Dr. Cooke’s philosophy of care motto is “Equality of Great Quality”. Dr. Cooke's theme Song is “Land of Hope and Dreams”, by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Cooke specializes in complex general thoracic surgery, thoracic oncology with a special interest in Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer, minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including Robotic Surgery with special interest in Robotic Lung Surgery and Robotic Esophagectomy; interventional bronchoscopy, including EBUS and navigational bronchoscopy; esophageal stenting; tracheal and airway surgery; surgery for mesothelioma, surgical treatment of end-stage achalasia, hyperhidrosis surgery, diaphragm plication and diaphragm pacing; complex esophageal reconstruction for discontinuity.

Additional interests include student mentoring, and community engagement and leadership.

Research/Academic Interests

Dr. Cooke's research interests involve clinical studies including oncologic trials, surgical outcomes/health services research, patient-centered outcomes research, translational research, surgical education and medical social media. Dr. Cooke has authored over 100 scholarly products, including peer-reviewed manuscripts and text-book chapters.

Division

Thoracic Surgery

Center/Program Affiliation

Cardiovascular Services
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
UC Davis Medical Group
Center for Healthcare Policy and Research

Undergraduate School

B.A., UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA 1994

Medical School

M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 1999

Internship

Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 1999-2000

Residency

Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 2000-2006

Fellowship

Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Research Fellow, Stanford CA 2002-2004

Fellowship

Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor MI 2006-2008

Elected to membership to the American Surgical Association, 2022

Elected to Board of Directors, American Board of Thoracic Surgery, 2021

UC Davis Health Diamond Doc Award - Patient Appreciation, 2021

Cancer Health Magazine; The Cancer Health 25: Black Lives Matter recognition, 2021

UC Davis Medical Center Chief of Staff Award, 2021

To view Dr. Cooke's publications, please click here.

Olive JK, Yost CC, Robinson JA, Brescia AA, Han JJ, Haney JC, Forbess JM, Varghese TK Jr, Backhus LM, Cooke DT, Cornwell LD, Preventza OA. Demographics of Current and Aspiring Integrated Six-Year Cardiothoracic Surgery Trainees. Ann Thorac Surg. 2022 Aug 4:S0003-4975(22)00994-8. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2022.06.051. Epub ahead of print. PMID:35934069.

Elfaki LA, Luc JGY, Antonoff MB, Cooke DT, Arora RC, Stamp N, Varghese TK Jr, Ouzounian M. Sex differences in authorship in cardiothoracic surgery during the early coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. JTCVS Open. 2022 May 13. doi:10.1016/j.xjon.2022.05.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID:35664693.

Chak EW, Cortez-Toledo E, Luna R, MacDonald S, Stewart SL, Cooke DT, Chen MS Jr. Electronic Population Health Tools Enhance Preventive Care for Older Adults. Am J Med. 2022 Feb 24:S0002-9343(22)00047-X. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.12.015. Epub ahead of print. PMID:35219688.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Esophageal and Esophagogastric Junction Cancers (Version 2.2022). J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2022.

Anderson D, Chen SA, Godoy LA, Brown LM, Cooke DT. Comprehensive Review of Chest Tube Management: A Review. JAMA Surg. 2022 Jan 26. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2021.7050. Epub ahead of print. PMID:35080596.

Shahian DM, Badhwar V, O'Brien SM, Habib RH, Han J, McDonald DE, Antman MS, Higgins RSD, Preventza O, Estrera AL, Calhoon JH, Grondin SC, Cooke DT. Executive Summary: Social Risk Factors in Society of Thoracic Surgeons Risk Models. Ann Thorac Surg. 2022 Jan 5:S0003-4975(22)00004-2. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.11.068. Epub ahead of print. PMID:34998733.

Shahian DM, Badhwar V, O'Brien SM, Habib RH, Han J, McDonald DE, Antman MS, Higgins RSD, Preventza O, Estrera AL, Calhoon JH, Grondin SC, Cooke DT. Social Risk Factors in Society of Thoracic Surgeons Risk Models Part 2: Review of Empirical Studies in Cardiac Surgery and Risk Model Recommendations. Ann Thorac Surg. 2022 Jan 5:S0003-4975(22)00005-4. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.11.069. Epub ahead of print. PMID:34998735.

Shahian DM, Badhwar V, O'Brien SM, Habib RH, Han J, McDonald DE, Antman MS, Higgins RSD, Preventza O, Estrera AL, Calhoon JH, Grondin SC, Cooke DT. Social Risk Factors in Society of Thoracic Surgeons Risk Models Part 1: Concepts, Indicator Variables, and Controversies. Ann Thorac Surg. 2022 Jan 5:S0003-4975(22)00003-0. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.11.067. Epub ahead of print. PMID:34998732.

Godoy LA, Hill E, Cooke DT. Social Disparities in Thoracic Surgery Education. Thorac Surg Clin. 2022 Feb;32(1):91-102. doi:10.1016/j.thorsurg.2021.09.010. PMID:34801200.