Physicians
Thomas E. Gaines, MD
Dr. Gaines is a cardiothoracic surgeon with University Heart Surgeons. He is available for cardiac surgical consultation at our University Heart Surgeons Office and will see patients with non-cardiac chest problems including those with diagnosed or suspect chest malignancy in the UT Chest Service Office. After receiving his bachelor’s degree at Seattle Pacific College, Dr. Gaines studied medicine at the University of Washington, receiving the Doctor of Medicine degree in 1979. He completed a surgical internship and residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and a residency in cardiothoracic surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
While on active duty with the U.S. Army, Dr. Gaines served as a general surgeon in Nuernberg, Germany, and as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO. After leaving the military in 1991, Dr. Gaines joined the staff of UT Medical Center and was appointed to the faculty of the UT Graduate School of Medicine in the division of cardiothoracic surgery.
Dr. Gaines has taught surgical residents and lectured extensively in the fields general thoracic and adult cardiac surgery. He holds board certification the American Board of Surgery, and the American Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Tennessee Medical Association and the Knoxville Academy of Medicine. He has focused interests in the surgical treatment of chest malignancies and atrial fibrillation, as well as broad experience in surgery for coronary and valvular heart disease and thoracic aortic disease.
Education
- BS, Seattle Pacific College 1974
- MD, University of Washington 1979
Internship
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center 1979-1980
Residency
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center 1980-1984
Fellowship
- Walter Reed Army Medical Center 1986-1988
Board Certification
- National Board of Medical Examiners
- American Board of Surgery
- American Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Professional Societies
- American College of Chest Physicians
- American College of Surgeons
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons
- Tennessee Medical Association
- Knoxville Academy of Medicine