Siva Raja, MD, PhD
Primary Location
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- Appointment:
- 216.445.6860
- Desk:
- 216.444.4063
- Fax:
- 216.636.6996
Treatment & Services
- Abdominal Surgery
- Bronchial Biopsy
- Bronchoscopy
- Bronchus Surgery
- Cancer Center
- Chest Surgery
- Claggetts Window
- Complex Abdominal Hernia Repair
- Decortication
- Diaphragm Surgery
- Diverticulectomy
- Epigastric Hernia Repair
- Esophageal Dilation
- Esophageal Surgery
- Esophagectomy
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
- Esophagus Endoscopy
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- GERD Surgery
- Heller Myotomy
- High Risk Reoperation Surgery
- Hyperhidrosis
- Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery
- Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
- Lobectomy, VATS Lobectomy
- Lung Biopsy
- Lung Cancer Surgery
- Lung Lesion Surgery
- Lung Surgery
- Mediastinal Biopsy Surgery
- Mediastinal Masses Surgery
- Mediastinal surgery
- Mediastinum Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgeries
- Nodulectomy
- Pericardial Window
- Pericardium Surgery
- Pleurectomy
- Pneumonectomy
- Removal of Part or Whole Lung
- Robotic Esophagectomy
- Robotic Surgery
- Robotic Thoracic Surgery
- Robotically Assisted Thoracic Surgery
- Robotically Assisted Thymectomy
- Sleeve Lobectomy
- Stomach Surgery
- Surgical Biopsy of Thoracic Lymph Nodes
- Surgical Treatment of Lung Nodules
- Thoracentesis
- Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Section
- Thoracic Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery Department
- Thoracoscopic Surgery
- Thymectomy
- Thymus Gland Surgery
- Tracheostomy
- Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
- Wedge Resection
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Abdominal Abscess
- Abdominal Hernia
- Achalasia: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Angiosarcomas
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Cancer
- Collapsed Lung
- Collis Nissen/Nissen
- Diaphragm Hernia
- Epiphrenic Diverticulum
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Diseases
- Esophageal Perforation
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophagitis
- Esophagus Disease
- Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
- Hiatal Hernia
- Hyperhidrosis
- Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
- Lung Abscess
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Nodules
- Lungs
- Mediastinal Tumor
- Pericardial Effusion
- Pleural Effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary Nodules
- Rare Cancer and Blood Disease Program
- Stomach Cancer
- Swallowing Disorders
- Thoracic Cancer
- Thymic Tumors
- Thymoma
- Tracheoesophageal Fistula
- Windpipe Injury
- Zenker's Diverticulum
Insurance
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View All PlansAbout Siva Raja, MD, PhD
Siva Raja, MD, PhD, is Surgical Director of the Center for Esophageal Diseases and a staff thoracic surgeon in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic. He is board certified in surgery.
Specialty interests: Achalasia, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, Hiatal hernia, cancers and tumors of the chest and chest wall, minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery and procedures. POEM surgery, general thoracic surgery, robotic surgery, reflux, esophageal failure.
Number of Procedures Performed: Cleveland Clinic performs more than 1,700 thoracic procedures each year. All Cleveland Clinic thoracic surgeons complete between 350-450 thoracic cases per year. Dr. Raja specializes in esophageal surgeries including Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy, POEM which is an incision-less technique to treat achalasia.
Success rates: Cleveland Clinic thoracic surgeons perform a wide range of conditions, including lung, esophageal, chest wall, pleural, tracheal, mediastinal, foregut and diaphragm disease. Cleveland Clinic contributes to the Society of Thoracic Surgery Database in order to maintain the highest possible standards. Our outcomes include the lowest risk-adjusted mortality rate for lobectomy and esophagectomy in the nation. Success rates for specific procedures are available at http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/about-heart-vascular-institute/treatment-outcomes.aspx
Education and Training: Dr. Raja earned his medical degree and a PhD in molecular and cellular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine, Pa. During his medical school career, Dr. Raja completed one-year research fellowships in thoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and with the National Institute for Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at Vanderbilt University, NasHVTIlle, Tenn. Dr. Raja completed a general surgery residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, where he was named Chief Resident in his final year of training. He came to Cleveland Clinic in 2009 as a fellow in cardiothoracic surgery and was appointed to the medical staff in 2012.
Publications and Speaking: Since 2000, Dr. Raja has authored more than two dozen articles in leading surgery journals on esophageal cancer, lung cancer and other thoracic diseases, and he has contributed chapters to five medical textbooks. Dr. Raja has given presentations at meetings of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and other professional organizations.
About Dr. Raja: “Thoracic surgery has become an integral part of my life. It’s what I live and breathe on a daily basis and that’s what makes me a better doctor.”
Leisure activities: Golf, spending time with family
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
2012
Education & Fellowships
Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cleveland,
OH USA
2012
Residency - Brigham & Women's Hospital
General Surgery
Boston,
MA USA
2009
Graduate School - University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh,
PA USA
2004
Medical Education - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh,
PA USA
2000
Undergraduate - Muhlenberg College
Allentown,
PA USA
1996
Certifications
- Surgery - General Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery - Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
Specialty Interests
Achalasia, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, Hiatal hernia, cancers and tumors of the chest and chest wall, minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery and procedures. POEM surgery, general thoracic surgery, robotic surgery, reflux, esophageal failure.
Awards & Honors
- Charles H Bryan Clinical Excellence in Residency Award.
- 2012Thoracic Surgery In-service achievement award. 2010.
- Allegheny Medical Society Student Award. 2004.
Research & Publications
See publications for Siva Raja, MD, PhD.
(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.
To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.
As of 4/7/2020, Dr. Raja has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
213 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.
| Overall | Star Ratings | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.8 | |
| Listens | 4.8 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.9 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.9 |
49 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Jun 30, 2021
I am very grateful and extremely impressed with the knowledge, skill, kindness, and care I received at the clinic.Dr. Raja and his team went above and beyond to accommodate me as I traveled from out of town.
Reviewed on Jun 30, 2021
Dr. Raja explained all my options and was open and accommodating. I'm very grateful for his service.
Reviewed on Jun 24, 2021
Dr. Raja was totally competent and caring. the entire experience at The Cleveland Clinic amazing. everyone is not only extremely capable but also they all put the patient's needs and concerns first.
Reviewed on Jun 23, 2021
Dr. Roja was terrific. He explained very well about any upcoming issues in the future. I will be coming back if any issues arrive. Thank you so much.
Reviewed on Jun 21, 2021
Compared to the same type of virtual consultation with a doctor from a different practice, I was impressed by the thoroughness of detail provided included sharing visually and highlighting portions of my test results during explanations.
Reviewed on Jun 16, 2021
I am always impressed by Dr. Raja. He thoroughly explained my condition and his thoughts on our next direction for care.
Reviewed on Jun 14, 2021
Dr. Raja has excellent bedside manner. He took his time to explain the procedure and answer any questions.
Reviewed on Jun 10, 2021
once we could get in contact with our provider, the care was excellent
Reviewed on Jun 9, 2021
dr. raja was wonderful
Reviewed on May 26, 2021
Dr. Raja is an outstanding physician. I have a complicated case which he is assessing in a thorough, professional, knowledgeable and comprehensive, manner. I trust his judgment and abilities implicitly above all other physicians. He is honest and compassionate and I cannot speak highly enough about his experience and abilities or his concern for my well-being. I feel very fortunate to be a patient of his.
Reviewed on May 26, 2021
Doctor Raja was wonderful and his nurse Paula Stepnick was equally great... In both scheduling and rescheduling My appointment.
Reviewed on May 24, 2021
For the first time in a really long time, Dr. Siva allowed me to feel "heard." He has given me hope that I won't have to live this way the rest of my life.
Reviewed on May 24, 2021
I felt a lot of confidence in Dr Raja and Cleveland Clinic but communication paths are definitely set up to "protect" the providers and offices, not provide caring attention to patients in difficult medical circumstances - even though every person I had to keep pushing to go to was very kind
Reviewed on May 19, 2021
Dr Raja is a wonderful surgeon
Reviewed on May 12, 2021
I was very impressed how the clinic stayed on schedule. But clinic duties for Dr. Raja I did have to wait a awhile and once I had to reschedule. Dr. Raja was awesome at me feel at ease with my upcoming surgery and I knew it would help me with my problem
Reviewed on May 12, 2021
fantastic dr and nurses recommend to everyone.
Reviewed on Apr 30, 2021
*Dr. Raya is a "top shelf" doctor. Excellent experience. He is the best. It was my honor to have him as a doctor. The entire team outstanding!
Reviewed on Apr 19, 2021
the NP and the Doctor took their time with us and explained everything
Reviewed on Apr 14, 2021
Dr Raja talks too fast when explaining things to you
Reviewed on Apr 7, 2021
Dr. Raja is amazing. His professionalism and knowledge of my particular problem is outstanding. I'm always confident when he is performing any procedure on me.
Reviewed on Mar 17, 2021
Dr Raja knowledge and reassuring manner makes you as a patient confident of the outcome.
Reviewed on Mar 17, 2021
DR Raja spent a good amount of time explaining his findings and the possible avenue for care.
Reviewed on Mar 15, 2021
dr raja was so welcoming and showed confidence that you would look for with a surgeon. he was amazingly willing to answer and explain all questions and concerns. he was amazing
Reviewed on Mar 1, 2021
Great experience in meeting with my provider.
Reviewed on Feb 26, 2021
Excellent Experience!!!! I would like to say a special Thank You to Dr. Raja who made time to see me in between surgeries, so I did have to make an additional trip from Columbus, OH to meet with him. This was his doing. I was scheduled to see him on a different day, but Dr. Raja changed it.
Reviewed on Feb 24, 2021
I am experiencing a life changing event. Before entering CC and looked at its scale I felt like a number. With every touch within the organization I am comforted and relieved. Dr Raja, Dr Patal and PA Paula have been exceptional.
Reviewed on Feb 24, 2021
0ver all the very best of the best in personal, doctors and staff. that is why i came to the cleveland clinic.
Reviewed on Jan 6, 2021
Dr. Raja saved my life. I am forever grateful to him.
Reviewed on Dec 18, 2020
very positive telehealth experience. Dr. Raja was easy to talk to and very informative.
Reviewed on Dec 16, 2020
dr raja was very good very happy
Reviewed on Dec 16, 2020
Dr Raja is a great doctor
Reviewed on Nov 18, 2020
I have been coming to Cleveland Clinic since September of 2017. Dr. Raja was one of my team of doctors since then. I cant say enough good things about CC and all the doctors, nurses and technicians I have had through chemo, radiation, surgery, recovery and maintenance. I cant imagine going anywhere else.
Reviewed on Oct 28, 2020
was impressed at the compassion and so concerning about my situation. would recommend Dr Raja highly
Reviewed on Oct 26, 2020
Dr. Raja provided the information I was looking for, answered my questions, and was very supportive. He was very caring and I didn't feel rushed or pressured to make a decision.
Reviewed on Oct 17, 2020
I am blessed and grateful for my doctors! Thank you! *Dr. Raja saw my need to immediate care and took my care into his hands to take care of my condition!
Reviewed on Oct 14, 2020
Dr. S. Raja was "Very Good". He was courteous, showed genuine concern about my questions, explained my condition, and the propose of the treatment in the way I understood.
Reviewed on Oct 12, 2020
I was referred by a local surgeon for a second opinion Dr Raji was the third surgeon we spoke with
Reviewed on Oct 12, 2020
The doctor provided alternative treatments and clearly explained options and opinions given by other providers I felt the doctor was extremely patient and thorough
Reviewed on Oct 7, 2020
very kind, considerate, staff and doctor. spoke to us as a person didn't stand above us as to dominate, as other medical professionals have. in tune to my medical condition and truly was concerned for my health and wellbeing. I can't say enough about Dr. Raja and his staff, except thank you.
Reviewed on Oct 7, 2020
Dr. Raja is the first physician that actually cares about me and my medical Condition.
Reviewed on Sep 14, 2020
physician very insightful and caring explained all options and what he would be doing ehich was comforting to me
Reviewed on Sep 9, 2020
I have and will continue to recommend Dr Siva Raja to anyone having any similar unfortunate medical issues as I had.
Reviewed on Sep 9, 2020
Dr. Raja and staff were so kind during my procedure.. They were professional but at the same time provided a relaxed atmosphere.
Reviewed on Aug 26, 2020
from the beginning any contact with Dr Raja has been an easy and enjoyable experience. I fully believe Dr. Raja and his entire staff are a major contribution in keeping CC Main Campus a world leader in healthcare.
Reviewed on Aug 11, 2020
My doctor made it possible for me to have surgery.
Reviewed on Aug 8, 2020
*Dr. Raja was especially kind and helpful & fully described my options.
Reviewed on Aug 3, 2020
I actually had a breathing test the same day and go finished way early. pulmonary lab called Dr. rajas office and they got us in early. very accommodating.
Reviewed on Aug 3, 2020
have great deal of confidence in Dr Raja
Reviewed on Jul 21, 2020
*Dr. Raja is an excellent doctor!