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Home > OH Providers > Thoracic (Chest) Surgeons

Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD

(Dr. Sandra Starnes, MD)

(100 Ratings)

Specializes in: Thoracic Surgery

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Professional interests include: pectus carinatum, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumor, and more.

7700 University Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

(513) 298-3000

Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD is a thoracic surgeon in Cincinnati, OH specializing in thoracic surgery. She graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD is affiliated with UC Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Office Locations

UC Health

222 Piedmont Avenue Suite 7100
Cincinnati, OH 45219

(513) 475-8787

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UC Health

3151 Bellevue Avenue Barrett Cancer Building
Cincinnati, OH 45219

(513) 584-6920

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3200 Vine Street Cincinnati Vamc (539)
Cincinnati, OH 45220

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7690 Discovery Drive Suite 2300
West Chester, OH 45069

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UC Health

7700 University Drive
West Chester, OH 45069

(513) 298-3000

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Some issues Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD can help you with:

Lung Issues

Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.

Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.

Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.

Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 10%

By Affordability:

In 2023, Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD had a list price for dissection, lymphadenectomy (lymph node dissection), lymph node excision, and surgical dissection that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of providers in related specialties within Ohio. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Volume:

lymph node excision

thoracic surgery procedures

By Affordability:

anatomic lung resection

hospital care

inpatient care

inpatient hospital care

lobectomy

lung lobectomy

lymph node procedures

thoracic lymphadenectomy

thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy

VATS lobectomy

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within Ohio, Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD performed more lymph node excision, and thoracic (chest) surgery procedures procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and she also had a list price for anatomic lung resection, hospital care, inpatient care, inpatient hospital care (for patient admitted to hospital), lobectomy, lung lobectomy, lymph node procedures, thoracic lymphadenectomy, thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy, and VATS lobectomy that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	125

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Cincinnati, OH during 2013 were thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures, excision and hospital care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	154
excision	12
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11
minimally invasive procedures	12
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	12

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	63
Female	79

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	117
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	47

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	54
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	47
Diabetes	29
Dementia	8
Cancer	54

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	118

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	63

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	115
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	60
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	35

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2014

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	47
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	48
Diabetes	26
Dementia	8
Cancer	63

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	139

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	144
Female	116

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	228
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	124
From 75 to 84	66
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	49
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	28
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	48
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	54

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	133

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	76
Female	61

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	118
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	74
From 75 to 84	27
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	39
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	43
Diabetes	32
Dementia	8
Cancer	55

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Cincinnati, OH during 2017 were dissection, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures and lymph node procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

dissection	14
doctor visit	160
excision	14
lymph node procedures	14
minimally invasive procedures	14
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	14

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	85
Female	80

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	139
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	81
From 75 to 84	48
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	43
Diabetes	33
Dementia	10
Cancer	53

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Cincinnati, OH during 2018 were thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures, dissection and lymph node procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

dissection	14
doctor visit	189
excision	14
lobectomy	11
lymph node procedures	14
minimally invasive procedures	25
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	25

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	94
Female	92

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	159
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	99
From 75 to 84	52
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	42
Diabetes	35
Dementia	6
Cancer	56

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	167

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	75
Female	77

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	133
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	89
From 75 to 84	40
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2019

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	57
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	39
Diabetes	34
Dementia	0
Cancer	56

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Cincinnati, OH during 2020 were dissection, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures and lymph node procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

dissection	11
doctor visit	98
excision	11
lymph node procedures	11
minimally invasive procedures	11
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	11

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	73
Female	65

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	120
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	83
From 75 to 84	29
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	59
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	36
Diabetes	37
Dementia	9
Cancer	54

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Cincinnati, OH during 2021 were dissection, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, minimally invasive procedures and lymph node procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

dissection	12
doctor visit	131
excision	12
lymph node procedures	12
minimally invasive procedures	12
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	12

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	75
Female	68

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	121
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	79
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2021

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	36
Diabetes	32
Dementia	8
Cancer	58

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	121

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	67
Female	77

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	120
Black	11
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	79
From 75 to 84	48
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	40
Diabetes	34
Dementia	0
Cancer	67

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD treated as a thoracic surgeon in Cincinnati, OH were minimally invasive procedures, thoracic (chest) surgery procedures, dissection and lymph node procedures.

dissection	12
doctor visit	139
excision	12
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11
lobectomy	11
lymph node procedures	12
minimally invasive procedures	14
thoracic (chest) surgery procedures	14

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD.

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	70

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	1
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	124
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	32
85 and over	0
Less than 65	7
65 to 74	75

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, cancer and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	11
Osteoporosis	9
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	38
Diabetes	29
Atrial Fibrillation	14
Dementia	5
Cancer	51

Education & Training

Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine. She completed residency at Indiana University Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery (Certification Date) - (Recertification Date: 2024 -20) and has a state license in Ohio.

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine

Residency: Indiana University Affiliated Hospitals (2005)

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery (Certification Date) - (Recertification Date: 2024 -20) (2002)

Licensed In: Ohio

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UC Health

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 100 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Cincinnati, OH.

4.9

Overall Rating

(100 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Sandra L. Starnes, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Medtronic, Inc.	$255 Signia $255
Ethicon US, LLC	$168 ECHELON ENDOPATH Stapler $36	Energy: Harmonic $14	ECHELON FLEX Stapler $12	Biosurgicals $12	$93
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.	$138 Heart Valves $16	$121
Baxter Healthcare	$39 Surgical Care - Floseal $20	FLOSEAL $12	TISSEEL $7
AtriCure, Inc.	$27 AtriCure cryoICE cryoSPHERE Cryoablation System $27

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$412
Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker for a non-accredited and noncertified continuing education program	$121
Education	$93

Biography

Dr. Sandra Starnes, who practices in West Chester, OH and Cincinnati, OH, is a medical specialist in thoracic surgery. Before performing her residency at a hospital affiliated with Indiana University, Dr. Starnes attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine for medical school. Areas of expertise for Dr. Starnes include esophageal cancer, malignant mesothelioma, and small cell lung cancer. Dr. Starnes's average rating from her patients is 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Starnes is affiliated with UC Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.