Research Team

Sora Ely, MD

Assistant Professor of Surgery
Director, Incidental Lung Nodule Program

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Sora Ely, MD is a thoracic surgeon who treats benign and malignant pathologies of the chest and foregut. She completed her medical degree at the Tulane University School of Medicine, her General Surgery residency at UCSF East Bay, and her Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the Yale School of Medicine. She is board-certified in General Surgery and in Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Ely’s clinical interests include lung cancer screening, treatment of lung and esophageal cancer, treatment of mediastinal masses including thymoma, and benign foregut surgery including hiatal hernia. She offers both laparoscopic/thoracoscopic and robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgical techniques for her patients. She was selected by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery for their Thoracic Surgical Robotics Fellowship and completed the advanced coursework during her training at Yale.

Dr. Ely’s research focuses on practice improvement and clinical outcomes in thoracic surgery. Whether treating cancer or benign disease, she believes in a team-based and patient-centered approach to provide the best care, and is committed to treating every patient like a family member.

Prashanth Ashok Kumar, MD, FACP

Assistant Professor of Medicine

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Dr. Prashanth Ashok Kumar is a Board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist who specializes in thoracic oncology, neuro-oncology, and sarcomas. He also manages patients with a wide variety of cancers and blood disorders. After receiving his medical degree from P.S.G. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in India, he completed a residency program in internal medicine at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. Following his interest in specialty training, Dr. Ashok Kumar began a three-year fellowship in hematology-oncology at State University of New York, Upstate Medical College, Syracuse, NY. He served as the chief fellow for his program from 2023-2024 and garnered significant appreciation for developing the fellowship. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is developing a committee for International Medical Graduates.

Dr. Ashok Kumar has several publications, abstracts, case reposts, and presentations in various platforms and peer-reviewed indexed journals. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology and is a member of multiple professional societies. His utmost priority is to provide the best care for his patients. He also loves animals and enjoys traveling and hiking.

Keith Mortman, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery | Director, Thoracic Surgery

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Keith Mortman, MD, FACS, FCCP is board-certified in thoracic surgery. He is director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and an associate professor with The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

He attended medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. He completed two residencies, one at the Washington Hospital Center in General Surgery and the other at Montefiore Medical Center in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Following his residency, he completed a fellowship in Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Prior to joining the The GW Medical Faculty Associates (GW MFA), Dr. Mortman was an associate professor at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He also served as director of Thoracic Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, as well as, director of Thoracic Oncology of the Washington Cancer Institute.

Dr. Mortman specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery including robotic surgery. His particular area of clinical and research interests include the treatment of lung and esophageal cancer, the treatment of mediastinal masses and cysts, and the treatment of hyperhidrosis, achalasia, and complex pleural space disease.

Palmar Hyperhidrosis (excessively sweaty palms) can be cured by a procedure called Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy. It is performed on an outpatient basis with no overnight stay and is typically completed in less than 30 minutes. It is performed under general anesthesia and patients are completely asleep. The procedure is performed through two tiny incisions under each arm, requiring no bandages when healing. Typically, there is only minimal discomfort and most patients resume normal activities in 48 hours. The results are immediate and permanent. The procedure does not need to be repeated like other forms of treatments, patients wake up with dry hands. It is extremely effective, 99% of patients will achieve optimal results. Schedule a consult today for dry hands tomorrow. Dr. Mortman has authored or co-authored numerous manuscripts and book chapters, and he has presented at various local, regional, national, and international meetings. Additionally, he has received multiple teaching awards from the surgery residents and medical students that he educates regularly.

Dr. Mortman is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and the General Thoracic Surgical Club.