About Thoracic Surgery

The Swedish Division of Thoracic Surgery provides the highest quality care, comprehensive evaluation and surgical treatment to patients with cancerous and non-cancerous thoracic (chest) conditions. Our mission - as national leaders in thoracic surgery - is to offer all patients a personal plan of care that reflects their own unique circumstances, in a setting that features an equal measure of compassion, state-of-the-art technology and progressive techniques.

A Brief History

Swedish Medical Center was established as a surgical hospital in 1910, quickly earning a well-deserved reputation as one of the premier medical centers in the Pacific Northwest. SCI Thoracic Surgery was established in 2000 in response to a growing need for advanced thoracic surgical care. It has rapidly grown into a strong and vibrant program, which offers a complete range of thoracic surgical procedures with an emphasis on thoracic oncology and benign diseases of the esophagus.

Teamwork and a full selection of surgical and treatment options form the foundation of our clinic. Our physicians, nurse practitioners and staff work closely with other physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, physical therapists, nutritionists, speech pathologists and naturopathic physicians to provide a comprehensive care experience. For all of our patients we offer all of the traditional surgical approaches but we are also utilizing the latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques, sometimes known as "camera" surgery. Our personal approach to care involves input and evaluation by oncologists, pulmonologists and gastroenterologists, so that patients with specific types of cancer who require more than one form of treatment (surgery and chemotherapy, for instance) will have a care plan that is seamless, integrated and as convenient as possible.