Dr. Jeffrey Velotta

About Dr. Jeffrey Velotta, MD

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta is a board-certified thoracic surgeon based in Oakland, California. He specializes in treating mesothelioma, lung cancer, and esophageal cancer.

Dr. Velotta sees patients at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center and serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He also teaches at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.

Dr. Velotta is working to shape a health care system where doctors, hospitals, and specialists are all part of the same team. His goal is to make it easier for patients to get the right care at the right time.

Use our Free Doctor Match for help connecting with Dr. Velotta and other top mesothelioma specialists.

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta’s Mesothelioma Treatment Approach

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta focuses on surgical approaches to improve the quality of life and long-term outcomes for mesothelioma patients in his care.

To treat mesothelioma, he performs minimally invasive surgical procedures, often in combination with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation, depending on the specifics of each patient’s diagnosis.

This multimodal therapy approach, along with techniques to provide better pain relief and improve recovery after mesothelioma surgery, is aimed at helping those in his care get home from the hospital sooner with less reliance on pain medication.

“I [have] really enjoyed taking care of patients throughout their whole journey, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up. Additionally, you often have to think like a thoracic oncologist in our specialty, thus knowing the entire disease process and being able to help treat the patient from not only a surgical standpoint but also from a medical standpoint.”
– Dr. Jeffrey Velotta, pleural mesothelioma specialist

What Health Conditions Does Dr. Jeffrey Velotta Treat?

As a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Velotta treats diseases that affect the chest and its organs, including the heart, lungs, and diaphragm (muscle that helps with breathing).

His specialties include:

• Pleural mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining)
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer

He’s also an expert in the following procedures:

• Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D)
• Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

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Dr. Jeffrey Velotta’s Medical Background

Jeffrey Velotta, MD, has built a career that combines exceptional surgical practice with academic leadership.

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta earned his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine in 2005.

He completed a general surgery residency at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical School and a fellowship in thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Velotta also undertook a postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, deepening his expertise.

Highlights of Dr. Jeffrey Velotta’s Medical Career

Jeffrey Velotta is a board-certified thoracic surgeon who specializes in complex mesothelioma treatment options, lung cancer surgery, and esophageal cancer care.

Awards and Accolades

Dr. Velotta has received recognition for his contributions to surgical excellence in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.

These accolades include:

• Castle Connolly Top Doctor
• Top Asian American and Pacific Islander Doctor
• UCSF Medicine’s Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Mentorship Award

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta holds several licenses and board certifications in his field.

These professional affiliations include:

• American Board of Surgery
• American Board of Thoracic Surgery

Dr. Velotta practices at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center and holds teaching positions at UCSF and the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. His affiliations also include UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and UCSF Health.

He has earned recognition for his work with the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Mesothelioma Program and across the broader thoracic surgery community. In these circles, Dr. Velotta is known for excellence in patient care and surgical quality.

“Along with my colleagues, I am committed to maintaining Kaiser Permanente in Oakland as a center of excellence for the Bay Area and continuing its values and success.”
– Dr. Jeffrey Velotta, pleural mesothelioma specialist

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta’s Research and Published Works

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta has authored more than 100 articles focused on thoracic cancer treatment, surgical outcomes, and cancer care delivery within integrated health care systems. He also serves as an Editorial Board Member of the medical journal VATS.

Some of his published works include:

• Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Lung Cancer Surgery Outcomes in the USA. Published in Epidemiologia, April 2025.
• ASO Visual Abstract: The Impact of Preoperative Invasive Nodal Staging on Unexpected Mediastinal Upstaging in Early Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Published in Annals of Surgical Oncology, March 2025.
• Elevated risk of lung cancer among Asian American women who have never smoked: an emerging cancer disparity. Published in JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, November 2024.
• Expanding clinicians’ armamentarium for regional pain control after thoracic surgery. Published in Journal of Thoracic Disease, May 2023.

Dr. Velotta’s research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of thoracic cancer care. He studies how treatment decisions, care pathways, and surgical timing can each impact outcomes across diverse patient groups.

Use our Free Doctor Match to get in touch with Dr. Velotta and other mesothelioma experts.

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta’s Work in Cancer Treatment & Research

Dr. Jeffrey Velotta is a leading thoracic surgeon whose work goes beyond the operating room. He combines hands-on surgical experience with in-depth research on how cancer care is delivered across large, integrated health systems.

Dr. Velotta’s recent research includes improving lung cancer screening in Asian Americans and examining factors behind the increasing lung cancer incidence in non-smoking Asian American women. He also explores innovative surgical techniques through quality-focused research.

Patients consistently describe him as compassionate and attentive, noting that he takes the time to listen, answer questions, and ensure they feel confident in their care. Through his ongoing research and dedication to improving outcomes, Dr. Velotta continues to shape the future of cancer care.

Get Connected With Dr. Jeffrey Velotta

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, getting care from a specialist like Dr. Jeffrey Velotta can make the road ahead a little easier.

Experts like Dr. Velotta offer extensive experience in mesothelioma surgery, multimodality cancer treatment, and patient-centered care to help them achieve the best possible outcomes.

Whether you’re looking for a second opinion or ready to explore surgery, Dr. Velotta can help guide your next steps.

Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to get help connecting with Dr. Jeffrey Velotta and other top mesothelioma doctors.