Catholic Health Appoints New System Chair of Thoracic Surgery

Catholic Health has appointed Abbas E. Abbas, MD, MS, FACS, as its inaugural System Chair of Thoracic Surgery and Associate Director of Surgical Oncology.

In this role, Dr. Abbas will lead the development and oversight of a system-wide thoracic surgery service line, with a focus on clinical excellence, medical education and clinical research. The service line will specialize in the treatment of lung and esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, mesothelioma and a broad range of benign thoracic conditions, including tracheomalacia, hiatal hernia, achalasia, thoracic outlet syndrome and chest wall pectus deformities.

Dr. Abbas is internationally renowned for adopting minimally invasive robotic techniques into complex thoracic procedures and providing innovative surgical alternatives that expand treatment options for patients. He brings more than 20 years of experience in advanced thoracic surgery to Catholic Health.

“Dr. Abbas is a nationally and internationally respected leader whose expertise, vision and commitment to innovation will significantly advance thoracic surgical care across our system,” said Gary Gecelter, MD, FACS, director of surgical services and chairman of general surgery at Catholic Health’s St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center. “His dedication to education and research, combined with his patient-centered approach, aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver the highest quality care at every encounter.”

“I am honored to join Catholic Health at a time of tremendous opportunity,” said Dr. Abbas. “My vision is to establish a leading, fully integrated thoracic surgery program that expands impactful clinical research, educates the next generation of thoracic surgical leaders and delivers minimally invasive solutions in even the most complex cases. Above all, we’re building a program that will help ensure our patients have access to the most advanced and compassionate care possible.”

Prior to joining Catholic Health, Dr. Abbas served as Professor and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, where he directed the clinical, educational and research missions of the Pulmonary and Esophageal Surgery programs. He has held academic appointments at The Ohio State University, Tulane University and Temple University, and previously served as President of the Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society. He currently serves on the boards of multiple professional societies and is widely recognized as a key opinion leader in the field of thoracic surgery.

Dr. Abbas earned his medical degree from Ain Shams University School of Medicine in Cairo, Egypt. He completed his general surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Board-certified in both general and thoracic surgery, Dr. Abbas has authored numerous peer-reviewed clinical publications and is a highly regarded international speaker.