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Linda Martin, MD

As a thoracic surgeon, I am NEVER bored. Whether I am sorting through a difficult diagnosis or treatment decision with a patient and their family in the clinic, teaching my residents or students in the operating room, thinking through how to optimize surgical quality and efficiency, digesting the latest trial results or pondering new research ideas – my mind is constantly stimulated. I love connecting with my patients and easing their stress in a difficult time; this part of my work feeds my soul. One of the things I most enjoy is collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines, honing our collective skills to deliver optimal patient care. Last but not least, I treasure the friendships with my “surgical sisters,” most of whom are WTS members, that have developed over many years of training, and different phases of my career.

Dr. Linda Martin is Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. She then completed general surgery residency at the University of Minnesota and University of California, San Francisco and thoracic surgery fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she also obtained her Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Texas, Houston. In her practice, she focuses on thoracic malignancies but also has extensive experience with benign lung and esophageal disease. She has a particular interest in robotic surgery and received the Carolyn E. Reed Traveling Fellowship to support her training. She is also involved in clinical trials, including the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.

As highlighted in her nomination by one of Dr. Martin’s patients:

“I was diagnosed with gastric cancer in May of 2022. I had previously had an esophagectomy in 2008. I was referred to Dr. Martin as someone who could handle this difficult surgery. She immediately jumped in to action and had me transferred to UVA, where she assembled a team of extraordinary caregivers. She performed my first surgery in September and the reconstruction surgery in February 2023. Both surgeries were successful. What impressed me the most about Dr. Martin is how she researched and spoke with other industry experts to confidently have a surgical plan in place which she executed flawlessly. She truly saved my life! She has such a caring heart, exhibits great confidence without being arrogant, and is an ultra-talented surgeon.”

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