- Chai was chosen through a competitive national review process recognizing surgeons with exceptional clinical skill, leadership promise, and commitment to advancing thoracic surgery.
- The institute offers focused development in leadership, strategic decision-making, and healthcare policy to prepare surgeons for influential roles in academic and clinical settings.
- Chai has expertise in minimally invasive thoracic oncology and translational immunotherapy research, strengthening Fox Chase’s clinical and academic impact.
PHILADELPHIA (June 8, 2026) — Louis Chai, MD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has been selected to be part of the highly competitive Society of Thoracic Surgeons Leadership Institute, a distinguished professional development program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in cardiothoracic surgery.
Chai was also awarded a 2026 Alley-Sheridan Scholarship from the Thoracic Surgery Foundation, the charitable arm of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, to attend the Leadership Institute.
A National Honor for Rising Surgical Leaders
Chai was selected through a rigorous national process that identifies promising early- and mid-career surgeons who demonstrate exceptional clinical skill, leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing the field of thoracic surgery.
“Being selected for the Leadership Institute is a tremendous honor,” said Chai. “I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field and to develop skills that will help me accomplish my personal and professional goals, influence change in an increasingly complex healthcare environment, and ultimately, better serve my patients and contribute to the future of thoracic surgery.”
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Leadership Institute provides participants with advanced training in strategic decision-making, communication, healthcare policy, and professional development, preparing surgeons for influential leadership roles within hospitals, academic institutions, and national surgical organizations.
Education, Training, and Academic Achievement
Chai joined Fox Chase last year from Temple University Hospital, where he completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery and served as chief fellow. At Fox Chase, he specializes in the surgical treatment of cancers of the chest, including lung and esophageal cancers, with a focus on minimally invasive thoracic surgery. His research interests include translational immunotherapy and improving care for patients with complex thoracic malignancies.
He earned his medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed his general surgery residency at Rutgers University, where he served as administrative chief resident. During his training, he also spent two years as a research fellow at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island, studying immunotherapy approaches for solid tumors and the tumor microenvironment.
Chai has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has presented his research at national and international conferences.
Dedication to Excellence
“Dr. Chai’s selection for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Leadership Institute reflects his dedication to excellence in patient care and his potential to make a significant impact in healthcare and shape the future of thoracic surgery,” said Stacey Su, MD, FACS, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Fox Chase. “We are proud to see him recognized so early in his career by one of the field’s most respected professional organizations.”
Founded in 1964, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons is an international nonprofit professional organization representing more than 7,500 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers, and allied health professionals dedicated to improving outcomes for patients undergoing surgery of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest.