Dr. David Tom Cooke
Dr. David Tom Cooke is chief of general thoracic surgery at UC Davis Health. He specializes in treating patients with lung cancer, esophageal cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California.
- Professor of Thoracic Surgery at UC Davis Health
- Pleural Specialist A medical doctor who treats pleural mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that develops in the pleura, which is the thin lining that covers the lungs and chest wall.
- Expertise:
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Robotic Surgery
Lung Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Pleural Mesothelioma - Speciality:
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Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Gender:
-
Male
- Language:
-
English
Primary Location
- Other Doctors At This Location
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Dr. Jonathan Wesley RiessDirector of the Thoracic Oncology Program at UC Davis Health
Free Mesothelioma Treatment Guide
- Expertise:
-
Robotic Surgery
Lung Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Pleural Mesothelioma - Speciality:
-
Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Gender:
-
Male
- Language:
-
English
Get to Know Dr. David Tom Cook
Dr. David Tom Cooke specializes in complex thoracic surgeries, including those often needed to effectively treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer with no definitive cure.
Cooke plays a major role in the personalized, multidisciplinary care that has become synonymous with the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in Sacramento, California.
Since joining the specialists at UC Davis Health in 2012, Cooke has served in multiple capacities, including his latest role as chief of general thoracic surgery.
Other current titles include professor at the nationally recognized medical center, director of the General Thoracic Surgery Robotics Program and Task-Force Chair of the Comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program.
Cooke has a special interest in the treatment of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, interventional bronchoscopy, tracheal and airway surgery and mesothelioma.
In 2021, he was made president of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association, a national organization for cardiothoracic surgery residency program directors. Also in 2021, Cancer Health Magazine recognized him as one of the nation’s top 25 individuals who have helped break down racial barriers in cancer care.
Specialties of Dr. David Tom Cooke
- Lung cancer
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal stenting
- End-stage achalasia
- Hyperhidrosis surgery
- Navigational bronchoscopy
Dr. David Tom Cooke’s Experience and Education
- UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
- University of Michigan Medical School (Fellowship)
- Stanford University School of Medicine (Fellowship)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (Residency)
- Harvard Medical School (M.D.)
Awards and Certifications
- UC Davis Health Diamond Doc Award (2021)
- UC Davis Medical Center Chief of Staff Award (2021)
- The Cancer Health 25: Black Lives Matter recognition (2021)
- U.S. News & World Report National Ranking for Pulmonary and Lung Cancer Surgery (2019, 2020)
- UC Davis Deans’ Award for Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (2020)
- Sacramento Magazine’s Top Doctors List, 2018
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor in America, Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, 2015
- American Board of Surgery
- American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Publications of Dr. David Tom Cooke
- Wan, M.A. et al. (2020, November 17). Can the Risk Analysis for Frailty Predict Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Undergoing High-Risk Surgery? Annals of Surgery.
- Cooke, D.T. et al. (2014, July). Outcomes and efficacy of thoracic surgery biopsy for tumor molecular profiling in patients with advanced lung cancer. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
- Mery, C.M. et al. (2007, July). The road to innovation: emerging technologies in surgery. Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons.
- Balsam, L.B. et al. (2005, July). Early Inhibition of caspase-3 activity lessens the development of graft coronary artery disease. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.
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