Bio
Leah Backhus trained in general surgery at the University of Southern California and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of California Los Angeles. She practices at Stanford Hospital and is Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the VA Palo Alto. Her surgical practice consists of general thoracic surgery with special emphasis on thoracic oncology and minimally invasive surgical techniques. She is also involved in research with the Thoracic Surgical Health Services Research group, and has grant funding through the Veterans Affairs Administration. Her current research interests are in imaging surveillance following treatment for lung cancer and cancer survivorship. She is a member of the National Lung Cancer Roundtable of the American Cancer Society serving as Chair of the Task Group on Lung Cancer in Women. She also serves as a professional member of the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Advisory Panel on Improving Healthcare Systems. As an educator, Dr. Backhus is the Associate Program Director for the Thoracic Track Residency and serves on the ACGME Residency Review Committee for Thoracic Surgery which is the accrediting body for all cardiothoracic surgery training programs in the US.
Clinical Focus
- Thoracic Surgery
- Lung Cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Pectus Excavatum
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Esophageal Cancer
- Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
- Mediastinal Masses
Academic Appointments
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Associate Professor - Med Center Line, Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Member, Cardiovascular Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Co- Director, Thoracic Surgery Health Services Research (2016 - Present)
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Associate Program Director, Thoracic Track, CT Surgery Residency Training Program (2016 - Present)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Vice Chair, ACGME Thoracic Surgery Resident Review Committee (2016 - Present)
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Chair, Task Group, Lung Cancer in Women; National Lung Cancer Roundtable (American Cancer Society) (2017 - Present)
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Member, Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2010 - Present)
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Member, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, Membership Committee (2017 - Present)
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Member, PCORI Advisory Panel on Improving Healthcare Systems (2016 - Present)
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Member, Western Thoracic Surgical Association (2011 - Present)
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Member, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2016 - Present)
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Fellow, American College of Surgeons (2013 - Present)
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Member, Women in Thoracic Surgery (2010 - Present)
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Member, American Medical Association (2016 - Present)
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Member, Harkins Surgical Society (2010 - 2015)
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Executive Board Member, Artemis Medical Society (2012 - Present)
Professional Education
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Residency:UCLA Thoracic Surgery ResidencyCA
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Residency:LAC-USC Dept of Surgery (2007) CA
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Internship:LAC-USC Dept of Surgery (2001) CA
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MPH, University of Washington, Health Services
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Board Certification: Thoracic Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery (2010)
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Board Certification: General Surgery, American Board of Surgery (2008)
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Medical Education:University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (2000) CA
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AB, Stanford University, Human Biology
Community and International Work
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Artemis Medical Society
Populations Served
Diverse women physicians
Location
International
Ongoing Project
Yes
Opportunities for Student Involvement
Yes