Your Thoracic Care Team at UHN
Nursing Manager:
Allison Somers
Nurse Practitioners:
Laura Litner
Leslie Maiden
Erin Mitchell
Marijana Zubrinic
Allied Health:
At the University Health Network’s Thoracic Surgery program, allied health professionals are integral to the delivery of comprehensive, patient-centred care. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists support patients through post-operative mobilization and functional recovery, promoting early rehabilitation and discharge readiness. Dietitians provide specialized nutritional guidance, particularly for patients undergoing major lung or esophageal surgery. Social workers assist patients and families in navigating psychosocial challenges, discharge planning, and access to community resources. Together, these allied health teams collaborate closely with surgeons, nurses, and physician assistants to ensure optimal surgical outcomes and holistic care.
Thoracic Surgery Inpatient Information
At the University Health Network’s Thoracic Surgery & Respirology Inpatient Unit—part of the Surgery and Critical Care Program—nurses provide compassionate, highly skilled care to patients with complex respiratory and thoracic needs, including those with lung cancer, esophageal disease, GERD, advanced airway conditions, and those being considered for transplant. This is a 24-bed unit with an integrated step-down capacity, ensuring close monitoring and smooth transitions for post-operative patients.
Throughout each patient’s journey, the nursing team demonstrates expertise in advanced respiratory assessment and patient‑centered care, working collaboratively across disciplines to meet the challenges posed by complex cases with a commitment to excellence, and support for a workplace culture rooted in teamwork and respect.
Surgery Guides
What Surgery are you having?
Select a link from bellow to be taken to a page on the University Health Network website that explains and breakdowns the different surgery types generally utilized by the Thoracic Surgery doctors.
Our Programs
Listed below are our programs linking you directly to the UHN Thoracic Surgery Website
Listed below are the different programs that the Thoracic Surgery teams works with directly. Each button will take you to the University Health Network website and the specific program page.