Leah Monique Backhus, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Backhus is an assistant professor of surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the VA Puget Sound.  She trained in General Surgery at the University of Southern California and Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of California Los Angeles.  Her practice consists of general thoracic surgery with special emphasis on thoracic oncology and minimally invasive surgery.  She is a member of the American Board of Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.


Patient Care Philosophy
"I believe that all patients should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. My goal is to apply state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques in my care of patients with diseases of the chest."

Personal Interests
Sports, family, skiing and reading.

Clinical Interests
Thoracic oncology, including lung, esophageal and chest wall malignancies; lung transplantation; benign diseases of the chest; and minimally-invasive thoracic surgery.

Languages
English

Expertise
Cancer Care (lung), Surgery