Pulmonology & Lung Surgery | Featured Specialties | UC Davis Health

Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

Ranked #34 nationally and rated high-performing in lung cancer surgery, COPD and pneumonia.

Thoracic surgeon David Cooke in operating room with US News and World Report Best Hospitals Pulmonology and Lung Surgery 2025-2026 badge overlaid.
Digital illustration of lungs within a male body.
LUNG HEALTH

Innovative Lung Treatment for Severe Emphysema

Interventional pulmonologists at UC Davis Health are expanding treatment options for patients with severe emphysema through the BREATHE-3 clinical trial, which provides access to the investigational Apreo BREATHE Airway Scaffold. UC Davis Medical Center is the only site in California participating in the trial and successfully treated its first patient in January.

CLINICAL SCIENCE

New National Guidelines for Safe CT Lung Cancer Screening

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center experts helped develop new national recommendations for patients undergoing low-dose CT lung cancer screening. Published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the guidelines provide evidence-based standards to improve quality, consistency and safety in the evaluation and treatment of patients after suspicious screening findings.

Pulmonology and lung surgery team during lung procedure.
Researcher with microscope.
RESEARCH

Nation’s First NIH R38 Training Grant for Human and Vet Research

The five-year award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute funds UC Davis Health’s Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program, which offers mentored research opportunities for internal medicine residents specializing in pulmonary, hematology, and cardiovascular medicine, as well as veterinary residents.

Awards and Recognitions
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U.S. News Best Hospitals badge: Ranked in 6 specialties, 2026-27

Ranked among the best in 6 specialties

A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer care, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.

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U.S. News Best Best Hospitals badge: Pulmonology & lung surgery, 2026-27

Nationally ranked #34

U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Medical Center among the nation’s best in pulmonology & lung surgery.

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U.S. News High performing hospitals badge: Lung cancer surgery, 2026-27

Ranked high-performing in lung cancer surgery

U.S. News & World Report rated UC Davis Medical Center high-performing in lung cancer surgery.

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U.S. News High performing hospitals badge: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 2026-27

Ranked high-performing in COPD treatment

U.S. News & World Report rated UC Davis Medical Center high-performing in COPD treatment.

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U.S. News High performing hospitals badge: Pneumonia, 2026-27

Ranked high-performing in pneumonia treatment

U.S. News & World Report rated UC Davis Medical Center high-performing in pneumonia treatment.

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NCI badge: Designated comprehensive cancer center

World-class cancer care

One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

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Magnet recognized badge: American Nurses Credentialing Center

The nation’s highest nursing honor

UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

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U.S. News Best Regional Hospitals badge: Sacramento metro, recognized in 23 types of care, 2026-27

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and recognized in 23 types of care including acute kidney failure, cancer care, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, diabetes & endocrinology, ear, nose & throat surgery, gastroenterology & GI surgery, geriatrics, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, pneumonia, pulmonology & lung surgery and stroke.

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