Have Thyroid Surgery With Us
The Clayman Thyroid Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa, Florida
Become a Patient
The Clayman Thyroid Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa, Florida
Patients with thyroid disease and thyroid cancer travel from around the globe to have
thyroid surgery with the Clayman Thyroid Center team at the Hospital for Endocrine
Surgery in Tampa, Florida. Our surgeons perform thyroid surgery exclusively and are the
highest volume thyroid surgeons in the country, performing about 2,000 thyroid
surgeries per year.
This page will detail everything you need to know about becoming a patient and
scheduling your thyroid surgery with us.
When you are ready, fill out the 'new patient form' at the link below and we will be in
touch with you shortly.
New Patient Form
Why choose the Clayman Thyroid Center for your thyroid surgery?
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Unparalleled Thyroid Surgical Experience
The Clayman Thyroid Center performs more thyroid operations each week than
most major U.S. universities and hospitals perform in a year. Our surgeons
perform about 2,000 thyroid operations annually, with about 20% of those
representing re-operations from patients not cured at another hospital. It is very well known that
surgical volume and experience is directly tied to higher cancer cure rates and lower postoperative problems. Combined, our surgeons have performed more than 40,000 thyroid operations--thats a lot more than the Mayo Clinic or any other US hospital.
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World-Renowned Thyroid Surgeons
We are recognized world-wide as THE place to go for thyroid surgery to get a
cure without a complication. We have 4 surgeons who have performed thyroid
surgery exclusively for their entire career. The team is led by Dr. Gary Clayman,
the most experienced thyroid surgeon in the world, performing more than 600
thyroid operations per year for over 26 years on patients ranging from 6 months
to over 100 years old. He was the Chief of Head and Neck Endocrine Surgery at
MD Anderson for 17 years before founding the Clayman Thyroid Center in
2016. He and his team operate exclusively at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery.
Read more about the other expert, very high volume thyroid surgeons below.
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Highest Cure Rates for Thyroid Cancer
Our approach to thyroid surgery at the Clayman Thyroid Center is the “best
approach” and certainly the way we would have our own thyroid operation
performed. There is never a student, resident or fellow involved in your
operation. We operate as a team and thus every patient has the benefit of having
two of the best thyroid surgeons in their operation. Our thyroid surgeons
perform only thyroid operations. They do not put tubes in kid’s ears, or remove
your uncle’s gallbladder. Extreme thyroid-only specialization leads to the highest
cure rates and lowest complication rates ever published for thyroid cancers and
other thyroid diseases.
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Lowest Complication Rates for Thyroid Surgery
We have the lowest published complication rates for thyroid operations including thyroid cancer and thyroid goiter surgery. Our very low complication rates are due to extremely high experience of surgeons who perform thyroid surgery exclusively, and through the use of the most advanced technologies. We pioneered the use of amniotic membrane on vocal cord nerves to provide stem cells and growth facters directly to the nerve which has been shown to decrease vocal cord problems by more than 50%. The use of amniotic membrane and a decreased risk of vocal cord problems is why many people chose to have surgery with us.
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Customized Operation for Every Patient
Every patient has a treatment plan that is customized for them, taking into
consideration every aspect of their thyroid problem, including their age, tumor
size, the type of cancer (if cancer present), the presence of any lymph nodes in
the neck, and even your concern about a neck scar. After a high-resolution
ultrasound where your thyroid and lymph nodes are mapped, the surgeons work
together to provide you with the best treatment option aimed at giving the best
outcome possible. Some will require an extensive operation to cure a recurrent
cancer, while others will be offered a robotic operation that leaves no neck scar
at all. Your best outcome is our highest priority which can't be obtained with a one-size-fits-all approach used by low-volume surgeons.
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Thyroid Surgery "Dream Team"
The four dedicated thyroid surgeons at the Clayman Thyroid Center have more
experience with thyroid cancer and thyroid disease than anyone else in the
country—by far. All of our surgeons are fellowship trained in endocrine surgery
and have dedicated their surgical careers to one thing: diseases of the thyroid
gland. All trained at the best surgical centers before coming to Tampa to work
alongside Dr. Clayman. All are members of all the most important societies and
have been chosen as "top doctors" and "top surgeons" consistently over the
years. Our surgeons at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery have more than 10,000
5-star ratings online. Treating patients like a member of our own family is always
our number 1 goal, and our promise to you.
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Scarless Robotic Thyroid Surgery Option
We perform more scarless robotic thyroid operations than any hospital in the US. Our director of scarless thyroid surgery is Dr Eyas Alkhalili who learned the technique in Korea where it was invented. This technique allows some patients to have their thyroid gland (and even some cancers) removed using a single incision in the arm-pit, avoiding a neck scar completely. Our customized approach to every patient allows us to recommend the best thyroid surgery option for every patient. Learn more about
scarless robotic thyroid surgery.
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Dedicated Endocrine Surgery Hospital
One of the most important factors that sets us apart from all other surgeons is
that we operate in a hospital that was designed for thyroid surgery. The Hospital
for Endocrine Surgery opened in Tampa, Florida in January 2022. This specialized
hospital treats only thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal patients, meaning you will
benefit from an extremely focused care team including anesthesia and nursing
staff that are dedicated to curing the disease you have. A dedicated endocrine
surgery hospital means you have much less chance of being exposed to
contagious patients or the nasty bacteria that are often prevalent in large
hospitals. This brand-new, state-of-the-art hospital features the most advanced
equipment, surgical techniques and highly experienced teams caring for you
every step of the way. Within 6 months of opening, the hospital has a national
ranking in the top 99.5% in every metric measured.
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Highest Published Thyroid Surgeons
The surgeons at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery have published over 1000
peer-reviewed articles in the medical literature, with Drs Clayman, Norman, and
Carling having over 250 publications each. Dr Clayman is the author of "the" textbook of head and neck surgery that is used by surgery residents around the world. Our surgeons present regularly at the
largest national and international endocrine meetings and have been executives
in the biggest endocrine societies. We have learned from our extensive
experience, and we publish our results and share our knowledge.
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VIP Hotel with Airport and Hospital Transfer
Our patients enjoy a brand new endocrine hospital, and they also enjoy the VIP service at our 5 partner hotels, one of which is the highest rated hotel on Trip Advisor in the Tampa Bay area. Our hotel partners have worked with us for 15 years and have taken care of more than 20,000 of our patients. They will provide airport transfers for you, and your trip to and from the hospital will be in our new hospital sprinter van limo. If you stay at one of our
partner hotels, you won't need a rental car at all.
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Peace of Mind
One of the most common answers we get when we ask patients why they
traveled so far to have thyroid surgery with us is: “peace of mind”. When faced
with an operation that can have very bad complications, or faced with the need
for an operation to cure a thyroid cancer, patients tell us that they have peace of
mind when they decide to come here. Knowing that they will have the most
experienced thyroid surgeons in the world operating on them as a team, within a
brand-new specialty hospital provides a sense of calm reassurance. And they
sleep well. We provide a service and a level of expertise that is not available
anywhere else in the world and that is why we are so busy, and our patients have
peace of mind.
What is the step-by-step process to becoming a patient?
It usually takes about just a few weeks from submitting your new patient form to having
your thyroid operation with the world’s best and most experienced thyroid surgery team.
There are three simple steps in the process:
Step 1: Become a Patient
Start by filling out and submitting our secure New Patient Form. One of our Patient Care
Coordinators will connect with you to gather your medical records, review your
information, and answer any initial questions. They’ll help prepare your chart for our
surgeons to review and ensure we have everything needed to move forward.
Step 2: Intro Call With Surgeon
After your chart is reviewed, you’ll have a phone consultation with one of our expert
thyroid surgeons. Together, you’ll discuss your diagnosis, explore treatment options,
and decide if surgery is needed. Bring your questions so you feel fully prepared and
confident in your next steps. This step prevents you from making an unnecessary trip to
Tampa.
Step 3: Schedule Your Procedure
If surgery is recommended, we schedule your evaluation and operation at the Hospital
for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa. Most traveling patients complete their pre-op
evaluation and surgery in just one visit. Our team can also assist with hotel
accommodations and travel planning to make your trip seamless.
What will thyroid surgery cost me?
There are three simple steps in our process—consultation, evaluation, and surgery. Each step is designed to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis, the right treatment plan, and the best possible outcome. Here’s what to expect:
1) Consultation With an Expert Surgeon
Your journey begins with a consultation from one of our world-renowned thyroid surgeons. After reviewing your clinical records, your surgeon will discuss your medical condition, answer questions, and provide a detailed treatment recommendation. You’ll also receive a 5–10 page PDF summary of the consultation with educational materials and next steps.
This consultation can take place in person at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa, or by phone for patients who are further away.
There is no fee associated with the initial consultation.
2) Evaluation at the hospital prior to surgery
If surgery is recommended, the next step is an in-person evaluation at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery. This evaluation includes a high-resolution ultrasound performed by our expert imaging team, ay additional necessary testing such as a biosy, and an in-person consultation with your surgeon to finalize the surgical plan,
This evaluation ensures we have a precise understanding of your condition and allows us to tailor your surgery for the best possible outcome. Most insurance plans cover this evaluation. You will have an understanding of any out of pocket costs prior to traveling to the hospital for your evaluation.
3) The thyroid operation
We are in-network with most major health plans (and many smaller ones), meaning the operation itself is typically covered by insurance.
For patients paying out of pocket, our all-inclusive pricing remains very affordable. While we do not publish pricing online, you can reach out to our billing manager to discuss costs based on your diagnosis and surgical needs.
The quoted price covers everything except travel and hotel (if necessary), including surgeon fees and chart preparation, anesthesia and anesthesiologist, hospital fees, laboratory work, operating room, and recovery room fees.
Thyroid Surgery FAQs
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Do you take my insurance?
We take all major insurance plans and most minor insurance plans. We are
preferred providers for the Blues, United, Cigna, Aetna, and dozens of others. We
work with insurance companies from other states every day. We take Medicare
and perform more than 10 times more Medicare operations than any other
hospital*. Medicare will pay for all consults and the operation. Our insurance
specialists will tell you prior to your operation how much your deductibles are
and any other potential costs.
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What are your cure rates for thyroid cancer?
Although we specialize in all forms of thyroid surgery, we perform more thyroid cancer surgery than any other surgeons in the US (and probably the world).
Because of the techniques we use at all stages of your care (from the ultrasound
and lymph node mapping to the operation performed) we have the highest cure
rates ever published in the medical literature (footnote). Our goal is to cure you
with your first operation and provide you with the peace of mind that you can’t
get at other institutions. This is why we don’t have residents and students helping
with your cancer—because we wouldn’t want them doing our thyroid cancer
operation either.
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Do you perform surgery for thyroid goiters?
Yes! In fact, one of our surgeons, Dr Rashmi Roy has a world-wide reputation as
the best thyroid goiter surgeon. She has her own YouTube channel
“Goiter Guru”
that shows many of her cases—some are amazing! People travel from all over the
globe to have Dr Roy remove their goiter—often when other surgeons have told
the patient that it can’t be done, or that they need to split their chest open to get
it out. This just isn’t true and Dr Roy is famous for her expertise.
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Will I need a rental car in Tampa?
If you stay at one of our
partner hotels, you will not need a rental car. They will
provide transportation to and from the airport, and they will take you to the
hospital and pick you up in the very nice “Hospital for Endocrine Surgery Sprinter
Van”. The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is only 4 miles from the Tampa
International Airport and the hotels are adjacent to the airport too. Our hotels
are the highest rated in Tampa Bay on Trip Advisor. Stay in our partner hotels and
don’t worry about a rental car.
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What type of anesthesia is used?
We use general anesthesia, but because our anesthesia team has been with us
for many years, we use very quick acting anesthesia drugs that are very well
tolerated. This has significant benefits because it is short acting allowing many
patients with smaller operations (like one side of the thyroid) to go home within
a few hours of surgery.
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How quickly can you get me in for surgery?
We perform about 45 thyroid operations every week, Monday through
Wednesday and some Thursdays, so getting you on our schedule is easy—the
slow part is almost always getting your records to us. Our goal is to provide every
patient with a consultation within 48 hours of all of their medical records being
received at our office. The biggest delay is almost always getting your
records—so help us out and we can get you in the operating room within a week
or two.
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How long will I be in the hospital?
About 75% of our thyroid patients spend the night in the hospital. Many patients
who have only half of their thyroid removed will leave a few hours after the
operation. Patients who are having a larger cancer operation or removal of a
goiter typically spend one night in the hospital, going home the next morning.
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I have recurrent thyroid cancer
Dr Clayman is the highest-volume thyroid surgeon in the world for patients who
need a second (or third) operation for thyroid cancer that has come back. This
was his specialty at MD Anderson for 17 years and his reputation dictates that
more than half of the operations he performs every day are on people who had a
previous thyroid cancer operation somewhere else previously. We are experts at
this and people travel from around the world to have their second or third thyroid cancer operation with us. Our goal is still to provide you with a cure--and we usually do!
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What is Robotic Scarless Thyroid Surgery?
Robotic thyroid surgery is a brand-new way to remove the thyroid using the
Davinci Operating Robot. The incisions are in the arm-pits and thus there is no
scar in the neck at all. We perform more robotic scarless thyroid operations than
any hospital in the US. All of our patients have a customized surgical treatment
plan made specifically for them, thus if robotic scarless surgery is an option for
you we will tell you all about it. You can learn more on
this page.
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Can I travel alone?
Yes, you can come have thyroid surgery with us by yourself. Most people travel
with a family member or a friend—and they can be with you for most of the pre-
op and post-op time. But yes, we have taken care of many people who have
come for surgery by themselves. We understand how to do this and will take
great care of you.
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Can my family stay at the hospital while I am in surgery?
Yes! The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery does not have a medical ward so there
are no COVID patients. Your family is welcome to come and can be with you
before and after the operation. The cafeteria is open to them for free food and
we even have private offices for them to work if they need quiet.
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Who will be my surgeon?
We have the most experienced thyroid surgeons in the world, and every thyroid
operation has at least 2 surgeons participating and agreeing on the findings prior
to your operation being completed. You will typically (but not always) be
operated on by the surgeon who you consulted with you, but he or she will
always have another surgeon with them. We have found that working in teams
provides the best cure rates and the lowest chance of a poor outcome--which is
why you will have more than one surgeon. You will meet your surgeon team the
morning of surgery and have plenty of time to ask questions.
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Where should I stay near the hospital?
We have
5 partner hotels that have taken care of more than 10,000 of our
patients. They are adjacent to the airport and these hotels will provide all the
transportation you need. You don’t need a rental car if you stay in one of our
partner hotels. The newest Trip Advisor (2022) has our hotels rated the number 1
hotel in Tampa Bay out of 293 rated hotels.
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When can I go home after thyroid surgery?
About 25% of our patients leave the hospital after their thyroid surgery but they
should stay in town for another day. About 75% have a more extensive operation
and they will spend one night in the hospital, leaving in the morning. These
patients are often invited to spend one more day in Tampa, but this is all
dependent on the patient and their situation. We encourage patients not to travel
until at least 48 hours following their thyroid operation. Our team will communicate with
you about your specific needs. Your safety is our highest concerns. Our surgeons
have performed well over 70,000 endocrine operations and have the experience
to keep you safe.
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Do I need a referral to schedule my surgeon consult?
You do not need a referral to schedule a consult with us. Medicare does not
require any referral. We are in-network for all major insurers. If you have an
HMO, you will need a referral for surgery. Our office will help you figure this out.
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Will I have surgery residents and fellows operating on me?
No. Although many universities have medical students, residents and fellows
learning how to perform thyroid surgery, we don't do that. Here, we treat our
patients just like we want treated -- and that means you get expert surgeons
only, not somebody learning how to perform thyroid surgery. All our patients
have at least 2 of the most experienced surgeons in the world in your operation
agreeing on the findings--not one surgeon, and zero residents or fellows.
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What if I also have a parathyroid problem?
At the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery we also have the world’s highest volume
parathyroid surgeons from the Norman Parathyroid Center. We work with them daily and consult with them on all
thyroid patients who may have high calcium or other concerns about a bad
parathyroid gland or hyperparathyroidism.
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Do you operate at Tampa General Hospital anymore?
No, not at all. Although Tampa General Hospital continues to advertise the
reputation we built there for 25 years, don't be confused -- we do not operate at
TGH anymore. We left and took the entire "Thyroid and Parathyroid Institute"
with us in 2019 and moved the best operating room staff and the top 13
surgeons to the brand-new Hospital for Endocrine Surgery which is closer to the
Tampa airport. Moving our Thyroid and Parathyroid Institute to the brand-new Hospital
for Endocrine Surgery was great for us, and for you!
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More about doctor Rashmi Roy, MD, FACS
Dr. Rashmi Roy is unquestionably one of the most experienced thyroid surgeons in the
US. She performs more thyroid surgery and thyroid cancer operations than any other
surgeon in the country. She was born and raised in Long Island, New York. She attended
The Johns Hopkins University and then received her medical degree from New York
Medical College in 2005. She went on to complete a 5-year residency in General Surgery
at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia University Medical Center and then an
endocrine surgery fellowship at Johns Hopkins. She was chief of endocrine surgery at
Princeton before being recruited to join our team in 2018. Her expertise is thyroid
cancer and goiters, and is the world’s highest volume goiter surgeon. See her YouTube
channel
Goiter Guru.
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More about doctor Nate Walsh, MD, FACS
Dr. Nate Walsh has a passion for cutting edge thyroid surgery and is an exquisitely
talented and experienced thyroid surgeon and is highly sought to provide
excellence in thyroid surgical care for patients. He is the third highest volume
thyroid surgeon in the US, trailing only Dr Clayman and Roy. He is a graduate of
the University of Florida, did his surgery training and endocrine surgery training
at the Medical College of Georgia before being recruited to join our team in
Tampa. He is a remarkable surgeon with a remarkable bedside manner.
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More about Eyas Alkhalili, MD, MBBS, FACS
Dr. Eyas Alkhalili, MBBS, FACS, is a Thyroid Surgeon at the Clayman Thyroid Center & Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa, specializing in robotic thyroid surgery with no visible neck scars. He trained in Korea, completed his general surgery residency at the University of New Mexico, and an Endocrine Surgery Fellowship at Johns Hopkins. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Texas Tech, focusing on thyroid surgery and medical education. Board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, he is fluent in Arabic, English, and Spanish. Outside of medicine, he enjoys exercising, music, cooking, and time with family.
Ready to schedule your consultation with one of our thyroid surgeons?
The first step in the process of becoming a patient is filling out your new patient form. When the form is completed, you will get an email from your patient coordinator within 1-2 business days to set up your second opinion consultation. During this consultation, which can be over the phone or in-person at our Tampa office, you and your surgeon will discuss the details of your case.
Step One: New Patient Form
