About Us | UC Davis Health

Patients with thoracic cancer might think they need to travel outside of the Sacramento area for their care at a medical center in a larger city. That’s not the case. The thoracic cancer physicians at UC Davis Health include nationally renowned medical oncologists, thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists, and pulmonologists who conduct cutting-edge research as well as diagnose and treat patients. Our team members work together to attain the best possible outcomes for patients.

Thoracic cancer can involve any of the organs in the thoracic cavity — the chest. That can include cancer not only in the lungs but also in the esophagus (the tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach) as well as pleural tissues, the membrane that surrounds and cushions the lungs against injury.

The Thoracic Oncology Program at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, directed by oncologist Jonathan Riess, is a national and international center of excellence for lung cancer treatment. It is the largest and most comprehensive program in Northern California, providing a wide array of patient-centered clinical and research services, ranging from prevention strategies to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Our clinicians and researchers convene weekly Thoracic Oncology Tumor Board meetings to coordinate evaluation and treatment strategies for each new patient. The treatment team also includes nurses with advanced training in thoracic oncology, along with dietitians, social workers and clinical research associates for clinical trial entry. The goal of the team is to develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to you.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s lung cancer program is composed of a culturally humble team. We are designated under the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equity Index as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equity Leader. Newsweek magazine’s lists of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women acknowledge UC Davis Health. We also are a member of the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative of the John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States.

UC Davis Health has long been recognized for fostering a strong culture of inclusion and consistently reducing health disparities among our patient and local community populations. We do so by continually promoting and increasing diversity among faculty members, trainees and staff members in order to increasingly reflect the diverse communities that we serve. Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential components of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s dedication to excellence.

Translation services in numerous languages are available to ensure clear communication. We proudly maintain our unwavering commitment to maintaining an inclusive, welcoming environment for all, and assuring equity in our education, employment and health care delivery practices.