Thomas K. Varghese Jr.,
MD, MS
Languages Spoken: English, Malayalam
Dr. Thomas Varghese Jr. is the Associate Chief Medical Quality Officer and Chief Value Officer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Chief - Section of General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Utah. He is also Professor (Tenure Track) in the Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine.
Dr. Varghese's clinical interests are in Thoracic Surgical Oncology. A national leader in minimally invasive applications for general thoracic surgery, he is recognized by Castle Connolly as one of America’s “Top Docs”, and is ranked in the top 10% of the nation by Press Ganey for patient satisfaction scores. He was recruited to the University of Utah from the University of Washington in 2015, and has helped build a Thoracic Surgery Center of Excellence at the University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute that actively participates in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Database, American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Quality Improvement Program, and has received recognition as a national lung cancer surgery center of excellence by US News and World Report, and Vizient.
His research interests bridge the world of Educational Research and Health Services Research, specifically in the arena of optimizing performance at the patient, surgeon and system levels. He created the Strong for Surgery program while he was at the University of Washington, which is now a formal Quality Improvement program of the American College of Surgeons, and active at 331 clinical sites across the nation and 3 state surgical collaboratives ( https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/strong-for-surgery ). He has a track record of peer-reviewed publications and extramural funding, including current RO1 funding from the National Cancer Institute with Co-PIs Dr. Neli Ulrich (Dept. of Population Sciences) and Dr. Paul LaStayo (Dept. of Physical Therapy) for a pragmatic randomized clinical trial examining the effects of a unique Prescription Exercise Prescription (PEP) for lung cancer surgical patients utlizing an integrated Physical Therapy Clinic model (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30559162 )
Dr. Varghese holds national leadership positions in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Thoracic Surgery Directors Association, American College of Surgeons, and the Society of University Surgeons. He was elected to the inaugural class of the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators in 2018, and was the first Chair of the Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network (ThORN), a collaborative that spans 29 institutions across the nation [http://thoracicoutcomes.org/]. Dr. Varghese is active on social media, blue check-marked on Twitter (@tomvarghesejr ) and is the Deputy Editor of Digital Media and Digital Scholarship for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
At the University of Utah, Dr. Varghese is a member of an active collaborative of Chief Value Officers, Education Leaders and Health Services Researchers that embraces the Triple Aim (outstanding patient-centered care, improving the health of the population we serve, reducing the cost of care) with the goal of maintaining the University of Utah at the highest level of patient care in the country.
Clinical Locations
801-587-4470
Fax: (801) 585-7902
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor Community Physician Group - Affiliated Physician |
| Academic Divisions | Cardiothoracic Surgery Physicians |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery American Board of Thoracic Surgery |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.9/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.9/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.9/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.8/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.9/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
March 07, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Varghese's explanations were very clear. He listened carefully to my questions and gave me very clear answers. I liked his style.
UofU Patient
February 20, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Vargese was informative as to the next steps in my remediation.
UofU Patient
December 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
All wonderful. Couldn't ask for a smarter, more kind team.
UofU Patient
December 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very kind personal
UofU Patient
November 23, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Love Clinic 1A
UofU Patient
November 19, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
He is the best one to go to
UofU Patient
October 31, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Excellent explanations of plan for my cancer treatment.
UofU Patient
October 01, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Excellent care and experience
UofU Patient
August 29, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Excellent on everything
UofU Patient
August 08, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I love the Doctor he was always on top of my minds and always cared how I felt about what was going on
UofU Patient
August 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I was treated very well by all and I mean all the staff so thankyou folks.
UofU Patient
July 21, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
July 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Varghese was running late. He was somewhat impersonal and rude this time.
UofU Patient
July 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
All excellent.
UofU Patient
June 18, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
My doctor took more time to show me images of my scans, explaining what I was looking at, why surgery was important, what the surgery entailed, and what I should expect than I thought was possible in this time of insurance-induced speed appointments. I left the appointment feeling sure that I made the right choice and was at the right facility. I've never had a doctor stop his explanation to give me time to take a picture of the white board he was using to explain aspects of my care!
UofU Patient
May 30, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
The entire staff was concerned
UofU Patient
May 28, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I am an employee at HCH and recently I had to become a patient. I met with Dr. Varghese while inpatient and he was so nice, I feel like he really cares about me and my condition. Dr. Varghese is the kindest man I ever had the opportunity to know and the care he provided has been amazing. That care is a reflection of his PA's and RN as they are an amazing part of his team. I'm so proud to work at Huntsman and even prouder to say that I am a patient who has an amazing team doing AMAZING things not only for me but for others as well.
UofU Patient
March 22, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Doctor and all Assistants were awesome
UofU Patient
March 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Varghese was outstanding. He explained my medical issues clearly, asked questions, listened to my answers and gave me goals to work on before surgery.
UofU Patient
February 10, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
ALL was awesome I left my appointment feeling like these people care about me and my condition and are willing to help me get better, gave me time to decide in my care and was great to call me and see if I made a decision, then was able to get things ready for me, in preparing for my surgery
UofU Patient
February 04, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I was seen by both the physician and a PA. The PA was condescending and acted like a doctor want to be. My wife and I are both nurses and his tone and demeanor left much to be desired. Dr Varghese and his nurse were wonderful. the Dr. explained everything, had a sense of humor and was very reassuring.
UofU Patient
December 18, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
all good
UofU Patient
December 17, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
My doctor and his team are the best!
UofU Patient
November 03, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Excellent experience
UofU Patient
November 03, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I tell everyone how great it is at Huntsman
UofU Patient
October 17, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
good
UofU Patient
September 21, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Basically turning my care over to my local doctors.
UofU Patient
September 13, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
good experience
UofU Patient
August 25, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
We are just starting this. This was more exploratory than treatment.
UofU Patient
July 25, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
dr. Varghese reviewed my history. Discussed the findings of my CAT scan with supportive and detailed conversation along with CAT scan. He shares his knowledge, compassion and professionalism.
UofU Patient
July 06, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I would not hesitate to recomend HCI to anyone. the medical team is excellent.
UofU Patient
July 04, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good
Dr. Thomas Varghese Jr. is the Associate Chief Medical Quality Officer and Chief Value Officer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and Chief - Section of General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Utah. He is also Professor (Tenure Track) in the Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine.
Dr. Varghese's clinical interests are in Thoracic Surgical Oncology. A national leader in minimally invasive applications for general thoracic surgery, he is recognized by Castle Connolly as one of America’s “Top Docs”, and is ranked in the top 10% of the nation by Press Ganey for patient satisfaction scores. He was recruited to the University of Utah from the University of Washington in 2015, and has helped build a Thoracic Surgery Center of Excellence at the University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute that actively participates in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Database, American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgical Quality Improvement Program, and has received recognition as a national lung cancer surgery center of excellence by US News and World Report, and Vizient.
His research interests bridge the world of Educational Research and Health Services Research, specifically in the arena of optimizing performance at the patient, surgeon and system levels. He created the Strong for Surgery program while he was at the University of Washington, which is now a formal Quality Improvement program of the American College of Surgeons, and active at 331 clinical sites across the nation and 3 state surgical collaboratives ( https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/strong-for-surgery ). He has a track record of peer-reviewed publications and extramural funding, including current RO1 funding from the National Cancer Institute with Co-PIs Dr. Neli Ulrich (Dept. of Population Sciences) and Dr. Paul LaStayo (Dept. of Physical Therapy) for a pragmatic randomized clinical trial examining the effects of a unique Prescription Exercise Prescription (PEP) for lung cancer surgical patients utlizing an integrated Physical Therapy Clinic model (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30559162 )
Dr. Varghese holds national leadership positions in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Thoracic Surgery Directors Association, American College of Surgeons, and the Society of University Surgeons. He was elected to the inaugural class of the ACS Academy of Master Surgeon Educators in 2018, and was the first Chair of the Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network (ThORN), a collaborative that spans 29 institutions across the nation [http://thoracicoutcomes.org/]. Dr. Varghese is active on social media, blue check-marked on Twitter (@tomvarghesejr ) and is the Deputy Editor of Digital Media and Digital Scholarship for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
At the University of Utah, Dr. Varghese is a member of an active collaborative of Chief Value Officers, Education Leaders and Health Services Researchers that embraces the Triple Aim (outstanding patient-centered care, improving the health of the population we serve, reducing the cost of care) with the goal of maintaining the University of Utah at the highest level of patient care in the country.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor Community Physician Group - Affiliated Physician |
| Academic Divisions | Cardiothoracic Surgery Physicians |
| Board Certification | American Board of Surgery American Board of Thoracic Surgery |
Research Interests
- Methods to Promote the Uptake of Research Findings into Healthcare (Implementation Science)
- Interprofessional Education
- Health Services Research Including Use of Population-Based Data, Cost & Utility Analyses, and Patient-Derived Outcomes
Education History
| Graduate Training | University of Utah Business Executive M.B.A., 2022 |
| Chief Resident | University of Michigan Cardiothoracic Surgery Administrative Chief Resident, 2007 |
| Fellowship | University of Michigan Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellow, 2007 |
| Chief Resident | Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine General Surgery Chief Resident, 2005 |
| Residency | Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine General Surgery Resident, 2004 |
| Graduate Training | Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Clinical Investigation M.S., 2003 |
| Research Fellow | Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Organ Transplantation Research Fellow, 2003 |
| Residency | Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine General Surgery Residency Resident, 2001 |
| Internship/Residency | Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram Rotating Resident Internship Intern/Resident, 1996 |
| Professional Medical | Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram/University of Kerala Medicine M.D., 1995 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Morris BB, Wages NA, Grant PA, Stukenberg PT, Gentzler RD, Hall RD, Akerley WL, Varghese TK, Arnold SM, Williams TM, Coppola V, Jones DR, Auble DT, Mayo MW (2021). MYBL2-Driven Transcriptional Programs Link Replication Stress and Error-prone DNA Repair With Genomic Instability in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol, 10, 585551.
- Luc JGY, Archer MA, Arora RC, Bender EM, Blitz A, Cooke DT, Hlci TN, Kidane B, Ouzounian M, Varghese TK Jr, Antonoff MB (2020). Does Tweeting Improve Citations? One-Year Results From the TSSMN Prospective Randomized Trial. Ann Thorac Surg, 111(1), 296-300.
- Antonoff MB, Mitzman B, Backhus L, Bradbury ST, Chatterjee S, Cooke DT, Crestanello J, Goldstone AB, Kim KM, Nguyen TC, Romano JC, Vaporciyan AA, Varghese TK Jr (2020). The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Virtual Conference Taskforce: Recommendations for Hosting a Virtual Surgical Meeting. Ann Thorac Surg, 111(1), 16-23.
- Stokes SM, Massarweh NN, Stringham JR, Varghese TK Jr (2020). Impact of Multimodality Treatment Sequence on Survival in Stage IIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Ann Thorac Surg.
- Himbert C, Klossner N, Coletta AM, Barnes CA, Wiskemann J, LaStayo PC, Varghese TK Jr, Ulrich CM (2020). Exercise and lung cancer surgery: A systematic review of randomized-controlled trials. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 156, 103086.
- Hu QL, Dworsky JQ, Beck AC, Gilbert EW, Pockaj BA, Varghese TK Jr, Maggard-Gibbons M, Ko CY, Weigel RJ, Laronga C (2020). Perioperative Pain Management after Ambulatory Abdominal Surgery: An American College of Surgeons Systematic Review. J Am Coll Surg, 231(5), 572-601.e27.
- Pannucci CJ, Fleming KI, Varghese TK Jr, Stringham J, Huang LC, Pickron TB, Prazak AM, Bertolaccini C, Momeni A (2020). Low anti-Factor Xa level predicts 90-day Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism in Surgical Patients Receiving Enoxaparin Prophylaxis: A Pooled Analysis of Eight Clinical Trials. Ann Surg.
- Stokes SM, Scaife CL, Brooke BS, Glasgow RE, Mulvihill SJ, Finlayson SRG, Varghese TK Jr (2020). Hospital Costs Following Surgical Complications: A Value-driven Outcomes Analysis of Cost Savings Due to Complication Prevention. Ann Surg, 275, e375-e381.
- Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network Inc, Antonoff M, Backhus L, Boffa DJ, Broderick SR, Brown LM, Carrott P, Clark JM, Cooke D, David E, Facktor M, Farjah F, Grogan E, Isbell J, Jones DR, Kidane B, Kim AW, Keshavjee S, Krantz S, Lui N, Martin L, Meguid RA, Meyerson SL, Mullett T, Nelson H, Odell DD, Phillips JD, Puri V, Rusch V, Shulman L, Varghese TK, Wakeam E, Wood DE (2020). COVID-19 Guidance for Triage of Operations for Thoracic Malignancies: A Consensus Statement From Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network. Ann Thorac Surg, 110(2), 692-696.
- Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network Inc, Antonoff M, Backhus L, Boffa DJ, Broderick SR, Brown LM, Carrott P, Clark JM, Cooke D, David E, Facktor M, Farjah F, Grogan E, Isbell J, Jones DR, Kidane B, Kim AW, Keshavjee S, Krantz S, Lui N, Martin L, Meguid RA, Meyerson SL, Mullett T, Nelson H, Odell DD, Phillips JD, Puri V, Rusch V, Shulman L, Varghese TK, Wakeam E, Wood DE (2020). COVID-19 guidance for triage of operations for thoracic malignancies: A consensus statement from Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 160(2), 601-605.
- Daodu O, Panda N, Lopushinsky S, Varghese TK Jr, Brindle M (2020). COVID-19 - Considerations and Implications for Surgical Learners. Ann Surg, 272(1), e22-e23.
- Pannucci CJ, Fleming KI, Bertolaccini C, Moulton L, Stringham J, Barnett S, Lin J, Varghese TK Jr (2020). Fixed or Weight-Tiered Enoxaparin After Thoracic Surgery for Venous Thromboembolism Prevention. Ann Thorac Surg, 109(6), 1713-1721.
- Wakeam E, Adibfar A, Stokes S, Leighl NB, Giuliani ME, Varghese TK Jr, Darling GE (2019). Defining the role of adjuvant therapy for early-stage large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 159(5), 2043-2054.e9.
- Barnes CA, Stout NL, Varghese TK Jr, Ulrich CM, Couriel DR, Lee CJ, Noren CS, LaStayo PC (2019). Clinically Integrated Physical Therapist Practice in Cancer Care: A New Comprehensive Approach. Phys Ther, 100(3), 543-553.
- Luc JGY, Archer MA, Arora RC, Bender EM, Blitz A, Cooke DT, Hlci TN, Kidane B, Ouzounian M, Varghese TK Jr, Antonoff MB (2019). Social Media Improves Cardiothoracic Surgery Literature Dissemination: Results of a Randomized Trial. Ann Thorac Surg, 109(2), 589-595.
- Cook GW, Benton MG, Akerley W, Mayhew GF, Moehlenkamp C, Raterman D, Burgess DL, Rowell WJ, Lambert C, Eng K, Gu J, Baybayan P, Fussell JT, Herbold HD, OShea JM, Varghese TK, Emerson LL (2020). Structural variation and its potential impact on genome instability: Novel discoveries in the EGFR landscape by long-read sequencing. PLoS One, 15(1), e0226340.
- Stokes SM, Kim RY, Jacobs A, Esplin J, Kwok AC, Varghese TK Jr, Glasgow RE, Brooke BS, Finlayson SRG, Huang LC (2019). Home Disposal Kits for Leftover Opioid Medications After Surgery: Do They Work? J Surg Res, 245, 396-402.
- Luc JGY, Ouzounian M, Bender EM, Blitz A, Stamp NL, Varghese TK Jr, Cooke DT, Antonoff MB (2019). The Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network: Early Experience and Lessons Learned. Ann Thorac Surg, 108(4), 1248-1255.
- Luc JGY, Ouzounian M, Bender EM, Blitz A, Stamp NL, Varghese TK Jr, Cooke DT, Antonoff MB (2019). The Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network: Early experience and lessons learned. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 158(4), 1127-1136.
- Stokes SM, Massarweh NN, Stringham JR, Varghese TK Jr (2019). Clinical-Pathologic Correlation and Guideline Concordance in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Ann Thorac Surg, 108(3), 837-844.
- DeBoard ZM, Varghese TK Jr, Doty JR, Selzman CH (2019). Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Training in Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. J Atr Fibrillation, 12(1), 2195.
- Stokes SM, Wakeam E, Antonoff MB, Backhus LM, Meguid RA, Odell D, Varghese TK Jr (2019). Optimizing health before elective thoracic surgery: systematic review of modifiable risk factors and opportunities for health services research. J Thorac Dis, 11(Suppl 4), S537-S554.
- Handy JR, Bremner RM, Crocenzi TS, Detterbeck FC, Fernando HC, Fidias PM, Firestone S, Johnstone CA, Lanuti M, Litle VR, Kesler KA, Mitchell JD, Pass HI, Ross HJ, Varghese TK (2018). Expert Consensus Document on Pulmonary Metastasectomy. Ann Thorac Surg, 107(2), 631-649.
- Ulrich CM, Himbert C, Boucher K, Wetter DW, Hess R, Kim J, Lundberg K, Ligibel JA, Barnes CA, Rushton B, Marcus R, Finlayson SRG, LaStayo PC, Varghese TK (2018). Precision-Exercise-Prescription in patients with lung cancer undergoing surgery: rationale and design of the PEP study trial. BMJ Open, 8(12), e024672.
- Stokes SM, Wakeam E, Swords DS, Stringham JR, Varghese TK Jr (2018). Impact of insurance status on receipt of definitive surgical therapy and posttreatment outcomes in early stage lung cancer. Surgery, 164(6), 1287-1293.
- Glotzbach JP, Sharma V, Tonna JE, Pettit JC, McKellar SH, Eckhauser AW, Varghese TK Jr, Selzman CH (2018). Value-driven cardiac surgery: Achieving "perfect care" after coronary artery bypass grafting. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 156(4), 1436-1448.e2.
- Varghese TK Jr, Ghaferi AA (2017). Cutting-edge Efforts in Surgical Patient Safety. JAMA Surg, 152(8), 719-720.
- Farjah F, Backhus L, Cheng A, Englum B, Kim S, Saha-Chaudhuri P, Wood DE, Mulligan MS, Varghese TK (2015). Failure to rescue and pulmonary resection for lung cancer. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 149(5), 1365-71; discussion 1371-3.e3.
- Farjah F, Backhus LM, Varghese TK, Manning JP, Cheng AM, Mulligan MS, Wood DE (2014). External validation of a prediction model for pathologic N2 among patients with a negative mediastinum by positron emission tomography. J Thorac Dis, 7(4), 576-84.
- Varghese TK Jr, Hofstetter WL, Rizk NP, Low DE, Darling GE, Watson TJ, Mitchell JD, Krasna MJ (2013). The society of thoracic surgeons guidelines on the diagnosis and staging of patients with esophageal cancer. Ann Thorac Surg, 96(1), 346-56.
Editorial
- Luc JGY, Archer MA, Arora RC, Bender EM, Blitz A, Cooke DT, Elde S, Guy TS, Halpern AL, Harrington C, Hlci TN, Kidane B, Olive JK, Ouzounian M, Stamp N, Vervoort D, Varghese TK Jr, Antonoff MB (2020). The Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network Experience During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ann Thorac Surg, 110(4), 1103-1107.
- Varghese TK Jr, Entwistle JW 3rd, Mayer JE, Moffatt-Bruce SD, Sade RM, Cardiothoracic Ethics Forum (2019). Ethical standards for cardiothoracic surgeons' participation in social media. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 158(4), 1139-1143.
- Varghese TK Jr, Entwistle JW 3rd, Mayer JE, Moffatt-Bruce SD, Sade RM, Cardiothoracic Ethics Forum (2019). Ethical Standards for Cardiothoracic Surgeons' Participation in Social Media. Ann Thorac Surg, 108(3), 666-670.
Letter
Global Impact
Education History
| Internship/Residency | Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram Rotating Resident Internship Intern/Resident |
| Professional Medical | Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram/University of Kerala Medicine M.D. |