She specializes in treating and diagnosing patients with thoracic cancers, including lung, trachea, bronchi, esophageal and pleural cancers. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is one of her areas of expertise, both in treating patients and in research. Dr. Rusch has spent more than 25 years working as a thoracic surgeon and was one of the first women board certified in this surgical specialty. She is currently the Miner Family Chair in Intrathoracic Cancers and the Vice Chair for Clinical Research in the department of surgery.