Frank Detterbeck, MD, FACS, FCCP
Dr. Frank Detterbeck is board-certified in general surgery as well as in thoracic and cardiac surgery. As Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Yale Cancer Center, he has earned a national reputation for performing minimally invasive surgeries for the treatment of lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, and other thoracic malignancies and life-threatening diseases. In addition to valuing the strides being made in new surgical techniques, including robotic surgery, Dr. Detterbeck prioritizes his patients’ mental well-being. He has high praise for the tools that are making surgery possible for patients previously considered to be too high risk, but also believes that they are only part of care, and stresses the importance of listening to what his patients have to say.[1]
Education and Career
Dr. Detterbeck earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Cell Biology at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and followed his undergraduate education by attending Northwestern University for medical school. He completed his internship and residency in General Surgery at Virginia Mason Clinic in Seattle, Washington, where he was named Chief Resident, and followed that experience with cardiothoracic and thoracic transplantation fellowships at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[2]
Dr. Detterbeck remained at the University of North Carolina for several years and rose to the rank of professor of surgery before joining Yale University in 2005. Today he serves as Professor of Surgery (Thoracic Surgery) at the Yale School of Medicine as well as Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Director of Thoracic Oncology at Yale Cancer Center and the Smilow Cancer Hospital. He is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.[2]
Memberships and Honors
Dr. Detterbeck has been recognized by numerous organizations for the quality of his care and his teaching acumen. The honors he has received include:[1]
- Connecticut Magazine’s Top Doctors 2015 and 2016
- Listed in Who’s Who in Medicine Higher Education
- Listed in Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors for Cancer
- Elton Cahow Teaching Award, Yale Department of Surgery
Research
Dr. Detterbeck’s focus on thoracic oncology has led to him being actively involved in research. He has written over 150 papers and book chapters on the topic and holds leadership positions in many of the major professional societies associated with thoracic surgery. He has been invited to present lectures on numerous topics at institutions and meetings all around the world. He also played a leading role in establishing international guidelines for lung cancer staging.[2]
