Welcome to AirWaves
Reflections on medicine, trust, and the invisible threads that connect us. Stories at the intersection of lung health, equity, and humanity.
Who am I?
My name is Dr. MeiLan Han. I’m a pulmonologist. I’m also a professor and Chief of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan, researcher, and author of Breathing Lessons: A Doctor’s Guide to Lung Health. For more than 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of caring for patients with complex lung diseases and working on the front lines of respiratory health research.
My journey to this point has been anything but linear. I grew up in a small town in Idaho, the daughter of a nuclear engineer and a nurse. Early on, I thought I’d serve as a doctor in a rural community. While my fascination with pulmonary and critical care medicine took me in a different direction, my heart for improving the lives of underserved communities has never wavered. Today, as a professor at the University of Michigan, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding lung disease—who gets sick, why, and what we can do to improve outcomes.
Why am I here?
Because it’s not just the lungs that are failing. It’s the connective tissue of our health system—trust, equity, infrastructure, and public understanding.
AirWaves is where I try to make sense of it all: pandemics, policy, disinformation, chronic disease, health inequities, and the future of biomedical science. I write for people who want more than headlines and soundbites—who want to know what’s really at stake.
Some of what I share is clinical. Some is political. Much of it is personal. But all of it is aimed at helping us ask better questions about how we care for each other—and what it means to build a health system worthy of trust.
Who is this for?
This space is for anyone who believes medicine is more than science—it’s a relationship.
It’s for clinicians who feel stuck between burnout and purpose.
It’s for public health professionals wondering how to move forward in a fractured world.
It’s for patients, caregivers, and citizens trying to navigate complexity with compassion.
It’s for those who believe equity isn't optional—it’s essential to care.
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. This isn’t just a newsletter—it’s a place to pause, think, and breathe. Welcome to the conversation. I’m glad you’re here.Your time, curiosity, and passion mean everything to me. I look forward to building this space with you.
PS You can also follow me on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.