Daniel Sangwon Oh, M.D., F.A.C.S

(877) 541-4673
Daniel Sangwon Oh, M.D., F.A.C.S
Thoracic Surgeon
Clinical Expertise

  • Thoracic/Lung

  • Robotics/Minimally Invasive

  • Esophagus

  • Mediastinum

  • Pleura

  • Trachea and bronchi

  • Benign disease

  • Cancer

Academic Appointments

Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery

Clinical Teams
Esophageal Cancer
Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma
Thymoma and Thymic Carcinoma

Dr. Oh specializes in general thoracic surgery, at City of Hope® St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California, including a focus on benign and malignant diseases of the lung, pleura, esophagus, mediastinum and chest wall. He has an interest in applying and expanding the role of minimally invasive and robotic technology in the diagnosis and treatment of the conditions afflicting his patients. Recognizing the limitations of standard laparoscopic surgery and thoracoscopic surgery or VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery), he has been utilizing robotic technology with the da Vinci® system to perform surgery when appropriate. This technique allows for operations to be performed through small incisions with less tissue trauma, less pain and shorter recovery. Approximately 90% of Dr. Oh’s major operations are performed with robotic assistance, and he has performed hundreds of such cases since 2011.

Dr. Oh is a firm believer in multidisciplinary care. He takes a direct and proactive approach in working with his colleagues in gastroenterology, pulmonology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology. Through a team-based approach and tailoring treatment to the patient’s specific situation, he strives to deliver state-of-the-art care to achieve optimal outcomes.

Dr. Oh obtained his surgical training at two internationally recognized institutions in esophageal and lung surgery – USC and Harvard Medical School (Brigham and Women’s Hospital). He has gained extensive experience in the wide spectrum of thoracic surgery, including minimally invasive lung resection and esophageal surgery. Unique among thoracic surgeons, Dr. Oh also actively performs advanced endoscopic and bronchoscopic procedures as he believes a disease-specific approach is better than a technology-specific approach.  

Dr. Oh is active in research and spends his non-clinical time working with Intuitive Surgical in researching outcomes of robotic-assisted surgery, improving training technology for surgeons and helping assess and develop new technologies and procedures that can improve outcomes. His work has been published in numerous professional journals, and he gives lectures internationally.

 

Affiliate Location

City of Hope at St. Jude Medical Center
St. Jude Center for Thoracic and Esophageal Diseases
2151 North Harbor Boulevard, Suite 3100
Fullerton, CA 92835

Location

Education & Experience

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
  • American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery

Residency

  • 2008-2010, Resident in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • 2007-2008, Administrative Chief Resident, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2006-2007, Resident in General Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2002-2004, Resident in General Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Fellowship:

  • 2005-2006, Research Fellow, Response Genetics Inc., Los Angeles, CA
  • 2004-2005, Research Fellow, Thoracic Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Internship

  • 2001-2002, Intern in General Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Education

  • 2001, Doctor of Medicine (Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society), Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
  • 1996, English B.A. with High Honors, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

Professional Experience

  • 2025-Present, Associate Professor of Surgery, City of Hope Orange County, Irvine, CA
  • 2017-Present, VP and Senior Medical Officer, Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA
  • 2014-Present, Medical Director, St. Jude Medical Center, Fullerton, CA
  • 2010-2025, Associate Professor of Thoracic Surgery, University of Southern California, USC-St. Jude Center for Thoracic and Esophageal Diseases, Los Angeles, CA

Awards & Memberships

Awards

  • 2017-2024, Top Doctors Selection, Castle Connolly
  • 2014-2024, SuperDoctors Selection, Los Angeles Magazine, LA Times
  • 2014-2024, Top Doctors Selection, Pasadena Magazine
  • 2023, Top 3 Publications of 2023, Editor's Choice, Innovations journal
  • 2023, Best in Show, American College of Surgeons Surgical Simulation Summit, Chicago, IL
  • 2013, SuperDoctors Rising Stars, Los Angeles Magazine

Memberships

  • European Society of Thoracic Surgery (ESTS)
  • American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS)
  • American College of Surgeons (ACS)
  • Western Thoracic Surgery Association (WTSA)
  • General Thoracic Surgery Club (GTSC)
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)

Publications

  • Brian R, Murillo A, Oh DS, Chern H, O’Sullivan PS. Comparing Observed and Preferred Instruction in Robotic Surgery. Surgery 2024;176:1072-78.
  • Brian R, Murillo A, Gomes C, Chern H, Oh DS, O’Sullivan PS. Consensus guidelines on the bedside assistant skills required in robotic surgery. Surgical Endoscopy 2024;38:6406-12.
  • Oh DS, Brown K, Yousaf S, Nesbitt J, Feins R, Sancheti M, Lin J, Yang S, D’Souza D, Jarc A. Differences Between Attending and Trainee Surgeon Performance Using Objective Performance Indicators During Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy. Innovations 2023;18(5):479-88. doi: 10.1177/15569845231204607.
  • Wong LY*, Li Y, Elliott IA, Backhus LM, Berry MF, Shrager JB, Oh DS. Randomized Controlled Trials in Lung Cancer: How Are We Doing?” Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Open 2024. In Press.
  • Metchik A*, Bhattacharyya KD, Yousaf S, Jarc A, Oh DS, Lazar JF. A Novel Approach to Quantifying Surgical Workflow in Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy. International J Robotics 2023 Jul 19:e25446 On line ahead of print. doi: 10.1002/rcs.2546
  • Oh DS, Langroodi ME, Wee JO, Sancheti M, D’Souza D, Herrera L, Schumacher-Beal L, Shields M, Brown K, Lazar J. Comparison of GEARS with Objective Performance Indicators for Assessment of Skill During Robotic-Assisted Surgery. Surgery 2023;174:1349-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2023.08.008.
  • Oh DS, Brown KC, Yousaf S, Nesbitt J, Feins RH, Sancheti MS, Lin J, Yang S, D’Souza D, Jarc A. Novel Objective Performance Indicators Comparing Attending Surgeons and Trainees During Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy on a Perfused Ex Vivo Model: A Pilot Study. Innovations 2023;18(5). Published on line ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1177/15569845231204607
  • Wong LY*, Oh DS. Scoping Review on Long Term Oncologic Outcomes in Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy. Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery 2023. https://dx.doi.org/10.21037/vat
  • Lin PL, Zheng F, Shin M, Liu X, Oh DS, D’Attilio D. CUSUM Learning Curves: What They Can and Can’t Tell Us. Surgical Endoscopy 2023;37:7991-99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-023-10252-1.
  • Lazar JF, Jarc A, Oh DS. Task-Based Objective Performance Indicators in Robotic Lobectomy Offer a Novel Avenue for Case Assessments. JAMA Surgery 2023;158:1103-4. PMID 37436757.
  • Brian R*, Oh DS, Ifuku KA, Sarin A, O’Sullivan P, Chern H. Experience Matters for Robotic Assistance: An Analysis of Case Data. J Robotic Surgery 2023;17:2421-26. doi: 10.1007/s11701-023-01677-w. PMID 37450105.
  • Oh DS. Innovations in Robotic Surgery and Recent Developments in the SP Platform. Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2023;12:126-7.PMID 37035642.
  • Lazar JF, Metchik A, Yousaf S, Jarc A, Brown K, Hendersion H, Feins RH, Sancheti MS, Lin J, Yang S, Nesbitt J, D’Souza D, Oh DS. Objective Performance Indicators are Associated with Bleeding Events During Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy by Cardiothoracic Surgery Residents. J Robotic Surgery 2023 April;17(2)669-76. PMID: 36306102
  • Shah PC, de Groot A, Cerfolio R, Huang WC, Huang K, Song C, Li Y, Kreaden U, Oh DS. Impact of Minimally Invasive Approach on Open Conversions Across Ten Common Procedures in Different Specialties. Surgical Endoscopy 2022;36:6067-75. PMID 35141775.
  • Kent MS, Hartwig MG, Vallieres E, Abbas AE, Cerfolio RJ, Dylewski MR, Fabian T, Herrera LJ, Jett KG, Lazzaro RS, Meyers B, Mitzman BA, Reddy RM, Reed MF, Rice DC, Ross P, Sarkaria IS, Schumacher LY, Tisol WB, Wigle DA, Zervos M. Pulmonary Open, Robotic, an Thoracoscopic Lobectomy (PORTaL) Study: An Analysis of 5,721 Cases. Annals of Surgery 2021 On Line Ahead of Print. PMID 345534988.
  • Zervos M, Song A, Li Y, Lee SH, Oh DS. Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Using Robotic vs. Hand-Held Staplers during Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy. Innovations 2021;16:470-76. PMID 34488486.
  • Jarocki A*, Rice D, Kent M, Oh DS, Lin J, Reddy RM. Validity of robotic simulation for high-stakes examination: a pilot study. J Robotic Surgery 2022;16:409-13. PMID 34053018.
  • Sharghi A, Haugerud H, Oh DS, Mohareri O. “Automatic Operating Room Surgical Activity Recognition for Robotic-Assisted Surgery.” ePrint arXiv.2006.16166 Published June 2020. International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI). ADS Bibliography Code 2020arXiv200616166S.
  • Schwameis K*, Oh DS, Green KM, Lin B, Zehetner J, Lipham JC, Hagen JA, DeMeester SR. Clinical Outcome After Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication in Patients with GERD and PPI Refractory Heartburn. Dis Esophagus 2020;33:doz099. PMID 31942976.
  • Boys JA*, Azadgoli B*, Martinez M*, Oh DS, Hagen JA, DeMeester SR. Adequacy of EGD Reporting: a Review of 100 Reports from 100 Endoscopists. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2021;25:1117-23. PMID 32607854.