1. Department of Thoracic Surgery
image of Raja M. Flores, MD

Message From the Chair

At the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, we're not just surgeons—we're pioneers, advocates, and above all, compassionate caregivers. From our groundbreaking work in minimally invasive lung cancer surgery to our nationally recognized excellence in esophageal cancer treatment, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in thoracic care. But what truly sets us apart isn't just our technical skill—it's our heart.

Our department has grown significantly over the past 15 years, boasting a large team of experienced thoracic surgeons. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach, ensuring that each patient benefits from the collective expertise of our entire team. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our three-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for esophageal cancer surgery—the only such rating in the New York tri-state area.

Beyond our surgical expertise, we are deeply committed to improving community health. Following in the footsteps of Mount Sinai pioneers such as Irving Selikoff, MD, who is largely responsible for regulation of asbestos, we continue to advocate for early detection and prevention of thoracic cancers, including pushing for wider adoption of lung cancer screening.

At Mount Sinai, you're not just a number. Our approach combines technical excellence with genuine compassion. We treat each patient as we would a family member, often going above and beyond to ensure the best possible care. Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to advancing treatments based on our robust clinical data and experience. Our goal is to continue improving outcomes for thoracic surgery patients while maintaining our commitment to personalized, compassionate care.

Discover a place where innovation meets compassion, where world-class care is the standard, and where every patient's story matters. This is thoracic surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Raja M. Flores, MD
Chair, Department of Thoracic Surgery
Steven and Ann Ames Professorship in Thoracic Surgery
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai