Dr. Shanda Blackmon

About Dr. Shanda Blackmon

Patients with mesothelioma can receive care from Shanda Blackmon at the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute in Houston, Texas. She serves as Executive Director of the institute while continuing to treat patients with complex cancers.

Her practice includes surgery for mesothelioma, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and other conditions that affect the lungs and chest. She may use minimally invasive or robotic surgeries that require smaller incisions than traditional procedures.

Dr. Blackmon has performed over 5,000 operations during her career. She also leads clinical research that explores new surgical techniques, digital health tools, and ways to improve recovery after treatment.

Use our Free Doctor Match to connect with Dr. Blackmon and find out whether she may be the right mesothelioma specialist for you.

What Health Conditions Does Dr. Shanda Blackmon Treat?

As a thoracic surgeon, Dr. Blackmon treats a wide range of cancers and complex diseases affecting the lungs, chest, and esophagus.

Her primary areas of focus include:

• Pleural mesothelioma: A rare cancer that forms in the lining around the lungs 10-50 years after asbestos exposure
• Lung cancer: A disease that includes non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and other tumors that develop in the lungs
• Chest wall tumors: Tumors that form in the ribs, muscles, cartilage, or connective tissue of the chest
• Esophageal cancer: Cancer of the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach
• Mediastinal tumors: Benign or cancerous growths that develop in the area between the lungs

Her expertise allows her to care for patients with both common and rare thoracic cancers who require specialized surgical treatment.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon’s Approach to Mesothelioma Treatment

Every mesothelioma case is different, so there isn’t a single treatment plan that works for everyone. Before recommending surgery or other options, Dr. Blackmon carefully evaluates the cancer’s stage, cell type, and the patient’s overall health.

When appropriate, treatment may include:

• Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): Removing the affected lung along with the surrounding lining, part of the diaphragm, and part of the lining around the heart
• Immunotherapy: Using medications that help the immune system recognize and attack mesothelioma cells
• Pleurectomy/decortication (P/D): Removing the lining around the lung and visible tumors while leaving the lung in place
• Radiation therapy: Using high-energy radiation to shrink tumors, destroy cancer cells, or reduce the risk of cancer coming back before or after surgery
• Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery: Performing surgery through small incisions with robotic technology that gives surgeons greater control
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): Using a minimally invasive procedure involving a tiny camera and specialized instruments to diagnose or treat diseases of the chest
• Clinical trials: Giving eligible patients access to promising new therapies that are still being studied

Dr. Blackmon works with several other mesothelioma specialists, so each patient receives coordinated care from diagnosis through recovery.

Preparing for a treatment consultation? Download our Free Checklist of Questions to ask Dr. Blackmon before your first appointment.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon’s Medical Background

Shanda Blackmon earned a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin, followed by a Master of Public Health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta. She then received her medical degree from Atlanta’s Morehouse School of Medicine.

After medical school, Dr. Blackmon completed a general surgery residency at Georgia Baptist Hospital/Atlanta Medical Center before completing a cardiothoracic surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

She then served as a clinical instructor in thoracic surgical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she continued advanced training in the surgical treatment of pleural mesothelioma and other thoracic cancers.

Work Experience

Shanda Blackmon, MD, has held leadership positions at several respected medical institutions throughout her career.

Her professional experience includes:

• Executive Director, Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute
• Former Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital
• Former Director of User Experience and Consumer Digital Platform, Mayo Clinic
• Former Thoracic Surgeon, Mayo Clinic
• Member, David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
• Olga Keith Wiess Chair of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
• Professor of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine

Together, these positions reflect Dr. Blackmon’s experience caring for patients with complex thoracic diseases while serving in leadership roles at major treatment centers.

Highlights of Dr. Shanda Blackmon’s Medical Career

Throughout her career, Dr. Shanda Blackmon has earned recognition for her work as a thoracic surgeon, researcher, educator, and health care leader.

Awards and Accolades

Dr. Blackmon has received several honors recognizing her contributions to thoracic surgery and patient care.

Her notable awards and honors include:

• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Baylor College of Medicine
• Distinguished Service Award, Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), 2025
• Extraordinary Woman in Cardiothoracic Surgery Award, Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS), 2024
• MERIT Enhanced Recovery Pathway Quality Improvement Initiative Co-Champion, Mayo Clinic, 2023

These highlight Dr. Blackmon’s longstanding commitment to advancing thoracic surgery and helping shape the future of cancer treatment.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Blackmon is an active member of several organizations dedicated to thoracic surgery, cancer research, and physician education.

Her professional affiliations include:

• American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS)
• American College of Surgeons (ACS), Fellow (FACS)
• American Surgical Association (ASA)
• Society of Thoracic Surgeons Foundation (STS Foundation)
• Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA)

By remaining active in national surgical organizations, Dr. Blackmon helps advance research, education, and best practices that improve treatment options for mesothelioma patients.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon’s Contributions to Clinical Research

In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Blackmon conducts clinical trials to improve the diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Her areas of clinical research include:

• Developing and evaluating new surgical procedures for pleural mesothelioma
• Examining how immunotherapy works with surgery and radiation as part of multimodal treatment
• Measuring how different treatments affect recovery, quality of life, and long-term survival
• Identifying biomarkers that may help predict how patients respond to mesothelioma treatment
• Improving cancer screening and early detection for people at high risk
• Tracking patient-reported outcomes to better understand recovery after surgery

Clinical research allows Dr. Blackmon to evaluate new ideas while building on what is already known about mesothelioma care.

Find out whether a clinical trial could be part of your treatment plan by using our Free Doctor Match to connect with Dr. Blackmon.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon’s Mesothelioma Research and Published Works

Shanda Blackmon has authored hundreds of scientific publications related to thoracic surgery, cancer care, and patient outcomes.

Some of her published works include:

• Soluble Mesothelin-Related Peptide as a Prognosticator in Pleural Mesothelioma Patients Receiving Checkpoint Immunotherapy. Published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, April 2025.
• Surgical Staging and Resection of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Published in Journal of Thoracic Disease, December 2020.
• Surgery for Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy (SMART): A Single Institution Experience. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, October 2020.
• How Accurate Is Clinical Staging for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma? Published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, May 2020.
• National Trends in the Epidemiology of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A National Cancer Data Base Study. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, February 2018.

Her research has contributed to improved surgical techniques, treatment planning, and understanding of mesothelioma patient outcomes.

Get Connected With Dr. Shanda Blackmon

Finding the right mesothelioma specialist can make an important difference when trying to find the best treatment for your case.

Dr. Shanda Blackmon is recognized for her expertise in thoracic surgical oncology and her contributions to mesothelioma research and patient care.

Mesothelioma Hope helps patients connect with experienced physicians, cancer centers, financial assistance programs, and support resources.

Our Patient Advocates can help connect you with Dr. Blackmon and provide information about scheduling, treatment, and available support resources. Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match to get started right now.