Lorraine D. Cornwell, MD, FACS
Dr. Lorraine D. Cornwell is a thoracic and cardiothoracic surgeon at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Her practice is directed toward providing state-of-the-art thoracic oncologic and cardiac surgical services to the country’s military veterans diagnosed with an array of diseases and conditions, including asbestos-related lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma.[1]
Veterans of America’s Armed Forces – and particularly Navy veterans – represent a significant portion of mesothelioma victims diagnosed in the United States as a result of their high level of exposure to asbestos in military settings.Dr. Cornwell specializes in the use of minimally invasive technologies including video-assisted thoracic surgical lobectomy and the DaVinci robot.[1]
Education and Career
After graduating from Duke University, Dr. Cornwell earned her medical degree at the UNC at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and remained there for her internship and General Surgery residency. She then completed an additional residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.[1]
After completing her medical education and training, Dr. Cornwell accepted a role as an attending cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in New Jersey followed by a role as Assistant Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine before taking on her responsibilities at the Michael E, DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas.[1]
Professional Activities and Memberships
Dr. Cornwell is a member of several professional medical organizations, including:[1]
- American College of Surgeons
- American Medical Association
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- Association of Veterans Affairs Surgeons
- American Women’s Medical Association
- Women in Thoracic Surgery
- American Association for Thoracic Surgery
Research
Dr. Cornwell’s research focuses on the optimization of clinical outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery, especially minimally invasive procedures, off-pump CABG, valve repair, and video-assisted thoracic surgical lobectomy.[1]
Her publications include:[1]
- Cervera R, Bakaeen FG, Cornwell LD, Wang XL, Coselli JS, Lemaire SA, Chu D “Impact of functional status on survival after coronary artery bypass grafting in a veteran population..” Ann. Thorac. Surg.. 2012 Jun;93(6):1950-5. Pubmed PMID: 22560262
- Cajipe MD, Chu D, Bakaeen FG, Casal RF, Lemaire SA, Coselli JS, Cornwell LD “Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is associated with better perioperative outcomes than open lobectomy in a veteran population..” Am. J. Surg.. 2012 Nov;204(5):607-12. Pubmed PMID: 22959921
- Melendez J, Cornwell L, Green L, Casal RF “Treatment of large subglottic tracheal schwannoma with microdebrider bronchoscopy..” J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.. 2012 Aug;144(2):510-2. Pubmed PMID: 22342475
- Tuluca A, Al-Najjar R, Cornwell LD, Blaustein A, Hamill R, Darouiche RO, Bakaeen FG “Bioprosthetic mitral valve endocarditis after percutaneous device closure of severe paravalvular leak..” Ann. Thorac. Surg.. 2013 May;95(5):1787-9. Pubmed PMID: 23608262
