Clinical Immunology · Columbus, Ohio
Some patients spend years cycling through doctors, antibiotics, steroids, and hospital visits without ever getting an answer. Optimed Immunology was built for those patients.
Who we serve
Recurrent infections, frequent steroid courses, and repeated hospitalizations are not normal. They often point to an underlying immune condition that has been overlooked. If any of the following describes you, an immunology evaluation may be appropriate.
Find your pathway
Four common reasons patients are referred to clinical immunology. Each links to the conditions and treatments most relevant to that situation.
Pathway 01
Recurrent sinus, ear, lung, or skin infections. Low IgG. Abnormal vaccine response. Possible CVID, specific antibody deficiency, or IgG subclass deficiency.
See if this fits →Pathway 02
Chronic hives lasting longer than six weeks. Unexplained swelling. Angioedema without hives. Possible hereditary angioedema (HAE) or chronic spontaneous urticaria.
See if this fits →Pathway 03
Frequent prednisone courses, ER visits, eosinophilia, nasal polyps, eczema overlap, or EoE. Evaluation for biologic therapy selection.
See if this fits →Pathway 04
Selected pediatric and adult cases involving PANDAS/PANS, suspected autoimmune encephalitis, post-infectious encephalopathy, or Sydenham chorea.
See if this fits →What happens next
A clear, predictable process so patients and referring physicians know what to expect.
Dr. Donald L. McNeil, MD
Meet your immunologist
Dr. Donald McNeil has practiced clinical immunology for over forty years. After medical training at the University of Alberta and fellowships in allergy, immunology, and clinical immunology research — including a research fellowship at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center — he is board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and in Internal Medicine.
After leadership roles at Ohio State University and a long tenure in private practice in Columbus, Dr. McNeil founded Optimed Immunology in 2023 to focus on complex, time-intensive immunology cases — the kind of medicine that requires depth rather than volume.
There is no shortcut to good immunology, and no efficient way to listen to a patient who has been waiting years to be heard. The practice is structured around that reality.
— Donald L. McNeil, MD · Founder
Conditions treated
A focused practice in clinical immunology for adults and children. Each condition page on this site provides plain-language descriptions, what to expect at evaluation, and the treatments offered.
CVID
One of the most common serious primary antibody deficiencies. Causes recurrent sinus, ear, and lung infections that go unexplained for years.
Learn more →HAE
Recurrent unpredictable swelling that does not respond to antihistamines. Modern targeted treatments may substantially reduce attack frequency and severity for appropriately selected patients.
Learn more →Chronic hives
Daily hives lasting more than six weeks, often without a clear trigger. Many patients achieve substantial control with the right treatment plan.
Learn more →Refractory asthma
Asthma that continues to flare despite proper inhaler use. Targeted biologic therapies offer meaningful improvement for many patients in this group.
Learn more →CRSwNP
Persistent sinus inflammation with loss of smell and recurrent infections. New therapies target the underlying inflammation directly, with meaningful improvement for many patients.
Learn more →MCAS
Inappropriate mast cell activation causing flushing, hives, GI symptoms, and lightheadedness. Requires careful evaluation to confirm.
Learn more →Also evaluated — for selected patients
For carefully selected patients — including children — with sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms after infection, suspected autoimmune brain inflammation, or persistent post-infectious cognitive change. Evaluation is individualized and coordinated with neurology, psychiatry, and pediatrics.
PANDAS & PANS → Autoimmune encephalitis → Post-infectious encephalopathy → Sydenham chorea →
Treatments offered
Modern immunology has real tools to restore immune function, prevent attacks, and quiet inflammation. Treatment selection is individualized to the diagnosis, lifestyle, and goals of each patient.
For patients with antibody deficiencies. Restores the immune system's ability to fight infection.
IVIG and SCIG, including Hizentra, Cuvitru, Gammagard, Privigen, HyQvia, Alyglo, Gammaplex, and others.
Both prophylactic prevention and acute attack therapy, including newer oral options.
Takhzyro, Andembry, Dawnzera, Haegarda, Orladeyo (prevention) · Berinert, Ekterly, Firazyr, Ruconest (acute).
Targeted therapies for severe asthma, chronic urticaria, nasal polyps, eczema, and EoE.
Xolair, Dupixent, Nucala, Fasenra, Tezspire, Cinqair, Exdensur.
Standard and advanced immune testing, including specialized assays available through this practice.
SIP, COVID Phenotyping, BAT, vaccine response testing, blood-based allergy panels.
Why this practice
Most appointments run 30 minutes or longer. Complex cases need a complete history, careful examination, and a real conversation about the plan. The schedule is built around that reality, not against it.
A complete immune workup includes the tests that are not always ordered. When a case is unusual, Dr. McNeil consults colleagues and reviews the literature. Forty years of clinical experience inform every diagnostic decision.
Every visit is with Dr. McNeil. There are no rotating providers, no junior associates, no hand-offs. Care is continuous and personal — the way clinical immunology should be practiced.
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