Dr Samer Kanaan, MD

Dr. Samer Kanaan is an award-winning thoracic surgeon who is dedicated to the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the chest, using minimally invasive procedures, including video-assisted thoracic surgery and robotic-assisted technologies. He uses state-of-the-art surgical techniques and cancer therapies, with a major focus in lung and esophageal cancer.

Dr. Kanaan completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Southern California. In addition, he was a research fellow in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Kanaan completed his residency in general surgery from Northwestern University’s McGaw Medical Center in Chicago. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Evanston, Ill., and also received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Northwestern University.

Recently. Kanaan was selected as a surveyor for The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. As a surveyor, Dr. Kanaan’s primary focus will be on Integrated Network Cancer Program (INCP) surveys and plans to verify that accredited programs are providing high-quality integrated cancer care to their patients in compliance with CoC standards.

Dr. Kanaan currently serves as the Program Director for the RCH/Sarah Cannon Thoracic Surgical Oncology Program. In this role, Dr. Kanaan advises on new cancer studies and serves on the Robotic Surgery Steering Committee to support strategies and help achieve goals. He also participates in the Thoracic Cancer Committee to help RCH deliver academic-level cancer care and represent HCA’s Far West Division at Sarah Cannon National Work Group.

Furthermore, Dr. Kanaan is involved in resident and nursing education, providing nursing critical care education for post-thoracic surgical patients giving support, guidance and education to GME residents as related to thoracic surgery.