Robert J. Cerfolio, MD is Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham. Dr. Cerfolio earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester in New York, remaining in the area for medical school and earning his MD at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1988. The following year, he served an internship at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, also in the Rochester area. Dr, Cerfolio completed his residencies at both Cornell University School of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic. He remained at the Mayo Clinic for a fellowship from 1993 to 1996.

The main focus of Dr. Cerfolio's practice is thoracic-related cancer surgery, particularly esophageal and lung cancer, but also cancers like mesothelioma, which invade the chest wall. He has performed procedures on patients with tumors that invade the ribs and diaphragm and those who have a rare cancer of the thymus gland.

Procedures regularly performed by Dr. Cerfolio include thymectomies for myasthenia gravis, tracheal reconstruction surgery, repair of bronchopleural fistula, video assisted thoracoscopy, chest wall resection and reconstruction, resection of mediastinal masses and video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures for patients with hyperhydrosis (sweating hands and feet).

Dr. Cerfolio has done extensive research into finding ways to make recovery quicker and lessen pain after operations. His innovative procedures, such as the development of ways to open and close the chest which cause less pain and hasten a patients' return to work and other activities, have succeeded in shortening hospital stays and reducing patient trauma. Developing techniques for surgery for the elderly population has also been a concern for Dr. Cerfolio, as he recognizes the special needs of older surgical candidates.

Dr. Cerfolio is a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgeons, the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network, the General Thoracic Surgical Club, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

In addition, Dr. Cerfolio has written many articles for professional journals and has presented papers at many prestigious medical conferences and other events. Specific topics include use of positron emission tomography (PET scans) in patients with lung cancer and esophageal cancer, surgery and post-operative care in elderly patients, and the treatment of air leaks.

As a tribute to his knowledge and his cutting-edge research, Dr. Cerfolio has continuously been rated one of America's top doctors by committees of his peers, particularly in the field of thoracic surgery.

Contact Information:
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
703 19th Street
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
Phone: 205.934.5937

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