Letter from the Chief

Min P. Kim, MD, FACS
Vice-Chair of Department of Surgery, David M. Underwood Distinguished Professor of Surgery, Head, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Professor of Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, Professor of Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery at Institute of Academic Medicine

As I reflect on our mission as a Division, I’m reminded that education is not just a responsibility—it’s a privilege and a cornerstone of everything we do. I’d like to share a bit of my personal journey to highlight why this commitment to education is so meaningful to me.

I had no exposure to the medical field growing up and little understanding of what it meant to be a doctor. That changed when I began volunteering at a small community hospital in Baltimore as a high school student. There, I met a neurologist who generously took me under his wing, opening my eyes to the world of medicine. Watching him round on patients, make diagnoses, and develop treatment plans made a lasting impression and set me on the path I follow today.

In college, I was fortunate to shadow a general surgeon in Ithaca, NY, who further fueled my interest in surgery. As a medical student at Johns Hopkins, I met Dr. Stephen Yang whose mentorship inspired me to pursue a career in thoracic surgery. During my general surgery residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dr. Malcolm DeCamp instilled in me the foundational principles of our specialty, and I am forever grateful to the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center who shaped my clinical and surgical identity during fellowship.

I am here today because of the generosity, time, and wisdom of my mentors. Their influence is the reason I feel so passionate about paying it forward. Through our Division’s educational programs—whether it’s mentoring medical students, training
residents and fellows, or inspiring high school and college students who are just beginning to consider careers in medicine—we have the opportunity to guide and support the next generation of healthcare professionals. We may be their first glimpse into the world of thoracic surgery, and the impact of that experience can be life-changing.

In this edition, we highlight some of the impactful educational initiatives we are proud to be part of. Thank you to everyone in our Division who contributes to this vital mission.

Min P. Kim, MD, FACS

Celebrating Excellence in Training: Dr. Tommaso Cambiaghi Graduates from Houston Methodist Thoracic Surgery Fellowship

The Houston Methodist Thoracic Surgery Fellowship, established in 2021, represents a collaborative initiative between the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery and the Division of Thoracic Surgery in the Department of Surgery. Our mission has always been to train highly skilled cardiothoracic surgeons equipped to lead and serve in diverse clinical environments across the globe.

This year, we are proud to celebrate the graduation of Dr. Tommaso Cambiaghi, a trailblazing member of our program. Dr. Cambiaghi was born and raised in Italy, where he completed his medical education at the Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Faculty di Medicina e Chirurgia. He later pursued integrated vascular surgery training at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston.

Dr. Cambiaghi represents a newer and innovative pathway into cardiothoracic surgery—one that builds on a foundation in vascular surgery. From the outset, he expressed a strong interest in cardiac and aortic surgery, and it has been deeply rewarding to witness his growth into a confident, technically excellent, and compassionate surgeon.

Initially, we approached this training path with some caution, especially considering his limited exposure to robotic thoracic surgery. However, Dr. Cambiaghi’s talent and determination quickly erased any doubt. He mastered the technical nuances of robotic thoracic procedures with remarkable speed, underscoring his adaptability and surgical acumen.

Upon completion of his fellowship, Dr. Cambiaghi will be practicing as a
vascular and cardiac surgeon in an underserved community in South Dakota—a reflection of his commitment to providing high-quality, life-saving care where it is needed most.

We are incredibly proud of Dr. Cambiaghi and look forward to following his career as he brings the excellence of Houston Methodist training to patients and communities beyond our institution.

Division of Thoracic Surgery celebration graduation of Dr. Cambiaghi. 
Dr. Warren Naselsky, Dr. Min Kim, Dr. Tommaso Cambiaghi, Dr. Ray Chihara (left to right)

Fostering the Next Generation: Celebrating Our 2025 Graduating Chief Residents

One of the core missions of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Houston Methodist is the training and mentorship of general surgery residents. Our team is privileged to work with residents throughout their journey—from their first days as interns to their final year as chief residents. Watching them grow year after year—gaining not only the technical expertise required of a successful surgeon but also the clinical judgment and compassion that define excellent care—is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work.

As part of our commitment to surgical education, the Division recently launched a video-based curriculum designed to enhance resident preparation and accelerate learning in the operating room. Residents now have access to a curated library of operative videos that
align with their upcoming cases, providing them with visual context and technical insight. This program has already shown promise in helping residents approach surgery with greater confidence and understanding, advancing their development as thoughtful, skilled surgeons.

We are especially proud to recognize and congratulate the graduating chief residents of the Class of 2025. Dr. Ryan Alonzo and Dr. Yoon Kyung Lee will both be entering private practice, where they will bring their skills and dedication to patient care. Dr. Nana-yaw Bonsu will continue his training in a Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Christopher McMillian will pursue an Advanced GI/MIS Bariatric Fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern, and Dr. Mary Oh will also be continuing her training with an
Advanced GI/MIS Bariatric Fellowship at Loma Linda University Health.

We applaud their accomplishments and are excited to see how they will shape the future of surgery in the years to come.

Congratulations to our General Surgery Chiefs!
Dr. Nana-yaw Bonsu, Dr. Yoon (Kady) Lee, Dr. Mary Oh, Dr. Christopher McMillian, Dr. Ryan Alonzo (left to right)

Inspiring the Next Generation: The Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship 

The Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship at Houston Methodist is an unparalleled 10-week summer program designed for second- and third-year undergraduate students considering a future in medicine. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity for bright, motivated college students to gain first hand exposure to the clinical and academic environment of one of the nation’s leading cardiovascular centers.

Tailored to provide both depth and breadth, the internship includes rotations across a wide range of cardiovascular services. Interns gain insight into the diagnosis and management of complex cardiovascular and thoracic conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart and lung transplantation, and thoracic malignancies. Through direct observation of surgical procedures and
clinical care, students are introduced to the foundational skills required in the operating room and the hospital wards.

This summer, we had the pleasure of hosting eight outstanding college students, Anisha Sait, Alexa Christensen, Suran Somawardana, Sean Connoly, Nicole Wu, Andy Gu, Steve Karippai, and Mary Fuselier, who rotated through the thoracic surgery service. Their curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm were truly inspiring, and it was a privilege to contribute to their early medical education. From shadowing complex operations to engaging in conversations about research and clinical decision-making, these students embraced every opportunity to learn.

The Kadoorie Cardiovascular Internship reflects our commitment to cultivating the next generation of medical leaders and fostering early
exposure to the dynamic world of cardiovascular and thoracic care. We look forward to continuing this tradition and welcoming a new cohort of future physicians in the years to come.

Spotlight on Summer Rosenberg Fellow: Alexa Christensen Joins Thoracic Surgery Service 

This summer, the Division of Thoracic Surgery had the pleasure of hosting Alexa Christensen, the 2025 Fields Rosenberg Summer Surgical Fellow, as part of the highly selective Fields Rosenberg Summer Surgical Fellowship. Sponsored by Dr. Wade Rosenberg and led by Dr. Jeffrey Friedman of the Department of Surgery, this prestigious program offers outstanding undergraduate students a deeply immersive experience in surgical medicine.

Alexa, a rising junior at Johns Hopkins University and proud Houston native, is a graduate of St. John’s School. During her nine weeks with the division, she demonstrated a deep intellectual curiosity, maturity, and genuine enthusiasm for patient care. Her time on service included a wide range of hands-on experiences—from observing thoracic surgical
procedures in the OR, to participating in clinic visits, to rounding on post-operative patients. Her engagement and professionalism stood out, making her a valuable and appreciated presence on the team.

The culmination of Alexa’s fellowship was an oral presentation on the potential applications of artificial intelligence in thoracic surgery—an insightful and forward-thinking topic that showcased her keen interest in innovation and her thoughtful approach to the future of medicine.

It was a pleasure to have Alexa on the thoracic surgery service this summer. Her passion for medicine—and potentially for a future career in surgery—was evident throughout her time with us. We look forward to seeing where her talents and dedication will take her and are honored to have played
a part in her journey.

Alexa Christensen presented her research on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Thoracic Surgery

St. John’s School Summer Internship: A Glimpse into Thoracic Surgery

Dr. Min Kim and Sofia Kiyama

This summer, we had the privilege of sponsoring two St. John’s High School students, Sofia Kiyama and Grace Manuel, through the School’s Summer Internship Program. Over the course of two weeks, the students shadowed Dr. Kim and gained a firsthand look at the life of a thoracic surgeon.

Grace Manuel and Dr. Min Kim

The internship gave them valuable insight into the medical field and inspired them to keep medicine as a potential career path as they begin their college journey. Opportunities like this provide students not only with knowledge but also with the confidence to explore ambitious professional goals.

Study Identifies Factors Enabling Safe Next-Day Discharge After Pulmonary Lobectomy 

Anuj Shah, MD
Cardiothoracic Fellow

A recent study led by Dr. Anuj Shah and our thoracic surgery team, published in Annals of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports, highlights key factors that make safe next-day discharge possible for patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy.

The retrospective study analyzed 591 patients who underwent lobectomy, with 72 (12%) successfully discharged the day after surgery. These patients experienced significantly fewer complications (6.9% vs. 34.9%) without any increase in readmission or mortality rates.

Multivariate analysis revealed two modifiable predictors for next-day discharge: surgeon experience (odds ratio [OR] 3.60) and the use of the Da Vinci Xi robotic platform (OR 9.79).  Notably, 83% of the operations were performed robotically.

“These findings show that with experience and advanced minimally invasive techniques, next-day discharge after lobectomy is safe and feasible,” said Dr. Kim. “As robotic lobectomy continues to advance, early discharge may become an achievable standard for more patients.”

This research underscores our commitment to enhancing patient recovery and advancing surgical innovation in thoracic surgery.

Surgical Resection of Solitary Colorectal Lung Metastasis Linked to Best Survival 

Dr. Priya Arunachalam collaborated with our thoracic surgery team on research recently published in the Journal of Surgical Research, which demonstrates that surgical resection provides the best survival outcomes for patients with a solitary colorectal cancer metastasis to the lung following resection of the primary colon tumor.

Using data from the National Cancer Database (2010–2020), 2,976 patients with solitary colorectal lung metastases were analyzed. Among them, 10% underwent surgical resection, 5% received radiation therapy, and 85% received no local treatment to the metastasis. Patients who underwent surgical resection achieved a significantly higher five-year survival rate (42.7%) compared to those treated with radiation therapy (29.7%) or conservative management
(23.9%) (p<0.001).

Priya Arunachalam, MD
General Surgery Resident

On multivariable analysis, surgical resection remained an independent predictor of improved survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.68, 95% CI 0.58–0.80, p<0.001).

“These findings reinforce the importance of considering surgery for select patients with isolated colorectal lung metastases,” said Dr. Kim. “With appropriate cardiopulmonary testing and multidisciplinary evaluation, surgical resection offers the best chance for long-term survival.”

This research highlights the value of multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced surgical techniques in improving cancer outcomes.

Advancing Lung Cancer Surgery with Cytalux Technology 

Cytalux shows exact location of lung cancer during robotic wedge resection

The Division of Thoracic Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital s committed to advancing patient care through innovation. A recent example of this is the adoption of Cytalux, a groundbreaking technology that enhances the visualization of early-stage lung cancer during surgery.

Cytalux is administered prior to surgery, where it selectively binds to lung cancer cells. Under specialized imaging, this allows surgeons to better detect and precisely target cancerous tissue that might otherwise be difficult to see, improving surgical accuracy and outcomes.

Dr. Chihara dedicated his time and energy to safely introducing this technology, ensuring its integration into clinical practice. He performed the first procedure at Houston Methodist Hospital using Cytalux, demonstrating its potential to improve detection of early-stage disease. Since then, all of our thoracic surgeons have adopted Cytalux in clinical practice, marking a significant step forward in delivering cutting-edge care to our patients.

By embracing innovative tools like Cytalux, our team continues to push the boundaries of surgical excellence and provide our patients with the most advanced treatment options available.

Ray K. Chihara, MD, PhD

Warren C. Naselsky, MD, MS

Min P. Kim, MD