Nationally Recognized Thoracic Oncology Surgeon Brings Innovation to Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Institute

Dr. Jonathan Daniel has joined Dr. K. Eric Sommers as part of the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute’s comprehensive team to provide groundbreaking lung cancer treatments to patients across the Tampa Bay region and beyond.

Tampa, Fla. (Nov. 12, 2024) — A highly experienced academic thoracic surgeon has joined Tampa General Hospital (TGH) as part of its Center for Lung Cancer within the TGH Cancer Institute. Dr. Jonathan Daniel is working with Dr. K. Eric Sommers, a cardiothoracic surgeon and medical director of the TGH Center for Lung Cancer at the TGH Cancer Institute. A world-class thoracic surgeon, Dr. Daniel will be working to connect patients with advanced treatment options and innovative research trials while providing state-of-the-art and compassionate care that addresses the needs of the whole patient.

“Through the TGH Cancer Institute’s multidisciplinary team of specialists, which includes highly trained nurse practitioners, nurse navigators, nurses, social workers, counselors, spiritual services, physical and occupational therapy, dietary services and pharmacy, we have the ability to provide a seamless experience in the treatment of lung cancer,” Sommers said. In his 25-plus years at Tampa General, Sommers has performed more than 6,300 cardiothoracic surgeries including over 4,000 for lung cancer. His skill and expertise in minimally invasive lung and chest surgery have earned him national recognition.

“By bringing a highly skilled academic surgeon of Dr. Daniel’s stature to our rapidly growing multidisciplinary team under the leadership of Dr. Sommers (thoracic oncology) and Dr. Noman Ashraf (medical oncology), we are positioning the TGH Cancer Institute as the epicenter in the region, driving innovation in lung cancer early detection, comprehensive care and clinical research,” said Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, vice president and executive director of the TGH Cancer Institute. “With their prestigious academic credentials, passion for patients and deep experience in the operating room, they will help keep TGH Cancer Institute at the forefront of treating lung cancer.”

As a high school sophomore, Daniel became interested in medicine when his father underwent heart surgery. “It was something I’ll never forget,” he remarked, recalling having met with the surgeon after the operation. “My philosophy is to get patients home as quickly as appropriate and to provide them with real, tangible benefits.’’

Dr. Daniel’s background and experience includes:

• General surgery residency training at the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, in addition to conducting cancer research trials during a fellowship with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, also in Houston.
• He went on to complete his thoracic surgical training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. There, he was mentored by thoracic surgical pioneer Dr. David Sugarbaker.
• He then become chief of the Section of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has served as a lecturer and proctor for Intuitive Surgical, the manufacturer of the da Vinci robotic system.

“Dr. Daniel is a nationally recognized surgeon who brings a wealth of knowledge and acumen to the work we do here,” said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, EVP, chief of Oncology, president of the Tampa General Provider Network (TGPN) and co-vice president of Clinical and Translational Research, TGH-USF Health Office of Clinical Research. “The fact that Dr. Daniel is part of our excellent team of doctors underscores our priority to provide top-tier, innovative care to cancer patients in a leading academic medical center.”

One of the few Florida cancer centers backed by academic medicine, the TGH Cancer Institute ranks among the nation’s top 50 cancer centers in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals and No. 3 in the state. The institute provides comprehensive care via groundbreaking therapies, advanced diagnostic imaging tools and a highly coordinated, interdisciplinary approach to world-class patient care. It is certified by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Accreditation and has been named among of America's Best Cancer Hospitals by Newsweek. For more information about the TGH Cancer Institute, visit www.tgh.org/cancer.