In 2004, Vladimir A. Porhanov took on the role of the Chief Physician at the largest medical institution in the Kuban: Ochapovsky Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 with the incorporated Thoracic Surgery Center. Thanks to his wide experience in scientific, educational, organizational, and methodological work, his personal engagement, and qualified staff of the hospital, Ochapovsky Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 was granted a status of the scientific research institute in 2014.

Under the guidance and with the direct involvement of Vladimir A. Porhanov, surgeons of the Krasnodar Region began to perform unique tracheal and bronchial reconstructions via different approaches but mostly using sternotomy enhanced by Porhanov. He set up the Regional Bronchology Service, as well as anesthesiology and intensive care services for patients with pulmonary diseases.

Wide surgical experience and considerable research of Vladimir A. Porhanov were reflected in his doctoral thesis: Thoracoscopic and Video-Assisted Thoracic Lung and Mediastinum Surgery (1996). It was the first landmark work on thoracic surgery in Russia that laid the foundation for further development of thoracic surgery. At present, this approach is integrated into the national thoracic surgery service.

Vladimir A. Porhanov is diligently engaged in training and educational activities. Since 1997, he has been serving as the Head of the Oncology Department with the Thoracic Surgery Course at the Kuban State Medical University. The Department offers both higher education programs and additional professional training programs for thoracic surgeons and oncologists under principles of continuing professional education.

Vladimir A. Porhanov serves on editorial boards of Russian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Russian Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, and Pirogov Russian Journal of Surgery and on editorial councils of Russian Journal of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Russian Journal of Endovascular Surgery, Medical Alliance, Transplantologiya. The Russian Journal of Transplantation, and Russian Sklifosovsky Journal of Emergency Medical Care.

In 2011, Vladimir A. Porhanov was elected a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in the field of thoracic surgery. Afterward, he researched a wide range of topics at a higher methodological level. The professor is continuously improving the work of the regional transplantation service, explores the issues of multiple organ transplant.

As a member of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, European Respiratory Society, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, and International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, Vladimir A. Porhanov supports international cooperation on the topical issues of thoracic surgery.

Scientific Research Institute – Ochapovsky Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 comprises 14 scientific divisions, employing 22 doctors of medical sciences, 118 candidates of medical sciences, 2 candidates of biological sciences, 1 candidate of pharmaceutical sciences, and 1 candidate of psychological sciences and functions as the clinical base for departments of the Kuban State Medical University and the Krasnodar Basic Medical College.

Due to his rich experience in performing one-stage heart and lung procedures Vladimir A. Porhanov is considered a leader in this field in the Russian Federation. He made a significant contribution to research and development of new methods for diagnosing and treating thoracic diseases and came up with effective solutions to many important theoretical and practical problems in lung surgery.

Vladimir A. Porhanov performed 5 successful orthotopic lung transplants. The institution-based transplantation service performed more than 600 organ transplants. He is a pioneer of surgery for childhood tuberculosis and tracheal surgery in the Krasnodar Region. The Regenerative Medicine Laboratory of the Scientific Research Institute – Ochapovsky Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 is the first in Russia to work in the field of thoracic surgery.

In 2016, Vladimir A. Porhanov became the first Kuban citizen who became the Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In 2017, Vladimir A. Porhanov was awarded the title of the Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation.

In 2019, Vladimir A. Porhanov was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the Field of Science and Engineering.