About Brian Pettiford

Dr. Brian Pettiford is a thoracic surgeon from Tifton, Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Morehouse College, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During his surgical residency, he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.

He began his cardiothoracic surgery practice in Massachusetts in 2003 and served as a clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2005 to 2009. Prior to joining Ochsner Health, he worked with the Wellspan Health System as a cardiothoracic surgeon from 2009 to 2014.

He is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and holds memberships in various medical societies including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Society, and the Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society.

He has authored or co-authored over 40 journal articles and book chapters. He also served in the United States Navy Reserve Medical Corps from 1998 to 2006, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Dr. Pettiford's professional interests include robotic surgery for the treatment of lung cancer and benign lung disease, malignant mesothelioma and minimally invasive treatment of esophageal cancer, as well as benign esophageal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal achalasia. He is located at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, LA.