Brian Pettiford, MD, MBA, MMM, FACS, is a surgical oncologist with a focus in thoracic surgery at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Pettiford is a native of Tifton, Georgia. He is an honors graduate of Morehouse College where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He earned a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine where he continued his general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery training. During surgical residency, Dr. Pettiford was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Pettiford began his cardiothoracic surgery clinical practice in Massachusetts in 2003. He served as clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2005 to 2009. Prior to joining Ochsner Health, he was employed by the Wellspan Health System as a cardiothoracic surgeon from 2009 through 2014. Dr. Pettiford is certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and holds memberships in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Society and the Eastern Cardiothoracic Surgical Society. He has authored or coauthored over 40 journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Pettiford served in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Corps from 1998 to 2006, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. His professional interests include robotic surgery for the treatment of lung cancer and benign lung disease. He also has extensive experience in the treatment of malignant mesothelioma and the minimally invasive treatment of esophageal cancer as well as benign esophageal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal achalasia. Dr. Pettiford earned an MBA from the University of Miami Herbert School of Business in 2018. In 2023, he earned a Master of Medical Management degree from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. In his spare time, Dr. Pettiford enjoys exercising and listening to classic jazz.



Ochsner Health is ranked among the nation’s top 10% in Pulmonology and Lung Surgery by U.S. News & World Report, with Ochsner Medical Center rated as “High Performing” in lung cancer surgery. Ochsner's thoracic surgery program is recognized as a 3-star program by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, placing it in the top 2.5% of programs in North America for quality and outcomes. Additionally, Ochsner's innovative single-event anesthesia program diagnoses and treats lung cancer in a single day, reducing patient wait times and minimizing anesthesia exposure.