Dr. Lorraine D. Cornwell

Doctor Overview

Dr. Lorraine D. Cornwell leads the general thoracic surgery section at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas. In this role, she provides surgical care to veterans with complex chest diseases. She also teaches as an associate professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, where she works in the Cardiothoracic Surgery department.

Dr. Cornwell treats patients with thoracic cancers, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, esophageal cancer and mediastinal tumors. She uses minimally invasive techniques, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic-assisted procedures. Dr. Cornwell also has significant experience with cardiac surgery and has played a key role in MEDVAMC’s aortic valve replacement program.

Throughout her academic career, she has contributed to research in cardiothoracic and thoracic surgery. Dr. Cornwell's published work in peer-reviewed medical journals includes studies on surgical outcomes in veteran populations and minimally invasive surgical techniques. She has been recognized for excellence in patient care and professional achievement.

Doctor Fast Facts

Main Specialty: Cardiothoracic Surgery

Other Interests & Specialties: Cardiothoracic surgery, coronary bypass grafting surgery, esophageal cancer surgery, esophageal stents, heart valve surgery, laparoscopic esophageal surgery, lung cancer surgery, minimally invasive MAZE procedures, mitral valve repair, thoracic oncology, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, valve surgery and VATS lobectomy.

Certifications, Awards & Accolades: American Association for Thoracic Surgery Member, American Board of Surgery Certification, American Board of Thoracic Surgery Certification, American College of Surgeons Fellow, American Medical Association Member, American Women’s Medical Association Member, Association of Veterans Affairs Surgeons Member, Baylor College of Medicine STAR Faculty Award for Excellence in Patient Care, Baylor College of Medicine Women of Excellence Award, Houstonia Magazine Top Doctor in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Member, Women in Thoracic Surgery Member

Education & Experience:

• Medical Degree from University of North Carolina School of Medicine
• Residency in General Surgery at University of North Carolina Hospitals
• Fellowship in Thoracic Surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital
• Residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Publications

Unplanned readmissions, community socioeconomic factors, and their effects on long-term survival after complex thoracic aortic surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2025 Jan;169(1):26-35.e2.

Non-small cell lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy. Semin Oncol. 2022 Jun;49(3-4):337-43.

Diagnostic Laparoscopy Improves Staging of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma With Routine Positron Emission Tomography Imaging. Ann Thorac Surg. 2021 Nov;112(5):1568-74.