Dr. Ryan Levy and Dr. Inderpal “Netu” Sarkaria Appointed Co-Chiefs of the Division of General Thoracic and Foregut Surgery at UPMC

We are pleased to announce that Ryan Levy, MD, and Inderpal “Netu” Sarkaria, MD, have been appointed as co-chiefs of the Division of General Thoracic and Foregut Surgery at UPMC.

Dr. Levy earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed his general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery training at UPMC. Under his leadership as chief of Thoracic Surgery at UPMC Passavant, the program has become one of the highest volume sites for complex lung and esophageal surgery in Pennsylvania. In addition, Dr. Levy was instrumental in introducing robotic bronchoscopy technology into the thoracic surgery program at UPMC. As vice chair of Thoracic Expansion and Community Outreach, Dr. Levy’s work has led to significant program growth and increased access for patients in western Pennsylvania. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed manuscripts with a focus on clinical outcomes of minimally invasive esophageal and lung surgery. Dr. Levy is a member of the Society of University Surgeons and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. He has been a leader and mentor to medical students, residents, and fellows, and he has a strong national reputation for fostering junior faculty members who have gone on to lead thoracic surgery programs across the country.

Dr. Sarkaria earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed his general surgery and cardiothoracic training at The Weill-Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital, and his thoracic surgery fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Sarkaria is an associate professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and chair of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery at UPMC. Throughout his career at UPMC, Dr. Sarkaria has served as vice chair for Clinical Affairs, director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery, director of Thoracic Surgery Quality and Outcomes, and co-director of the UPMC Esophageal and Lung Surgery Institute. Under his leadership, UPMC has become internationally recognized as a premier center for robotic thoracic surgery. Dr. Sarkaria is a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Society of University Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and served as the North American Director of the Upper GI International Robotic Association (UGIRA). He is the senior associate surgical editor for Clinical Lung Cancer and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. Dr. Sarkaria is frequently invited to lecture globally about the latest advances in robotic surgical technology and its clinical and educational applications in the field.

As national leaders in thoracic surgery, our experts have pioneered new minimally invasive surgical techniques and are dedicated to advancing the care of tomorrow through research and physician education. Our comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment modalities, along with the continued development of these innovative techniques, has allowed us to deliver the highest quality of care for a full range of cardiothoracic diseases and disorders.

We look forward to seeing Dr. Levy and Dr. Sarkaria’s contributions to this continued success.