University of Chicago Medicine (University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center)
5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637
University of Chicago Medicine is home to the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is a top mesothelioma cancer center of excellence. University of Chicago Medicine for mesothelioma has one of the top HIPEC programs in the midwest region of the United States.
Pleural Mesothelioma and Peritoneal Mesothelioma
University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
5841 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler
Dr. Jessica Donington
Dr. Mecker Möller
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More About Mesothelioma Treatment at University of Chicago Medicine
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that forms in the lining of specific cavities and can spread to organs. Due to the rarity, people with mesothelioma should prioritize receiving care and treatment from an established cancer center with a team of specialists.
The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center has two doctors for peritoneal mesothelioma (forms in the lining of the abdominal cavity) on staff: Dr. Mecker Möller and Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler. Dr. Kindler is also the head of the cancer center’s Mesothelioma Program.
The hospital’s Mesothelioma Program also includes two thoracic surgeons capable of treating pleural mesothelioma (forms in the lining of the lungs): Dr. Jessica Donington and Dr. Mark Ferguson. Dr. Kiran Turaga previously worked here as a mesothelioma specialist but moved to Yale School of Medicine.
The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center has more medical professionals offering mesothelioma treatment and care, including:
- Three radiologists
- An oncologist
- A pulmonologist (specialist of respiratory system functioning)
- Two pathologists
- Two palliative medicine specialists
A staff with this many mesothelioma doctors – plus a developed program – puts the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center near the top of the list for mesothelioma care. There are a handful of cancer centers in the U.S. with mesothelioma specialists and programs.
University of Chicago Medicine recently added a new state-of-the-art facility. The new hospital will be at the campus in Hyde Park, a subdivision in the south side of Chicago. This facility will focus on cancer treatment. Construction is estimated to begin in 2023 – if the cancer center addition is approved – and open to patients in 2026.
The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated center.
Experienced Mesothelioma Specialists
- Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler, Director of Mesothelioma Program
- Dr. Mecker Möller, Director of the HIPEC Program
- Dr. Jessica Donington, Chief of the Section of Thoracic Surgery
- Dr. Mark Ferguson, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Darren Bryan, thoracic surgeon
Affiliations
- University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
- University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center
Treatment Specialties
- Cytoreductive/HIPEC surgery
- Pleurectomy/decortication
- Immunotherapy
- Systemic chemotherapy
- Radiation
Get Connected to University of Chicago Medicine
University of Chicago Medicine has a leading Mesothelioma Program, which is run by Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler. There is a peritoneal mesothelioma specialist and two pleural mesothelioma surgeons.
Why Choose University of Chicago Medicine?
- Sees cases of pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma
- Highly rated mesothelioma program with full team of professionals
- Surgery options and clinical trials for advanced cases
Surgery for Both Types of Mesothelioma
University of Chicago Medicine’s cancer center has specialists for mesothelioma capable of performing surgery for mesothelioma.
Pleural mesothelioma surgery options are pleurectomy/decortication and extrapleural pneumonectomy. The former is preferred since it leaves both lungs intact.
Peritoneal mesothelioma surgery is cytoreduction. The other part is hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The medical team infuses chemotherapy into the abdominal cavity to treat tumors in the area. The cancer center is most known for their HIPEC surgery program, which is now led by an experienced HIPEC surgeon and peritoneal mesothelioma specialist in Dr. Möller.
“We all know prevention is better than cure,” Dr. Turaga said. “If we can predict this disease early or find it very early, there’s no question these patients will do better.”
Hospital Ranking
- Not listed in the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Hospitals Honor Roll
- Ranked 3rd in Illinois
- Ranked 2nd in Chicago
- Ranked 12th for cancer treatment
- Ranked 39th gastrointestinal surgery (peritoneal mesothelioma)
- Ranked 20th in lung cancer surgery (pleural mesothelioma)
Consideration to Rising Treatments
University of Chicago Medicine’s cancer center is hosting a study for two immune checkpoint inhibitors for mesothelioma. The therapies, Opdivo and Yervoy, are approved by the FDA for unresectable pleural mesothelioma. This study is one of the first incorporating immunotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Patients receive Opdivo and Yervoy (brand names for nivolumab and ipilimumab, respectively), followed by HIPEC/cytoreductive surgery. The objective is to assess how peritoneal mesothelioma tumors respond to immunotherapy treatment – and if the drugs shrink tumors and make surgery easier.
How to Get Treatment at University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center for Mesothelioma
Chicago is an easily accessible cancer center with regular incoming flights from throughout the country. This means going to University of Chicago Medicine’s cancer center is a top option for patients.
The HIPEC program is highly regarded and now is led by Dr. Möller, who was the first HIPEC surgeon for peritoneal mesothelioma in south Florida when she worked at the University of Miami. Thoracic oncology and surgery is also rated well.
If you wish to learn more about mesothelioma care from this cancer center, contact our team. Our registered nurse, Karen Ritter (karen@mesotheliomaguide.com), can help you contact the Mesothelioma Program at the hospital. Reach out to her for cancer recommendations via email or with a cancer center contact form.
Sources & Author
- Our Mesothelioma Physician Team. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/cancer/types-treatments/mesothelioma/physicians. Accessed: 01/01/2021.
- University of Chicago Medical Center. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved from: https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/il/university-of-chicago-medical-center-6431210. Accessed: 08/11/2025.
- Mecker G. Möller, MD. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/mecker-moller. Accessed: 11/21/2023.
- Hedy Lee Kindler, MD. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/hedy-lee-kindler. Accessed: 01/01/2021.
- Jessica Donington, MD, MSCR, UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://surgery.uchicago.edu/faculty/jessica-donington-md. Accessed: 01/05/2021.
- Mark K. Ferguson, MD. UChicago Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/mark-k-ferguson. Accessed: 01/05/2021.
- UChicago Medicine wants to build $633 million hospital to treat cancer. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved from: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/2/3/22915102/uchicago-medicine-wants-build-633-million-hospital-treat-cancer. Accessed: 02/10/2022.
AI Summary of University of Chicago Medicine (University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center)
The University of Chicago Medicine, located at 5841 S. Maryland Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading cancer treatment center that specializes in mesothelioma care. Recognized as part of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, it offers some of the most advanced treatment options available in the Midwest region. The center is dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive care for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs or abdominal cavity. Their team of specialists works together to offer tailored treatment plans based on the individual needs of each patient, focusing on both effectiveness and quality of life.
The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center employs a diverse team of experts, including thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and specialists in respiratory health and palliative care. The center's staff includes top physicians, such as Dr. Hedy Lee Kindler and Dr. Jessica Donington, who have extensive experience in treating both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. They also utilize innovative procedures and participate in clinical research to identify new therapies and improve outcomes, such as their highly regarded HIPEC program for abdominal mesothelioma. The hospital is known for its ability to perform complex surgeries and offers multiple options, including cytoreductive surgery combined with heated chemotherapy to target tumors effectively.
The center is actively involved in research and clinical trials, including studies on immunotherapy options like Opdivo and Yervoy, which are FDA-approved for treating unresectable pleural mesothelioma. These studies aim to evaluate the potential benefits of immunotherapy in shrinking tumors and making surgical interventions more manageable. Patients from across the country find it accessible due to Chicago’s convenient location and the center's reputation for expertise and compassionate care. As part of their commitment to innovation and excellence, the University of Chicago is constructing a new state-of-the-art facility scheduled to open in 2026, further enhancing their capacity to deliver cutting-edge cancer treatment.
In summary, the University of Chicago Medicine provides a comprehensive approach to mesothelioma treatment, combining specialized surgical procedures, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Their multidisciplinary team is highly skilled and committed to offering the most effective treatments for both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Patients seeking expert care in a supportive environment will find the university's program to be a trusted choice for mesothelioma diagnosis and management, driven by a focus on personalized treatment and ongoing medical advances.