About Us
The Division of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonary Medicine offers an integrated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the chest.
We are one of the few divisions in the country where thoracic surgeons and interventional pulmonologists work together to provide collaborative care to our patients. Here, you have access to the most advanced diagnostic techniques, minimally invasive surgical procedures, cutting-edge medical research, and an integrated approach to health care.
We provide care for patients with:
- lung and esophageal cancer
- benign esophageal disease, such as heartburn, hiatal hernia and achalasia
- pleural effusions
- benign airway disease, such as airway strictures and tracheobronchomalacia
We also work closely with colleagues from gastroenterology and medical and radiation oncology to provide care for our patients.
Patients diagnosed with cancer are seen in a collaborative multidisciplinary thoracic clinic, the only such clinic in Boston. Here thoracic surgeons, interventional pulmonologists, medical and radiation oncologists, and pulmonary medicine specialists see patients at a single visit to evaluate treatment options and provide recommendations for care.
In addition to providing outstanding patient care, we are very involved in medical research. Our research efforts span the spectrum from laboratory research investigating the cause of tracheobronchomalacia to the evaluation of the latest endoscopic techniques to treat asthma and emphysema.
We also have a long, proud history of innovation in thoracic surgery. Thoracic surgeon Richard H. Overholt, MD (1901-1990) was a surgical trailblazer whose achievements include the world's first successful right pneumonectomy (lung removal) in 1933. Dr. Overholt was also a pioneer in the anti-smoking movement. Click here to read a 1992 paper in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery about Dr. Overholt's illustrious career written by Robert L. Berger, MD, Director of Clinical Research in the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology.
