Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery) Physician
Allopathic & Osteopathic Physicians › Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery)
About this specialty
A thoracic surgeon provides the operative, perioperative and critical care of patients with pathologic conditions within the chest. Included is the surgical care of coronary artery disease, cancers of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the trachea, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors of the mediastinum and diseases of the diaphragm. The management of the airway and injuries of the chest is within the scope of the specialty.
Source: American Board of Medical Specialties, 2007. www.abms.org [7/1/2007: definition added, source added] Additional Resources: American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 2007. http://www.abts.org/. Board certification for Medical Doctors (MDs) is provided by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Thoracic surgeons have the knowledge, experience and technical skills to accurately diagnose, operate upon safely, and effectively manage patients with thoracic diseases of the chest. This requires substantial knowledge of cardiorespiratory physiology and oncology, as well as capability in the use of heart assist devices, management of abnormal heart rhythms and drainage of the chest cavity, respiratory support systems, endoscopy and invasive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques.
Highest Medicare-paid providers
| Provider | Location | Medicare paid |
|---|---|---|
| DAVID FERTEL, D O | WESTLAND, MI | $8,144,266 |
| GARY JONES, MD | ALEXANDRIA, LA | $6,093,133 |
| HAROLD TABAIE, MD | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,484,474 |
| ANDREI GURSKY, MD | TAKOMA PARK, MD | $4,888,490 |
| SAM EBRAHIMI, MD | TARZANA, CA | $2,636,307 |
| FARSHAD MALEKMEHR, M.D. | VAN NUYS, CA | $2,250,821 |
| ROBERT STREISAND, M.D. | PELHAM, NY | $1,609,354 |
| JOHN DAVIS, MD | HOUSTON, TX | $1,430,952 |
| GREGORY MESSNER, D.O. | PLANO, TX | $1,257,154 |
| PAULA GUINNIP, M.D. | TAHLEQUAH, OK | $1,174,880 |
Ranked by total Medicare payments — a measure of billing volume, not care quality.
Taxonomy definitions from the NUCC Health Care Provider Taxonomy (public domain). Provider counts derived from NPPES; payment figures from CMS Medicare data. Not affiliated with CMS, NPPES, NUCC, or any government agency.