Nicholas D LeBlanc, MDThoracic Surgery in Nashville, TN

Nicholas D. LeBlanc, MD, is a heart surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville, Tennessee. As a thoracic surgeon, Dr. LeBlanc specializes in minimally invasive surgical approaches for complex benign and malignant diseases of the chest and upper gastrointestinal tract. He provides advanced surgical care using robotic, thoracoscopic (VATS), laparoscopic and open techniques to treat conditions affecting the esophagus, lungs, mediastinum, chest wall, pleura, diaphragm, stomach and trachea. Dr. LeBlanc treats patients ages 16 and older. He starts by listening to understand you and your health concerns, then Dr. LeBlanc works with you to create a personalized care plan.

Dr. LeBlanc's clinical interests focus on minimally invasive thoracic surgery and advanced endoscopic procedures for diseases of the esophagus and airway. He performs robotic, thoracoscopic and laparoscopic procedures as well as complex open surgery when needed for benign and cancerous conditions. His expertise includes surgical stabilization of rib fractures, complex chest wall reconstruction, and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, stomach and trachea.

In addition, Dr. LeBlanc performs advanced endoscopic procedures such as endoscopic resections (ESD, EMR and STER) for cancer and precancerous lesions, rigid bronchoscopy, lung and lymph node biopsies using Ion robotic bronchoscopy and EBUS, stent placement, ablation procedures, and specialized myotomy procedures including POEM for achalasia, Z-POEM for Zenker's diverticulum, C-POEM and G-POEM.

As one of our cardiovascular specialists, he is part of an integrated, national network of heart care specialists, sharing best practices and offering evaluation and treatment of the most complex heart conditions. With more than 14 years of experience, Dr. LeBlanc collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams across oncology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, interventional radiology and surgical specialties to care for patients with complex thoracic conditions. He believes patients should feel supported and know they have someone advocating for them throughout their care journey, especially when facing a cancer diagnosis or another complex surgical condition.

Dr. LeBlanc is a member of several professional organizations including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the General Thoracic Surgical Club, the Canadian Thoracic Society, the American Board of Surgery, the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and the Chest Wall Injury Society. He also serves as a reviewer for JTCVS Techniques and has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter related to thoracic surgery. In addition, he performed the first POEM, ESD and endoscopic Overstitch/X-tack closure procedures at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

When not caring for patients, Dr. LeBlanc enjoys traveling and horseback riding with his wife, Mary. He also enjoys caring for his many pets including horses, dogs and cats, training for triathlons, hiking, spending time outdoors and learning to fly fish.