Northwell's Thoracic Surgery Program In New Hyde Park Earns Top Marks

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Two Northwell Health hospitals with thoracic surgery programs have been recognized for their quality care by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). And one of them is in New Hyde Park.

In reports released by STS, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park and Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan earned the highest possible ranking — three stars — in the Lobectomy for Lung Cancer and Pulmonary Resection for Lung Cancer categories. Fewer than 10 percent of thoracic surgery programs in North America have achieved such a ranking, according to Northwell.

The latest reports included results from 214 general thoracic surgery programs, which submitted data to the STS between July 2018 and June 2021. One category analyzed outcomes for lobectomy procedures, in which an entire lobe of the lung is removed. The procedure is most commonly performed to treat lung cancer, according to Northwell.

During that same reporting period, the STS issued its first-ever composite star rating for pulmonary resection for lung cancer that includes lobectomy, wedge resection, and other types of lung resections.

"Congratulations to both Lenox Hill Hospital and LIJ Medical Center for achieving top recognition in their field demonstrating their leadership and superior outcomes in thoracic oncology surgery," said Dr. Alan Hartman, senior vice president and executive director of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Northwell. "These fantastic patient outcomes are due to the commitment and expertise of the entire thoracic surgery teams — our nurses, anesthesiologists, intensivists, physician assistants, nurses, and the perioperative staff."

About 136,000 people die of lung cancer in the U.S. every year, making it the leading cause of cancer death in the country, according to Northwell. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 236,000 new cases will be diagnosed in America this year, with the rate of new cases varying by state.

If caught early, experts believe many lung cancers can be treated with minimally invasive robotic techniques for surgery.

Northwell's system director of thoracic surgery, Dr. Paul Lee, says such techniques give patients a faster recovery time and are less painful than other technologies. They are used about 98 percent of the time at hospitals, like LIJ and Lenox Hill.

"Very few thoracic surgery teams attain the prestigious three-star rating in lung cancer surgery," Lee said. "When patients come to Northwell, they are not only getting a top surgeon, but a team of highly qualified health care professionals working together every day committed to achieving the best quality outcomes for patients.

"Patients and family members may select a surgeon for a procedure but actually consumers should also know they are picking an experienced, A-plus team for total lung cancer surgery care."