David Tom Cooke to lead national thoracic surgeon association

Chief of UC Davis Health’s Division of General Thoracic Surgery becomes first African American to hold the post

(SACRAMENTO)

David Tom Cooke, chief of general thoracic surgery at UC Davis Health, was voted president-elect of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association (TSDA) and will assume the position on May 1, 2021. Cooke becomes the first African American to hold the position and will transition to president of the 43-year-old organization in May 2023. His term runs until May 2025. 

David Tom Cooke, chief of general thoracic surgery at UC Davis, to serve as president-elect of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association.
David Tom Cooke, chief of general thoracic surgery at UC Davis, to serve as president-elect of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association.

Prior to Cooke’s term as president-elect, he served as councilor on the TSDA Executive Committee, from May 2017 to May 2021. Cooke succeeds A. J. Carpenter, a UC Davis cardiothoracic surgery fellowship alumna, who is now with University of Texas Health.  

The TSDA was established in 1978 as a membership organization for cardiothoracic surgery residency program directors. TSDA provides resources and networking opportunities for program directors and program coordinators, and supplemental curriculum materials and resources for general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery residents.  

Past presidents include Hermes Grillo, John Benfield, Mark Orringer and Edward Verrier

UC Davis Health is improving lives and transforming health care by providing excellent patient care, conducting groundbreaking research, fostering innovative, interprofessional education, and creating dynamic, productive partnerships with the community. The academic health system includes one of the country’s best medical schools, a 627-bed acute-care teaching hospital, a 1,000-member physician's practice group and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. It is home to a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, an international neurodevelopmental institute, a stem cell institute and a comprehensive children’s hospital. Other nationally prominent centers focus on advancing telemedicine, improving vascular care, eliminating health disparities and translating research findings into new treatments for patients. Together, they make UC Davis a hub of innovation that is transforming health for all. For more information, visit health.ucdavis.edu.

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