Ray Chihara, MD, PhD
Ray Chihara, MD, PhD
Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lung Transplant Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
Accepting New Patients
No Video Visits Available
About Dr. Ray Chihara
"To improve outcomes in lung transplantation patients using robotic surgery and new technologies."
Ray Chihara, MD, PhD serves as the surgical director of lung transplantation and Assistant Professor of Surgery. He attended Indiana University to obtain his medical degree, general surgery residency and earned a doctorate in Cellular and Integrative Physiology studying xenotransplantation. He completed his cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Emory University, Atlanta. Dr. Chihara has a multifaceted clinical interest in robotic surgery, thoracic oncology which includes lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors and benign thoracic disease processes such as chronic respiratory failure, esophageal motility disorders and diaphragm dysfunction.
Dr. Ray Chihara has an academic appointment.
Learn more
about their research interests.
Clinical Interests
- Benign lung and esophageal disease
- Chest wall and diaphragmatic disease
- Foregut surgery
- Interstitial lung disease
- Lung and mediastinal mass resection
- Lung and esophageal cancer
- Lung transplantation
- Pleural disease
- Robotic and minimally invasive thoracic surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIALS FROM UHC EP-1 (PPO) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC EP-3 (PPO) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC EP-2 (PPO) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CareFlex FROM UHC TX-44 (HMO-POS)**
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CareFlex FROM UHC TX-45 (HMO-POS)**
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIAL FROM UHC TX-21 (HMO-POS)**
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIAL FROM UHC TX-22 (HMO-POS)**
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC TX-27 (HMO-POS)**
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC TX-28 (HMO-POS)**
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-35 (HMO-POS) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-38(HMO-POS) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-39 (HMO-POS) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-40 (HMO-POS) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-41 (HMO-POS) **
- (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-47 (HMO-POS) **
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-005
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-013
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-014
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-021
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-025
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-026
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-32 (PPO)** H1278-022
- (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-34 (PPO)** H1278-024
- (WELLMED) SECURE HORIZON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0023 (HMO-POS)**
- (WELLMED) SECURE HORIZON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0025 (HMO-POS)**
- Aetna Affordable Health Choices
- Aetna APCN Plus Multi-Tier HM Tier 2
- Aetna Choice POS / Open Choice
- Aetna Common Spirit Minimum Value Plan
- Aetna CommonSpirit Health KelseyCare
- Aetna EPO
- Aetna Health Network
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna International
- Aetna Managed Choice / Elect Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO
- Aetna Medicare Dual Complete Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare HMO Prime
- Aetna Meritain Hlth/Aetna Premier Care (APCN)
- Aetna Open Access
- Aetna POS
- Aetna PPO
- Aetna Premier Care Network
- Aetna QPOS
- Aetna Select
- Aetna Signature Administrators
- Aetna Signature Administrators Allied Benefits
- Aetna Signature Administrators CoreSource
- Aetna Signature Administrators EBMS
- Aetna Signature Administrators MODA
- Aetna Student Health
- Aetna Transplant
- Aetna TX Pref Plus II Network
- Aetna Workers' Comp
- All Saver/United Healthcare
- BCBS PPO GUIDESTONE
- BCBS PPO Wespath
- Best Doctors International
- Bind Surest UHC
- Blue Choice POS
- Blue Choice PPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO
- Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Federal Employee Plan
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Out of State
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO/UT Care
- Blue Cross Blue Shield POS
- Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
- Blue Edge
- Blue Essentials
- Blue Essentials Access
- Cigna Allegiance Houston Methodist Employee Medical Plan
- Cigna Allegiance OAP
- Cigna Allegiance PPO
- Cigna APWU
- Cigna C-24 Network
- Cigna Choice Fund
- Cigna EPO
- Cigna Global Health Benefits (International)
- Cigna Great West
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna Indemnity
- Cigna LocalPlus
- Cigna NALC
- Cigna Network
- Cigna Network Open Access
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP)
- Cigna POS
- Cigna PPO
- Cigna Qualcare
- Cigna Shared Administration OAP
- Cigna Shared Administration PPO
- Cigna SureFit
- Community Health Choice Medicare Advantage HMO DSNP
- Community Health Choice PREMIER Gold
- Community Health Choice PREMIER Silver
- Coventry PPO
- DEVOTED CORE 001 TX (HMO)
- DEVOTED CORE 019 TX (HMO)
- DEVOTED C-SNP Plus 031 TX (HMO C-SNP)
- DEVOTED C-SNP Premium 030 TX (HMO C-SNP)
- DEVOTED DUAL 010 TX (HMO D-SNP)
- DEVOTED DUAL FULL 040 (HMO D-SNP)
- DEVOTED GIVEBACK 006 TX (HMO)
- DEVOTED HEALTH DUAL PLUS GREATER HOUSTON
- DEVOTED PREMIUM 002 (HMO)
- Entrust/90 Degree EDI Payer ID# 36878
- First Health PPO
- GeoBlue
- HAA Preferred Partners (International)
- HealthSmart Accel PPO
- HealthSmart Payors Organization
- HealthSmart PPO
- Healthspring/Cigna MCR HMO
- Healthspring/Cigna MCR PPO
- Healthspring/Cigna MCR Total Care Dual
- HMO Blue
- Humana Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Plus/Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage HMO
- Humana Medicare Advantage PPO
- Humana TRICARE 2
- Kelsey Seybold Affiliate Network
- Medica Choice with UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus
- Medicare
- MEDICARE ADVANTAGE : TEXAN PLUS
- Medicare Railroad
- Molina Healthcare of TX CHIP MCD
- Molina Healthcare STAR+PLUS MCD
- Molina Healthcare TX STAR MCD
- Molina Marketplace Exchange
- Molina Medicare Complete Care HMO (Dual) HIDE
- Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus (HMO Dual-SNP) FIDE
- MultiPlan PPO
- Olympus Managed Care (International)
- PHCS Healthy Directions
- PHCS MEDI-SHARE
- PHCS PPO
- PHCS/Multiplan Practitioner & Ancillary Only
- ProCare Medicare Advantage
- Sana Benefits
- Three Rivers Provider Network
- TRS-ActiveCare 2 Group 385002
- TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-South Texas Region Group 295430
- TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-West Texas Region Group 295781
- TRS-ActiveCare HD Group 385000
- TRS-ActiveCare Primary Group 385003
- TRS-ActiveCare Primary Plus Group 385001
- TRS-Care Standard ALT A I Group 485002
- TRS-Care Standard ALT A II Group 485003
- TRS-Care Standard ALT B I Group 485005
- TRS-Care Standard ALT B II Group 485006
- TRS-Care Standard CMED Group 485001
- TRS-Care Standard Group 485000
- TX Annual Conf of UMC-UMR
- UHC COMPLETE CARE SUPPORT TX-1A (REGIONAL PPO C-SNP)** R6801-008
- UHC Complete Care TX-16 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-039
- UHC Complete Care TX-17 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-040
- UHC Complete Care TX-18 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-041
- UHC Complete Care TX-19 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-042
- UHC COMPLETE CARE TX-29 (REGIONAL PPO C-SNP)** R6801-009
- UHC DUAL COMPLETE TX-S001 (REGIONAL PPO D-SNP)** R6801-011
- UHC GR MA HALLIBURTON HMO 137 ** H0609-822-137
- UHC GR MA LOCKHEED HMO 164 ** H0609-822-164
- UHC GR MA RIO TINTO SERVICE
- UHC GR MA TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM HMO 199** H0609-822-207
- UHC GR MA VERIZON HMO 207** H0609-822-207
- UHC MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0030 (REGIONAL PPO)** R6801-012
- UMR
- United Health Integrated Services
- United HealthCare Community Plan Dual Complete (HMO SNP)
- United Healthcare Nexus ACO RA or OA
- United Healthcare Plan of the River Valley
- UnitedHealthcare Choice
- UnitedHealthcare ChoicePlus
- UnitedHealthcare Core
- UnitedHealthcare Core Plus
- UnitedHealthcare EPO
- UnitedHealthcare Golden Rule
- UnitedHealthcare HMO
- UnitedHealthcare Navigate
- UnitedHealthcare Navigate Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Options PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Oxford
- UnitedHealthcare POS
- UnitedHealthcare PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
- UnitedHealthcare West
- UnitedHealthOne
- US Family Health Plan
- WellMed AARP Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
- WellMed AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 1 & Plan 2
- WellMed Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
- WellMed Medicare Advantage Patriot
- WellMed UHC Dual Complete HMO D-SNP
- WellMed UnitedHealthCare Dual Complete Choice (Regional PPO D-SNP)
- WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Advantage Choice (Regional PPO)
- WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Gold (Regional PPO C-SNP)
- WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Silver (Regional PPO C-SNP)
- Wellpoint Chronic Care (HMO C-SNP)
- Wellpoint Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
- Wellpoint Dual Advantage 2 (HMO D-SNP)
- WELLPOINT ESSENTIALS MARKETPLACE
- Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
- Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage 2 (HMO D-SNP)
- Wellpoint Home Care (HMO C-SNP)
- Wellpoint Kidney Care (HMO C-SNP)
- Wellpoint Kidney Care (HMO-POS C-SNP)
- Wellpoint Lung Care (HMO C-SNP)
- Wellpoint Medicare Advantage 2 (HMO)
- Wellpoint Select (HMO)
Insurance plans may change. Please verify your plan is accepted when scheduling an appointment.
Credentials
Fellowship
- Thoracic and Cardiothoracic Surgery | Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia | 2018
Board Certification
- Surgery | American Board of Surgery | 2016
- Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery | American Board of Thoracic Surgery | 2016
Residency
- General Surgery | Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana | 2015
Doctor of Philosophy
- Cellular and Integrated Physiology | Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana | 2014
Doctor of Medicine
- Medicine | Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana | 2007
Undergraduate
- Computer Science | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan | 2003
Affiliated Hospitals
- Houston Methodist Hospital
Center Memberships
- Houston Methodist J.C. Walter Jr. Transplant Center
- Houston Methodist Lynda K. & David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health
- Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center
Academic Appointments
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery, Academic Institute
- Member, Research Institute, Academic Institute
- Houston Methodist
- Weill Cornell Medical College
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Languages listed are spoken by doctor and/or office staff.
Publications
FAQ
Can I schedule an appointment online with Dr. Ray Chihara?
Yes, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Ray Chihara online today.
Is Dr. Ray Chihara accepting new patients?
Yes, Dr. Ray Chihara is accepting new patients. You can view Dr. Ray Chihara's next available appointment and schedule online.
What insurance does Dr. Ray Chihara accept?
See all insurance plans that Dr. Ray Chihara accepts.
What practice does Dr. Ray Chihara work at?
Dr. Ray Chihara works at Houston Methodist Department of Surgery.
Where is Dr. Ray Chihara office located?
Dr. Ray Chihara has 1 office location(s). View complete address(es) on Dr. Ray Chihara's profile.
How do patients rate Dr. Ray Chihara in reviews?
284 patients have reviewed Dr. Ray Chihara. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.9/5. You can read individual reviews and ratings on Dr. Ray Chihara's profile.
What languages does Dr. Ray Chihara speak?
Dr. Ray Chihara, or the office, speaks English, Japanese.
What are Dr. Ray Chihara's specialties?
Dr. Ray Chihara is a specialist in Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lung Transplant Surgery, Thoracic Surgery.