Kayla Jean Kolbe, MD
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About
Dr. Kayla Kolbe is a pulmonary and critical care physician who takes a head-to-toe approach to caring for patients. She considers the whole person—their overall health, daily life, and personal goals—not just their breathing. She is a fierce and committed advocate for her patients, emphasizing clear communication and care that reflects each person’s priorities.
Her experience caring for critically ill patients shapes her preventive outlook in outpatient practice. Having seen how illness can progress, she focuses on recognizing concerns early, looking beyond a single symptom, and addressing problems before they become crises. She listens closely and works persistently to ensure that patients’ concerns are heard and their needs are addressed.
Dr. Kolbe’s scholarly expertise centers on quality improvement, ethics, and health equity, with a particular focus on lactation care for critically ill patients. Through research, education, and practical improvements in care delivery, she works to address overlooked needs and make healthcare more responsive to the people it serves. She also teaches physicians in training how to identify gaps in care and turn them into meaningful improvements.
Originally from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Dr. Kolbe is a first-generation college graduate. Her background has shaped her grounded outlook, strong work ethic, and determination. She values being approachable and genuine with patients, pairing honest conversations with humor, when appropriate, to build connection and ease difficult moments.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Kolbe spends time with her husband, a hospitalist, and their three children. She enjoys spending time outside in the yard, although each year there are more peonies and less yard. She likes to live on the edge, planting more flowers and rolling the dice on whether or not the kids will trample them. The family loves games, including Yahtzee, Monopoly, Uno, and euchre, and she and her husband keep trying to convince the kids that the movies they grew up watching are still cool.
Areas of Practice
Locations
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Pulmonary Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
Floor 3 Reception C
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5361Get Directions -
Medical Procedures Unit | University Hospital 1500 E Medical Center Dr
Floor 2
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5051Get Directions -
Transplant Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
Floor 1 Reception G
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5334Get Directions
Insurance Accepted
University of Michigan Health participates with most health insurance plans.
Education & Training
Medical School or Training
Residency
Fellowships
Board Certifications
Professional Organizations
Research Overview
Dr. Kolbe’s research uses quality improvement to advance ethical, equitable, and patient-centered critical care, with particular expertise in lactation care for critically ill patients. Her pioneering work includes a publication in CHEST Critical Care and an invited presentation at the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s international meeting. She translates research into practice through multidisciplinary relationship building with other physicians, trainees, nurses, and lactation consultants and through the development of clinical resources, and the development of a hospital lactation guideline and intensive care unit order set. Her ongoing work aims to make lactation support a routine part of critical care while advancing informed consent, patient autonomy, and safer care delivery.
Patient Ratings & Comments
Visit our Physician Ratings & Comments page to learn more about how patient ratings are collected, calculated, and updated to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right physician for your care.
Patient Ratings
122 Patient Ratings
Patient Comments
March 21, 2026 - "Dr Kolbe is the best care giver I have ever had. She is extremely thorough, caring and knowledgeable."
February 19, 2026 - "Dr. Kolbe helped me when no one else could. She took the time to listen. And came up with a plan to get my [...] under control. She very caring and I can't thank her enough for what she has done for me."
January 30, 2026 - "Dr. Kolbe is very good!"
January 23, 2026 - "Dr Kayla Jean Kolbe is awesome"
January 18, 2026 - "Dr. Kolbe always seems to put me at these, answers my questions and it gives me alternatives. Which I appreciate. We always come up with a plan."
December 11, 2025 - "Dr. Kolbe has literally been a life saver. She's honest, holds you accountable for your health and your decisions! She listens and gets to the root of the problem and does everything she can to fix it."
November 26, 2025 - "Dr. Kolbe is always very thorough and shows concern for my health"
October 31, 2025 - "Dr. Kolbe listened to my concerns and was patient with my explanations. She explained her thought in details for the treatment plan"
October 31, 2025 - "Dr Kolbe is very patient and explains everything"
September 25, 2025 - "Dr Kolbe is excellent. Has concern for your well-being, is thorough, kind and considerate. Very knowledgeable and follows through. I am glad I am in her care."
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