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Dr. Ruchi Thanawala is a distinguished thoracic surgeon, data scientist, and academic leader known for her interdisciplinary work at the intersection of surgery, informatics, and decision sciences. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Thoracic Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon. She also holds prominent leadership roles as Director of the Surgical Data and Decision Sciences Laboratory and Associate Program Director of the Clinical Informatics Sub-specialty Fellowship within the Department of Surgery at OHSU.
Dr. Thanawala earned both her MD and MS degrees, followed by board certification in thoracic surgery and fellowship status in the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Her clinical expertise lies in minimally invasive thoracic surgical techniques, with a particular focus on lung cancer, esophageal disease, and mediastinal pathology. She is known for her patient-centered approach, evidence-based practice, and innovative use of data to drive surgical decision-making.
As Director of the Surgical Data and Decision Sciences Lab, Dr. Thanawala leads a multidisciplinary team of researchers working to transform surgical care through advanced analytics, machine learning, and real-time clinical decision support. Her research agenda includes improving outcomes in thoracic surgery, enhancing perioperative risk stratification, and designing tools that integrate seamlessly into surgical workflows. Her work is widely recognized for bridging clinical practice with computational sciences, and she is frequently invited to speak on surgical informatics and data-driven healthcare systems.
Dr. Thanawala also plays a key role in medical education at OHSU. As Associate Program Director for the Clinical Informatics Sub-specialty Fellowship, she helps train the next generation of physician-informaticians, equipping them to lead innovation at the interface of clinical care, health data, and technology. Her commitment to mentorship and education has made her a respected figure among residents, fellows, and junior faculty.
Throughout her career, Dr. Thanawala has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, presented at national and international conferences, and contributed to professional societies in both surgery and informatics. She is an active advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration in medicine and continues to pioneer work that elevates the role of data and technology in complex surgical decision-making.
Her leadership and scholarship reflect a rare integration of surgical excellence, academic rigor, and digital innovation—making Dr. Thanawala one of the most forward-thinking voices in the evolving landscape of cardiothoracic surgery.