Scientific Committee

Dr. Puja Gaur Khaitan

Dr. Puja Khaitan is a board-certified thoracic surgeon, who is a Professor at Georgetown University in Washington DC. As the director of esophageal surgery and the medical director of the thoracic unit, Dr. Khaitan primarily performs robotic surgery involving the lung, mediastinum, esophagus, and foregut. She also conducts major reconstructive esophageal surgery such as supercharged-jejunal interposition and is actively growing the institution's endoscopic program for EMR and POEM. Additionally, Dr. Khaitan is the surgical liaison for the institution's quality, safety, and outcomes council, high-risk procedure committee, and heads the pain and ERAS committees as their surgical champion. In addition to clinical scholarship, Dr. Khaitan has a strong interest in research, education, and innovation. As a clinician-scientist with key research interests in various aspects of lung and esophageal cancer, Dr. Khaitan has published and presented on screening to diagnosis and management of early-stage cancer to understanding tumor biology, response to immunotherapy, and radiation repair pathways. She leads a multitude of training curricula for residents, thoracic mid-levels as the advanced practitioner delegate, surgical floor nurses, and operating room nursing. Earlier this year, she launched the very 1st Medstar wide Esophageal Cancer Conference. As an avid advocate of lung and esophageal cancer screening, she actively participates and has spoken on online blogs, podcasts, and held a year-long lecture series at local YMCA centers. Dr. Khaitan is well published, holds numerous positions in various national committees, and actively participates in national and international meetings with a global presence in the field. Finally, Dr. Khaitan has a passion for innovation and cutting-edge research on digital technology/ translational medicine.