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.