Johannes Kratz

MD

Thoracic and cancer surgeon
Director, Advanced Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
Early-stage lung cancer researcher, avid skier and biker

Dr. Johannes Kratz is a thoracic surgeon who specializes in treating disorders of the trachea, chest wall, lung, esophagus and mediastinum (the space between the lungs containing the heart and other structures). He directs UCSF's program for advanced minimally invasive thoracic surgery.

Kratz's research interests include robotic surgery outcomes, lung and esophageal cancers, biomarkers to personalize lung cancer treatment and immunotherapies for thoracic tumors. His current research focuses on understanding the molecular and genetic profiles of high-risk tumors in early stages and developing targeted therapies to treat them.

While a surgical research fellow at the UCSF Thoracic Oncology Laboratory, Kratz developed a test that more accurately predicts outcomes for patients with early-stage lung cancer. Now available to patients, this test has improved outcomes for those with high-risk lung cancer detected early.

Kratz earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School, graduating magna cum laude. He completed a general surgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at UCSF. He also has a master's degree in philosophy from Stanford University.

Kratz is a member of the American College of Surgeons, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Massachusetts Medical Society and American Society of Clinical Oncology. In 2017, he received a UCSF Health Exceptional Physician Award. He is the Van Auken Endowed Chair in Thoracic Oncology at UCSF.

  • Education

    Stanford University, B.A., Philosophy, 1998

    Stanford University, M.A., Philosophy, 2000

    Stanford University, B.S., Biological Sciences, 1998

    Harvard School of Medicine, 2006

  • Residencies

    Massachusetts General Hospital, General Surgery, 2014

  • Fellowships

    American Association for Thoracic Surgery Graham Foundation, Surgical Robotics, 2016

    UCSF Medical Center, Thoracic Surgery, 2017

  • Board Certifications

    Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery

    Surgery, American Board of Surgery

  • Academic Title

    Assistant Professor

Helping others is at the core of everything I am passionate about.

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    72 Ratings
    About our process
    Jan 27, 2022
    Dr Kratz was very helpful in explaining everything to me and answered all my questions. I feel very confident in his knowledge and expertise.
    Oct 22, 2021
    Dr. Kratz is remarkable! I know that his CV speaks for itself - but his to approach patient care concern and communication - in such a genuine manner - is rare to find in the medical world today. I am extraordinarily grateful that I was able to get the appointment with Dr. Kratz and feel nothing but gratitude for his willingness to take me on as a patient and treat me!I
    Dec 11, 2020
    Good
    Aug 06, 2020
    Very pleased with the care I received. Dr Kratz was great as well as his assistant!
    Jul 11, 2020
    Waited on Zoom more than an hour before he joined

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