Frank Velez
Papers
3
Total Citations
9
H-Index
2
About
Frank Velez is a surgical outcomes researcher whose work focuses on health equity and perioperative risk factors in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery. His major contributions center on identifying how social determinants of health—specifically socioeconomic status, nutritional status, and geographic access—affect outcomes after robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy. In his most-cited study (4 citations), Velez demonstrated that lower socioeconomic status correlates with poorer perioperative outcomes and survival following lung cancer resection, highlighting systemic disparities in surgical care. Another key paper (3 citations) established that low postoperative pre-albumin levels are a significant predictor of complications and prolonged hospital length of stay, offering a modifiable target for improving recovery. His work on geographic barriers (2 citations) further revealed that patients living farther from cancer centers experience worse postoperative outcomes, including extended hospital stays. By quantifying these disparities, Velez’s research provides actionable insights for improving surgical equity and patient risk stratification. His findings are particularly valuable for clinicians and policymakers seeking to reduce outcome gaps in minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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