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
- Achalasia Diagnosis and Treatment
- Bronchial Biopsy
- Bronchoscopy
- Bronchus Surgery
- Cancer Center
- Cardiovascular Surgery Section
- Chest Surgery
- Claggetts Window
- Complex Abdominal Hernia Repair
- Decortication
- Diaphragm Surgery
- Diverticulectomy
- Epigastric Hernia Repair
- Esophageal Dilation
- Esophageal Surgery
- Esophagectomy
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- Esophagus Endoscopy
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- GERD Surgery
- Heller Myotomy
- Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Surgery
- Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
- Lobectomy, VATS Lobectomy
- Lung Biopsy
- Lung Cancer Surgery
- Lung Lesion Surgery
- Lung Removal Surgery
- Lung Surgery
- Mediastinal Biopsy Surgery
- Mediastinal Masses Surgery
- Mediastinal Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgeries
- Nodulectomy
- Pericardial Window
- Pericardium Surgery
- Pleurectomy
- Pneumonectomy
- Removal of Part of Lung
- Reoperation Surgery
- Robotic Esophagectomy
- Robotic Surgery
- Robotic Thoracic Surgery
- Robotically Assisted Thymectomy
- Sleeve Lobectomy
- Stomach Surgery
- Surgical Biopsy of Thoracic Lymph Nodes
- Surgical Treatment of Lung Nodules
- Thoracentesis
- Thoracic Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery Department
- Thoracic Surgery Section
- Thoracoscopic Surgery
- Thymectomy
- Thymus Gland Surgery
- Tracheostomy
- Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
- Wedge Resection
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Abdominal Abscess
- Abdominal Hernia
- Angiosarcomas
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Cancer
- Collapsed Lung
- Collis Nissen/Nissen
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Epiphrenic Diverticulum
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Diseases
- Esophageal Perforation
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophagitis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
- Hiatal Hernia
- Hyperhidrosis
- Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
- Lung Abscess
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Nodules
- 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, Nashville, 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
2012
Residency - Brigham & Women's Hospital
General Surgery
Boston,
MA
2009
Graduate School - University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh,
PA
2004
Medical Education - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh,
PA
2000
Undergraduate - Muhlenberg College
Allentown,
PA
1996
Certifications
- Thoracic Surgery - Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
- Surgery - General 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 3/5/2024, 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.
225 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 | 4.7 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.8 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.8 |
34 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Jun 11, 2025
The dr was good and focused
Reviewed on Jun 9, 2025
Dr. Raja is really caring and down to earth. Offers good suggestions.
Reviewed on Apr 21, 2025
Dr. Raja is wonderful--intelligent, knowledgeable, personable, and empathetic.
Reviewed on Apr 15, 2025
My appointment was made by another provider very quickly. I had no personal interaction with making the appointment
Reviewed on Apr 9, 2025
Very wonderful and great Dr , nurses, all staff the best
Reviewed on Apr 9, 2025
Dr visit at the end had to wait awhile
Reviewed on Mar 31, 2025
Dr. Raja presented himself as a respectful, caring and knowledgeable surgeon. I felt very comfortable talking with him and he answered all my questions in a manner easily understood by a patient.
Reviewed on Mar 10, 2025
Dr. Raja is always friendly and courteous and so willing to share his knowledge and ideas for things to try for my brother's achalasia. We feel fortunate to have him as a surgeon.
Reviewed on Feb 26, 2025
An exceptional experience. Staffingfrom receptionist to physicianexcellent!
Reviewed on Feb 26, 2025
Nurses and physicians excellent in attention, conversation, and discussion. Dr. Raja, in particular, is off the charts!
Reviewed on Jan 8, 2025
Excellent quick scheduling. Dr Raja team communicated immediately to me after I left a vm. My visit was great, Dr Raja explained the rarity and surgery options. Which helped since not a well know disease.So happy I found him.online as one if the top 20 surgeons for type 3 spastic achalasia.
Reviewed on Dec 1, 2024
Dr. Raja & his doctors and staff saved my life, along with hope, prayers and GOD himself!
Reviewed on Nov 27, 2024
Very good in all of Dr Raja's team, very prompt in returning my concerns!!
Reviewed on Nov 27, 2024
Dr Raja was easy to talk to, even had a great personality, which is important to me. He answered all our questions with answers we could understand !!
Reviewed on Oct 31, 2024
Dr Raja is the best. The phone system and getting calls returned were not good.
Reviewed on Oct 14, 2024
I am beyond pleased and appreciative for the patient first experience. Thank you Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Raja and all those involved.
Reviewed on Oct 4, 2024
Dr. Raja explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and he answered all my questions and concerns.
Reviewed on Sep 30, 2024
Dr Silva is great and is very helpful
Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024
Very nice Surgon. Exellent staff. Resident Doctor very nice as well. Thank you. Pp
Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024
Dr. Raja treats me as part of the team making the decisions. He answers any questions completely and make sure I was able to understand what he was explaining.
Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024
We travel almost two hours to get to Cleveland Clinic and Dr Raja's office is great about trying to get things done in as few trips as possible.
Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024
Dr Raja takes his time with us and answers all of our questions.
Reviewed on Sep 16, 2024
Dr. Raja is intelligent, experienced and proactive. He has been providing palliative care for me, a patient with achalasia throughout the past two years. As before and during my most recent appointment I noted that he constantly strives to improve the quality of my life.
Reviewed on Sep 11, 2024
Dr Raja and his intern answered all questions in understandable terms
Reviewed on Sep 11, 2024
Dr. Raja is a great dr. Takes time to listen and explain things
Reviewed on Sep 11, 2024
Everyone was so nice and the doctor was very good at explaining what was going to happen
Reviewed on Sep 4, 2024
Dr Raja was So informative and helpful. Exceptionally, smart and could speak to all topics! Really appreciate having him as my new Dr.!
Reviewed on Aug 30, 2024
Dr. Siva Raja and all members of his team were so caring and kept you informed with all parts of my care and treatment.
Reviewed on Aug 27, 2024
I felt very reassured by Dr Raja
Reviewed on Aug 8, 2024
The sit down with Dr Raja and his associate were fantastic . You could not have a better scenario than what we have had . Dr Raja is so caring and made you feel so comfortable
Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024
Dr. Raja is a great doctor!
Reviewed on Jul 10, 2024
Dr Raja's confidence and kindness validated my decision to have the surgery. Dr Raja, his staff and medical team were amazing!
Reviewed on Jul 8, 2024
Dr. Raja was excellent about explaining my condition and surgery if needed.
Reviewed on Jul 8, 2024
I left Dr. Raja s office knowing I had been given good information and explanation regarding my type of cancer.