornell Medicine — New York, NY

Residency: New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus) — Internal Medicine, 2015–2018

Fellowship / Additional Training: Pulmonology & Critical Care Medicine (fellowship details not publicly listed)

Medical Conditions Treated

Pulmonary & Respiratory Conditions:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) & Emphysema
• Asthma & Reactive Airway Disease
• Pneumonia & Respiratory Infections
• Pulmonary Fibrosis & Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
• Lung Cancer — Evaluation & Management
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Pleural Effusion & Pleural Disease
• Bronchiectasis
• Tuberculosis (TB) & Mycobacterial Lung Infections
• Sarcoidosis affecting the Lungs
• Sleep Apnea & Sleep-Disordered Breathing
• Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clots in the Lungs)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Occupational & Environmental Lung Disease

Critical Care Conditions:

• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• Respiratory Failure & Mechanical Ventilation Management
• Sepsis & Septic Shock
• Multi-Organ Dysfunction in ICU Patients
• Post-COVID Pulmonary Complications
• Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Lung Disease
• Hemoptysis (Coughing Up Blood)
• Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)

Medical Procedures Performed

• Comprehensive Pulmonary Evaluation & Consultation
• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs) & Spirometry
• Bronchoscopy (Diagnostic & Therapeutic)
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) & Biopsy
• Thoracentesis (Pleural Fluid Drainage)
• Chest Tube Placement & Pleural Management
• Mechanical Ventilation Management (ICU)
• Non-Invasive Ventilation (BiPAP, CPAP)
• High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy
• Sleep Study Interpretation & Sleep Apnea Management
• CT Scan & Chest Imaging Interpretation
• Oxygen Therapy Assessment & Prescription
• Lung Cancer Screening (Low-Dose CT)
• Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis & Interpretation
• Inhaler & Respiratory Medication Management
• ICU Critical Care Management & Monitoring

Services Offered

Dr. Pino’s pulmonology and critical care practice at Acute Care Associates, Inc. in Encinitas, California provides a comprehensive and highly specialized range of respiratory medicine services for adult patients dealing with both chronic lung conditions and acute respiratory emergencies. His elite training at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital — one of the nation’s top pulmonology programs — combined with his California-based practice at Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas, ensures that patients in the San Diego area have access to truly world-class pulmonary care close to home.

Chronic Lung Disease Management:

Dr. Pino specializes in the long-term management of chronic pulmonary conditions including COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and interstitial lung disease. He develops individualized, evidence-based treatment plans that incorporate the latest inhaled therapies, biologic medications, pulmonary rehabilitation guidance, and oxygen therapy — all aimed at slowing disease progression, reducing exacerbations, and maximizing respiratory function and quality of life for each patient.

Lung Cancer Screening & Pulmonary Oncology:

Given his affiliation with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital — nationally High Performing in Lung Cancer Surgery — Dr. Pino is well equipped to provide expert evaluation, lung cancer screening, and diagnostic workup for patients at risk for or presenting with suspected pulmonary malignancies. He performs and interprets advanced bronchoscopic and imaging-guided diagnostic procedures, including EBUS-guided biopsy, ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis that enables swift referral to appropriate oncologic care.

Critical Care & Acute Respiratory Medicine:

As a Critical Care Medicine subspecialist, Dr. Pino provides expert inpatient management of critically ill patients with severe respiratory failure, ARDS, sepsis, and other life-threatening conditions requiring ICU-level care. His training at one of the country’s most demanding academic ICU environments gives him the skills and experience to manage even the most complex and rapidly evolving critical care cases with precision and confidence.

Diagnostic & Interventional Pulmonology:

Dr. Pino performs a full range of diagnostic and interventional pulmonary procedures, including bronchoscopy, EBUS, thoracentesis, and chest tube placement — providing patients with minimally invasive access to the most current diagnostic techniques for evaluating and treating lung disease.

Services at a Glance:

• Comprehensive pulmonary consultations and second opinions
• Chronic lung disease management (COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, ILD)
• Pulmonary function testing and spirometry
• Lung cancer screening and diagnostic workup
• Bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
• Thoracentesis and pleural disease management
• Sleep apnea evaluation and management
• Pulmonary hypertension evaluation and treatment
• Mechanical ventilation and ICU respiratory management
• Non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP, CPAP)
• Oxygen therapy assessment and prescription
• Inhaler optimization and respiratory medication management
• Post-COVID pulmonary evaluation and rehabilitation
• Tuberculosis and infectious lung disease management
• Inpatient and outpatient pulmonary care coordination

Accepted Insurances

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Medicare, PPO)
• Cigna (PPO)
• CMS Medicare
• Community Health Group (Medicare)
• Elevance (EPO, HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
• Humana (Medicare, PPO)
• Molina (HMO, Medicare)
• United Healthcare (HMO, Medicare, POS, PPO)
• Additional plans accepted — contact the practice directly for a complete list

Practice Locations

Location 1 Address: 326 Santa Fe Dr, Suite 100, Encinitas, CA 92024 Phone: +1 (760) 230-8994

Hospital Affiliations

• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia and Cornell — New York, NY (U.S. News Best Hospitals Honor Roll | #10 Nationally in Pulmonology & Lung Surgery | High Performing in COPD, Lung Cancer Surgery & Pneumonia)
• Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas — Encinitas, CA (#49 in California | High Performing in COPD & Pneumonia)