CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT
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One trusted destination. Four clear pathways.
Find the information, care pathway or collaboration that matches why you are here today.
I am a patient or family member
Explore heart, lung and AFib care, second opinions, surgical preparation and recovery.
I am a referring clinician
Review referral criteria, required records and options for timely physician-to-physician coordination.
I represent a health system or industry
Explore cardiothoracic quality transformation, program development, alignment and education.
I want to improve my longevity
Start with A1C, blood pressure,cholesterol, lifestyle and age-appropriate screening we call the "ABCs"
CLINICAL EXPERTISE
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Advanced care when the decision—and the details—matter.
Every recommendation begins with an accurate diagnosis, a careful review of alternatives and an individualized discussion of benefits, personalized risks and recovery.
HEART
Heart Surgery
Coronary bypass, valve repair and replacement, aortic surgery, heart-failure surgery and second opinions.
LUNG
Lung & Thoracic Surgery
Robotic and minimally invasive care for lung, esophageal, thymic and mediastinal disease.
RHYTHM
AFib & Rhythm Surgery
Surgical ablation, Hybrid Convergent evaluation and left atrial appendage management within a team-based care.
SECOND OPINION
Complex Second Opinions
Structured review of imaging, testing, treatment options and the questions to ask before proceeding.
Care is individualized. Not every procedure is appropriate for every patient.
EXPERIENCE, SCIENCE & LEADERSHIP
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Why patients and teams choose Dr. Beckles.
Dr. Daniel L. Beckles is a double-board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, physician-executive, surgeon-scientist and educator whose career spans advanced surgery, transplantation, program leadership and cardiovascular research.
Board certified in Surgery (General) and Thoracic (Cardiac and Thoracic) Surgery
Advanced cardiac, thoracic and transplant experience
Leadership across major academic and regional programs
Peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters and U.S. patents
Teaching and mentorship across the healthcare continuum up to the clinical professor level
Prevention-first focus on recovery, healthspan, that adds to quality of life and longevity
THE ABCDES LONGEVITY FRAMEWORK
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Know the numbers that shape your healthspan.
A practical framework for measuring, tracking and improving risk across every decade of adult life.
A
A1c
Know your blood-sugar trajectory and metabolic risk.
B
Blood Pressure
Measure correctly and address persistent elevation.
C
Cholesterol
Understand LDL, triglyceride sand additional risk markers.
D
Diet
Build a sustainable pattern centered on minimally processed foods.
E
Exercise
Protect strength, mobility, fitness and independence.
S
Screen . Sleep . Stress
Close prevention gaps and stop smoking or vaping.
FREE PATIENT RESOURCES
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Useful tools for the decision in front of you.
Download practical checklists that help you organize information, prepare questions and have a more productive conversation with your healthcare team.
PATIENT GUIDE
Preparing for Heart or Lung Surgery
Records, medications, nutrition, mobility, breathing preparation, home planning and questions to ask.
DECISION GUIDE
Heart & Lung Second-Opinion Checklist
Organize imaging, reports, pathology, prior treatmentsand the decisions that need clarification.
PREVENTION TOOL
Know Your 3s Health Card
Record A1C, blood pressure, cholesterol, waist measurement and your next screening priorities.
New diagnosis?
Start with condition-specific education for heart, lung or AFib concerns.
Surgery recommended?
Review the procedure, alternatives, risks, recovery and second-opinion needs
Early Lung Cancer Detection, In Just 5 Minutes
Lung cancer screening that can save your life.
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer—but when found early through a low-dose CT scan, it is often highly treatable. Lung screen makes it fast, comfortable, and accessible to know your risk and act early.
Typical visit time: under 30 minutes. Scan time: about 5 minutes.
Check your eligibility in 60 seconds
Answer a few quick questions and our team will confirm whether lung cancer screening is right for you.
Typical response time: 1 business day or less.
LUNG CANCER IS THE DEADLIEST CANCER
Lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer.
Every year, lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined. The reason is simple: most lung cancers are discovered late—after they have already spread.
Breast Cancer
Fewer deaths than lung cancer alone.
Prostate Cancer
Fewer deaths than lung cancer alone.
Colon Cancer
Fewer deaths than lung cancer alone.
But when lung cancer is detected early—before it spreads—survival rates increase dramatically.
Why screening changes everything.
Most lung cancers are found only after symptoms like cough, chest pain, or weight loss appear. By then, the disease is often advanced and more difficult to treat.
A low-dose CT scan can find small lung nodules before they cause symptoms—often when lung cancer is still curable.
- 5-minute, non-invasive scan
- No needles, no contrast dye, no prep
- Recommended for high-risk patients
- Often covered at no cost if you qualify
Ready to see if screening is right for you?
lung screen combines advanced imaging with a streamlined visit, so you can get answers quickly and confidently.
No obligation. Our team will help you understand your options.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR LUNG SCREENING
You may qualify if you:
- are 50 to 80 years old
- currently smoke OR previously smoked
- have a 20 pack-year smoking history
- currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years
If you meet these criteria, lung screening is recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. For many patients, this screening is covered by insurance.
Not sure if you qualify? Answer a few quick questions and our team will confirm whether lung cancer screening is right for you.
See if I qualify
Share a few details and we will review your risk profile and coverage options.
Typical response time: 1 business day or less.
WHAT IS A LOW-DOSE CT SCAN
A simple scan with powerful insight.
A low-dose CT lung screening scan:
- takes about 5 minutes
- uses low radiation
- requires no IVs or injections
- requires no contrast dye
The scan looks for small lung nodules that may represent early lung cancer. When found early, lung cancer can often be treated successfully.
Our lung screening protocol is specifically designed to maximize early detection while minimizing radiation exposure. You lie comfortably on the table, hold your breath for a few seconds, and the scan is complete.
Low-dose CT lung scan visualization
See inside the lungs in seconds.
Your images are reviewed by experienced lung specialists who know how to distinguish harmless findings from nodules that need closer follow-up.
A TWO-FOR-ONE SCREENING OPPORTUNITY
Your lung scan can reveal more than lung cancer.
A CT scan of the chest can also reveal:
- lung nodules
- early lung cancer
- emphysema
- and sometimes calcium in the coronary arteries
That means your scan may also provide insight into heart disease risk. Two of the leading causes of death — lung cancer and heart disease — can sometimes be detected with the same imaging.
Lung & Heart Longevity Insight
Your lung screening is more than a single test. It can become the foundation of a comprehensive longevity plan that looks at both lung and heart health.
Schedule My Lung Scan
Reserve a time for your low-dose CT lung screening. Our team will review your eligibility and coverage before your visit.
Most visits take less than 30 minutes.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
The cost of screening vs the cost of late cancer.
Early detection is almost always easier, less invasive, and less costly than treating advanced lung cancer.
Free Lung Screening
5 Minute Scan · Quick outpatient visit · No downtime
- Quick outpatient visit
- No downtime
- Often covered at no cost
- Detect cancer when it is small and treatable
Advanced Lung Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy · Radiation · Hospitalization · Loss of life
When lung cancer is discovered late, treatment often involves:
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
- complex surgery
- prolonged hospital care
But when lung cancer is detected early, many patients can be treated with minimally invasive surgery. Early detection saves lives.
ROBOTIC LUNG SURGERY
Advanced robotic surgery for early lung cancer.
When lung cancer is detected early, surgery may be the best treatment. Using robotic surgical technology, many lung operations can be performed through small incisions rather than a large open chest incision.
- smaller incisions
- less pain
- faster recovery
- shorter hospital stays
- better visualization for precise lymph node removal
- some patients may go home the day after surgery
Robotic Thoracic Surgery
Robotic thoracic surgery allows surgeons to perform complex lung operations with remarkable precision. Using robotic technology, surgeons can operate through tiny incisions with enhanced visualization and control.
Advanced Lung Care Paths
From minimally invasive surgery to corporate and international programs, the Gulf Coast Lung & Longevity Institute offers dedicated pathways for every type of patient.
Robotic Thoracic Surgery
Precision surgery through small incisions for early lung cancer.
VATS Surgery
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer and other conditions.
Corporate Lung Screening
Protect the workforce that powers your company with on-site or coordinated programs.
International Patients
Second opinions and advanced lung care from anywhere in the world.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY LUNG CANCER CENTER
A team focused on your best possible outcome.
Patients receive care from a coordinated team including:
- thoracic surgeons
- medical oncologists
- radiation oncologists
- pulmonologists
- radiologists
- pathologists
This team-based approach helps ensure every patient receives the best possible treatment strategy—tailored to their stage of disease, overall health, and personal goals.
Next Steps
1. Check your eligibility for low-dose CT lung screening.
2. Schedule your scan at a time that works for you.
3. Review results with our lung specialists and plan next steps.
Ready to take the 5-minute step that could save your life?
Our lung screening team at the Gulf Coast Lung & Longevity Institute is here to guide you from eligibility check to results—and beyond, if you need treatment.
- Evidence-based screening protocols
- Advanced imaging and robotic surgery options
- Multidisciplinary team review of complex cases
- Support for corporate and international patients
Schedule My Lung Screen
Tell us how to reach you and when you would like to come in. We will confirm your eligibility, insurance coverage, and appointment time.
Most patients are scheduled within a few business days.