UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Welcomes Thoracic Surgeon Lana Schumacher, MD

UPMC is proud to announce the addition of Lana Schumacher, MD, to our team of thoracic surgery experts.

After receiving her medical degree from the UCLA School of Medicine, Dr. Schumacher completed a residency in general surgery at Stanford University Hospital. During her surgical residency, Dr. Schumacher performed two years of dedicated surgical oncology research at the UCLA Department of Surgery. Following her residency, Dr. Schumacher completed a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Dr. Schumacher is board-certified in general and thoracic surgery. She specializes in minimally invasive robotic surgery for lung and esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, and benign esophageal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux and paraoesophageal hernias.

Dr. Schumacher is a recognized leader in thoracic surgery, combining clinical expertise, research, and educational leadership to advance the field and mentor the next generation of surgeons. As one of a relatively small number of women in thoracic surgical leadership, she serves as a role model for medical students, residents, and early-career surgeons. She is nationally recognized for her work as an educator, mentor, and innovator, teaching at leading academic institutions and serving in numerous professional leadership roles throughout her career.

A national and international pioneer in robotic thoracic surgery, Dr. Schumacher has helped expand access to innovative minimally invasive treatments for patients with thoracic diseases. Her ongoing research focuses on improving surgical safety and effectiveness with machine learning and surgical intelligence, with the goal of achieving better outcomes and enhancing patient care.

Dr. Schumacher will be seeing patients at UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Presbyterian.

About the UPMC Department of Thoracic Surgery

UPMC provides comprehensive, high-volume, and highly specialized care for benign and malignant conditions of the chest and upper gastrointestinal tract. With an advanced team of surgical experts, we continue to expand minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques, multidisciplinary patient care programs, and our commitment to improving long-term thoracic outcomes.

Our program recently received top ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for both resection for primary lung cancer and esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

According to STS public reporting, the UPMC Department of Thoracic Surgery received an “as expected” rating during the reporting period from July 2022 to June 2025. This rating reflects performance consistent with excellent outcomes for those procedures.

To refer a patient for consultation, please call 412-647-8762.