Dr. Vanessa T. Schroder

A significant portion of my practice involves advanced minimally invasive techniques in thoracic surgery to treat diseases such as lung or esophageal cancer. Another part of my clinical practice is spent taking care of patients with severe lung disease, especially those needing lung transplantation. Patients from all over the world come to Duke for lung transplantation. Research demonstrates that experience is very important in taking care of complex medical problems, both on the surgical side and on the medical side. We have one of the largest transplant centers in the world with excellent survival statistics, as well as the shortest wait list time. Instead of the national average which may be four to six months, our patients wait an average of about two weeks. One of the best aspects of being a patient or working at Duke is the people who work here. No matter how challenging the medical problems may be or what problems may arise, I know there’s a world’s expert a phone call away who can help intervene and I know that my patients will be cared for by committed Duke staff from across the hospital. Dr. Hartwig is highly rated in 15 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Hiatal Hernia, Esophageal Cancer, Lung Transplant, and Endoscopy.

Throughout my medical career, I have remained dedicated to improving my patients' quality of life. As a specialist in adult cervical and spinal deformity surgery, I understand the significant impact our interventions have on individuals suffering from debilitating pain and physical and mental health challenges. Spinal deformity surgery merges the complexities of spinal biomechanics with the needs of an aging population. My research focuses on spinal alignment, biomechanics, innovative surgical techniques, and health economics to ensure value-based care that enhances patient outcomes. Dr. Passias is highly rated in 24 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lordosis, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Osteotomy, and Spinal Fusion.

I am a surgical oncologist and researcher who specializes in treating patients with endocrine tumors. Specifically, I see patients who have thyroid cancers, parathyroid disease, adrenal tumors and melanoma. I enjoy taking care of patients with cancers because the amount of trust and faith that they place in their doctors is special. Treating cancers allows you to develop a powerful relationship with a patient and their loved ones in a very short period of time, which is also unique. My favorite part of being a surgeon is seeing a patient with a problem and successfully seeing them through the surgical process. I believe in guiding each patient to their long-term goal based on their specific needs. When I am at home, I enjoy spending time with my family and being active outdoors by running, hiking, or gardening. Dr. Scheri is highly rated in 18 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Cancer, Hyperparathyroidism, Parathyroid Cancer, Thyroidectomy, and Parathyroidectomy.