Surgery
After completing my training in Massachusetts, I was recruited to Seattle to head a new general thoracic surgery section at UW Medicine, now the leading referral center for patients from all over the Pacific Northwest. Since coming here, I’ve earned a reputation as a national and international expert in the management of complex airway disease, end-stage lung disease and thoracic cancers and become the chair of the UW Department of Surgery. Along with treating patients, I’m also a professor who is passionate about training tomorrow’s surgeons. I hold the Henry N. Harkins Endowed Chair in Surgery at UW and have been a visiting professor at over 50 institutions worldwide. Over the years, I’ve also had the opportunity to play a major role in surgical and oncologic organizations, including as president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
For every patient I see, I try to take care of you as if you were a member of my own family. I strongly believe in giving you a prompt and efficient evaluation and clear explanations. Understanding all of your options helps you make good decisions about your care. One of the most important thing we can do as your care team is to complete your work-up and then define a treatment plan for you within a few days of your first phone call to our office so that you have the answers you need to move forward.
Area of clinical practice
Thoracic cancers
Esophageal cancer
My clinical expertise is in thoracic surgery and thoracic oncology, which includes not only the lungs, but also other structures of the chest, such as the esophagus, the mediastinum and the chest wall. The diseases I treat include esophageal cancer, sarcoma, mesothelioma and pulmonary and respiratory diseases.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer care is a main focus of my work at Fred Hutch as well as nationally and internationally. I’ve served as chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Lung Cancer Screening Panel and vice-chair of the NCCN Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Panel. These panels develop guidelines to help ensure people around the country who are at risk for or have lung cancer get screenings and treatments that are supported by evidence and approved by experts in the field. I also work extensively on noncancerous lung diseases, including emphysema. In addition to my clinical work, I’m also a scientist, with more than 20 research grants and 200 publications.
English
Medical Degree
Harvard Medical School
Residency
Massachusetts General Hospital, General Surgery
Fellowship
Massachusetts General Hospital, General Surgery
Board Certification
Thoracic Surgery, 1993, American Board of Thoracic Surgery; Surgery, 1990, American Board of Surgery
Seattle Met's 2022 Top Doctors award
Dr. Wood has received this peer-nominated award for his exceptional patient care multiple years in a row.
Seattle magazine's 2021 Top Doctors award
Dr. Wood has been recognized as a Top Doctor in this peer-nominated award multiple years in a row.
Distinguished Service Award
Presented in 2019 by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in honor of his outstanding work and significant contributions.
At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes doctors, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like nutritionists, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.
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