Siva Raja, MD, PhD
Primary Location
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- Appointment:
- 216.445.6860
- Desk:
- 216.444.4063
- Fax:
- 216.636.6996
Treatment & Services
- Bronchial Biopsy
- Bronchoscopy
- Bronchus Surgery
- Cancer Center
- Chest Surgery
- Claggetts Window
- Diaphragm Surgery
- Epigastric Hernia Repair
- Esophageal Surgery
- Esophagectomy
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
- Esophagus Endoscopy
- First Rib Resection
- GERD Surgery
- Heller Myotomy
- Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery
- Lobectomy, VATS Lobectomy
- Lung Lesion Surgery
- Lung Surgery
- Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
- Mediastinum Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgeries
- Nodulectomy
- Pericardial Window
- Pleurectomy
- Pneumonectomy
- Robotically Assisted Thoracic Surgery
- Robotically Assisted Thymectomy
- Thoracentesis
- Thoracic Surgery Department
- Thoracoscopic Surgery
- Thymus Gland Surgery
- Tracheal Resection
- Tracheostomy
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Achalasia
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Cancer
- Collapsed Lung
- Collis Nissen/Nissen
- Diaphragm Hernia
- Epiphrenic Diverticulum
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Perforation
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophagus Disease
- Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
- Hiatal Hernia
- Hyperhidrosis
- Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
- Lung Abscess
- Lung Cancer
- Malignant Mesothelioma
- Mediastinal Tumor
- Mesothelioma
- Pectus Excavatum
- Pericardial Effusion
- Pleural Effusion
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary Nodules
- Rare Cancer and Blood Disease Program
- Stomach Cancer
- Swallowing Disorders
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Thymoma
- Windpipe Injury
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 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, POEM surgery, general thoracic surgery
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 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
- Thoracic Surgery
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 5/18/2018, 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.
220 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 | |
| Knows Medical History | 4.7 | |
| Time Spent with Patient | 4.7 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.9 |
13 Patient Comments
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Reviewed on Sep 18, 2019
explained everything clearly. kind. caring. both Dr. Raj & his resident
Reviewed on Jul 12, 2019
I was so pleased to have *Dr. Raja as my surgeon.
Reviewed on Apr 24, 2019
The doctor told me he would talk with me after I awoke from the sedative and tell me and my wife the outcome, answer any questions, etc. When I reminded him that a routine part of my endoscopy was the administration of an amnesiac at its completion, he did not see a problem with this. The care I received was excellent, but I would like to have had a conversation with the doctor myself instead of having to rely on my wife's memory of the conversation. Even though a post-procedure appointment was scheduled in the doctor's office a couple of hours later, only the nurse (nurse practitioner?) was present to explain the outcome to me, answer questions and discharge me I was able to remember this meeting well. But I would like to suggest that the doctor himself show up at this meeting, since I have no recollection at all of the meeting he held immediately post-procedure with me and my wife. This is me suggestion for a best practice.
Reviewed on Apr 20, 2019
No questions or concerns want unanswered dr. not addressed. A relaxed family enhances recovery.
Reviewed on Apr 17, 2019
Dr. Raja, and the Resident Physician, Dr. Tang, listened to my concerns and explained treatment options thoroughly.
Reviewed on Apr 10, 2019
dr raja is the best in my opinion. so friendly, knowledgeable and concerned.
Reviewed on Apr 1, 2019
I feel the resident/fellow not only listened but heard what I was saying. it may just be his personality but that characteristic will make him a great doctor. he reminded me of my nephew who just started his own family practice.
Reviewed on Mar 13, 2019
very professional, caring doctor and staff!!!
Reviewed on Feb 20, 2019
Since we were coming from Athens, Ohio I really appreciated that the administrative assistant was able to schedule the labs and Dr. Raja's appointment all on the same day and early afternoon.
Reviewed on Feb 18, 2019
dr. Raja gave very thorough description of proposed surgery and answered all my questions. he seemed very interested in my well-being and follow up.
Reviewed on Jan 23, 2019
spent as much time with me as I needed. Was very impressed with this Dr.
Reviewed on Jan 21, 2019
both Dr Raja and the MD intern explained everything in layman's terms so that I clearly understood.
Reviewed on Nov 14, 2018
Physician was VERY informative to family.