Cardiology
Work Experience: 25 years
Dr. Carlos Mendoza is a renowned cardiologist with extensive experience in treating complex heart conditions. He completed his medical training at the University of El Salvador and pursued further specialization in interventional cardiology at Johns Hopkins University.
Throughout his 25-year career, Dr. Mendoza has performed over 5,000 cardiac procedures including angioplasties, stent placements, and pacemaker implantations. He pioneered the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in El Salvador, bringing cutting-edge treatment to patients who were previously considered inoperable.
Dr. Mendoza has received numerous awards including the National Medical Excellence Award in 2018. He currently serves as the head of cardiology at Hospital Diagnóstico and is actively involved in research on preventive cardiology strategies for the Central American population.
Pediatrics
Work Experience: 18 years
Dr. Ana Rivera is a highly respected pediatrician known for her compassionate care and expertise in childhood diseases. She graduated with honors from the Universidad de El Salvador and completed her residency at Boston Children's Hospital.
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases, Dr. Rivera has been instrumental in developing vaccination programs that have significantly reduced childhood mortality rates in rural areas of El Salvador. Her research on dengue fever management in children has been published in several international journals.
Beyond her clinical practice at Hospital de Niños Benjamín Bloom, Dr. Rivera volunteers with several NGOs providing medical care to underserved communities. She was recognized as Pediatrician of the Year by the Salvadoran Medical Association in 2020.
Neurosurgery
Work Experience: 22 years
Dr. Roberto Sánchez is a pioneer in neurosurgical techniques in Central America. After completing his medical degree in El Salvador, he trained at the Mayo Clinic where he specialized in minimally invasive spine surgery.
Dr. Sánchez has developed innovative approaches for treating herniated discs and spinal stenosis that reduce recovery time by 40% compared to traditional methods. He established the first comprehensive spine center in El Salvador at Hospital Rosales, which has become a regional referral center for complex neurological cases.
In addition to his surgical practice, Dr. Sánchez mentors young neurosurgeons through the Central American Neurosurgical Society. His work on brain tumor resection techniques earned him the International Neurosurgical Excellence Award in 2019.
Oncology
Work Experience: 15 years
Dr. María Elena Torres is a leading oncologist specializing in breast cancer treatment. She completed her fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center and returned to El Salvador to establish the country's first comprehensive breast cancer center.
Under her leadership, the center has implemented multidisciplinary approaches combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy tailored to each patient's genetic profile. Dr. Torres introduced genetic testing for BRCA mutations in El Salvador, allowing for early intervention in high-risk patients.
Her research focuses on disparities in cancer outcomes in Central America, and she has secured international funding to improve access to cancer screening in rural communities. Dr. Torres was named one of the "100 Most Influential Women in Medicine" by a regional healthcare publication in 2021.
Orthopedic Surgery
Work Experience: 20 years
Dr. José Luis Ramírez is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and joint replacement. After training at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, he returned to El Salvador to establish the Center for Orthopedic Excellence.
Dr. Ramírez has performed over 3,000 joint replacements with complication rates significantly below national averages. He developed a specialized rehabilitation protocol that has become the national standard for post-operative care. Many professional athletes from across Central America seek his expertise for sports-related injuries.
Beyond his surgical practice, Dr. Ramírez serves as the team physician for El Salvador's national soccer team and has implemented injury prevention programs for youth athletes. He holds several patents for orthopedic devices designed specifically for the Central American population.
Dermatology
Work Experience: 12 years
Dr. Sofia Hernández is a leading dermatologist specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She trained at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and completed a fellowship in dermatologic surgery at the University of Miami.
Known for her expertise in treating complex skin conditions in tropical climates, Dr. Hernández has developed protocols for managing fungal infections and sun-related skin damage prevalent in El Salvador. She introduced laser treatments for acne scarring and pigmentation disorders that were previously unavailable in the country.
Dr. Hernández runs the Dermatology Center of San Salvador and has trained numerous dermatologists throughout Central America. Her research on the effects of climate change on skin health has been presented at international conferences.
Gastroenterology
Work Experience: 17 years
Dr. Luis Fernando Cruz is a gastroenterologist renowned for his work in hepatology and advanced endoscopic procedures. After training at the Cleveland Clinic, he returned to establish the Digestive Health Institute at Hospital de la Mujer.
Specializing in liver diseases, Dr. Cruz has implemented screening programs for hepatitis B and C that have significantly reduced cirrhosis rates in high-risk populations. He pioneered endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and ERCP techniques in El Salvador, allowing for less invasive diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic and biliary diseases.
Dr. Cruz serves on the board of the Central American Gastroenterology Association and has published over 50 papers on digestive health in tropical environments. He was instrumental in developing national guidelines for colon cancer screening.
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Work Experience: 19 years
Dr. Patricia Villalobos is a highly respected OB/GYN specializing in high-risk pregnancies and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She completed her fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Villalobos established the country's first dedicated high-risk pregnancy unit, reducing maternal mortality by 35% in her region. She introduced laparoscopic hysterectomy techniques that reduced recovery times from 6 weeks to just 10 days for many patients.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Villalobos advocates for women's health education and has implemented community programs addressing teenage pregnancy and cervical cancer prevention. She received the National Healthcare Leadership Award in 2022.
Pulmonology
Work Experience: 14 years
Dr. Eduardo Morales is a pulmonologist specializing in critical care and sleep medicine. After training at Massachusetts General Hospital, he returned to El Salvador to establish the first comprehensive sleep disorders center in Central America.
Dr. Morales has been at the forefront of treating respiratory complications from tropical diseases like dengue and Zika virus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he developed protocols for ventilator management that were adopted nationwide, saving countless lives.
His research on the impact of air pollution on respiratory health in urban populations has influenced public health policies. Dr. Morales also serves as a professor at the Universidad de El Salvador, training the next generation of pulmonologists.
Endocrinology
Work Experience: 16 years
Dr. Gabriela Rivas is an endocrinologist specializing in diabetes and metabolic disorders. She completed her fellowship at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and established the Diabetes Care Center of El Salvador.
Dr. Rivas has implemented innovative diabetes management programs combining technology (continuous glucose monitoring) with culturally appropriate lifestyle interventions. Her work has shown a 40% reduction in diabetes complications among participants in her programs.
She has been recognized by the International Diabetes Federation for her contributions to diabetes care in developing countries. Dr. Rivas also researches the unique genetic factors affecting diabetes prevalence in Central American populations.
Plastic Surgery
Work Experience: 21 years
Dr. Jorge Arturo Meléndez is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. He trained at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and has been practicing in San Salvador since 2002.
Dr. Meléndez is particularly known for his work with burn victims and congenital deformity corrections. He established the first multidisciplinary cleft palate team in El Salvador, providing comprehensive care from infancy through adolescence.
His innovative techniques in microsurgery have enabled complex reconstructions previously unavailable in the region. Dr. Meléndez also volunteers with international medical missions, providing surgical care in rural areas throughout Central America.
Rheumatology
Work Experience: 13 years
Dr. Claudia Marroquín is a rheumatologist specializing in autoimmune diseases and connective tissue disorders. After completing her fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, she returned to establish the Rheumatology Center of El Salvador.
Dr. Marroquín has been instrumental in improving diagnosis and treatment of lupus in the country, reducing average diagnosis times from 3 years to 6 months through physician education programs. She introduced biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis that have dramatically improved patients' quality of life.
Her research focuses on the unique manifestations of autoimmune diseases in mestizo populations. Dr. Marroquín serves as the Central American representative to the Pan-American League of Rheumatology Associations.
Urology
Work Experience: 18 years
Dr. Raúl Antonio Gómez is a urologist specializing in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. He trained at the University of Southern California and brought the first robotic surgical system to El Salvador in 2015.
Dr. Gómez has performed over 1,000 robotic prostatectomies with outcomes comparable to leading centers in the United States. He established the country's first kidney stone prevention clinic, reducing recurrence rates by 60% through metabolic evaluation and targeted therapy.
His work in male reproductive health has included developing national guidelines for prostate cancer screening adapted to the Salvadoran population. Dr. Gómez also pioneered laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, enabling more living donor kidney transplants in the country.
Infectious Diseases
Work Experience: 15 years
Dr. Silvia Regina Orellana is an infectious disease specialist who trained at Emory University. She serves as the director of the National Institute of Tropical Medicine in San Salvador.
Dr. Orellana has been at the forefront of managing emerging infectious diseases in the region, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus outbreaks. Her research on antibiotic resistance patterns in Central America has guided national treatment protocols.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the national scientific advisory committee, helping shape El Salvador's effective response. Dr. Orellana also established a fellowship program to train infectious disease specialists throughout Central America.
Ophthalmology
Work Experience: 23 years
Dr. Francisco Javier Arévalo is a renowned ophthalmologist specializing in retinal diseases and vitreoretinal surgery. He completed his training at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Arévalo introduced modern retinal surgery techniques to El Salvador, including small-gauge vitrectomy and anti-VEGF treatments for macular degeneration. He established the country's first diabetic retinopathy screening program, preventing blindness in thousands of patients.
Recognized internationally for his work, Dr. Arévalo serves as the president of the Central American Retina Society. He has published over 100 scientific papers and textbooks on retinal diseases in tropical populations.
Neurology
Work Experience: 14 years
Dr. Marta Liliana Quintanilla is a neurologist specializing in stroke care and epilepsy. She trained at Massachusetts General Hospital and established the first comprehensive stroke center in El Salvador.
Dr. Quintanilla implemented a telestroke network connecting rural hospitals with specialists, reducing door-to-needle times for thrombolysis from 120 to 45 minutes. Her work has decreased stroke mortality by 28% nationwide.
She also developed an epilepsy surgery program offering hope to patients with medication-resistant seizures. Dr. Quintanilla's research on cerebrovascular disease in young Central American adults has challenged conventional understanding of stroke risk factors.
Hematology
Work Experience: 19 years
Dr. Ricardo Ernesto Flores is a hematologist specializing in blood cancers and stem cell transplantation. After training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, he established the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Hospital Nacional Rosales.
Dr. Flores performed the first successful allogeneic stem cell transplant in El Salvador in 2012. He has since built a program that achieves survival rates comparable to leading international centers at a fraction of the cost.
His research focuses on genetic mutations in hematologic malignancies unique to Central American populations. Dr. Flores also implemented a national cord blood banking initiative to improve transplant options for Salvadoran patients.
Psychiatry
Work Experience: 16 years
Dr. Veronica Beatriz Castro is a psychiatrist specializing in trauma and adolescent mental health. She trained at Harvard Medical School and returned to establish the Center for Mental Health and Wellbeing in San Salvador.
Dr. Castro has developed culturally adapted therapies for treating PTSD in populations affected by gang violence and migration trauma. Her school-based mental health program has been adopted by the Ministry of Education nationwide.
She pioneered the use of telepsychiatry to reach underserved rural communities. Dr. Castro's work on the mental health impacts of climate change in Central America has received international recognition.
Emergency Medicine
Work Experience: 12 years
Dr. Oscar Armando Reyes is an emergency medicine specialist who trained at the University of Chicago. He serves as the director of emergency services at Hospital de la Mujer and the national emergency medical services system.
Dr. Reyes implemented the first standardized emergency medicine residency program in El Salvador. He developed trauma protocols that reduced preventable deaths by 40% through systematic approaches to hemorrhage control and damage control resuscitation.
His work in disaster preparedness has positioned El Salvador as a regional leader in emergency response. Dr. Reyes also established a poison control center that handles over 15,000 cases annually.
Nephrology
Work Experience: 17 years
Dr. Laura Patricia Bonilla is a nephrologist specializing in chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) affecting agricultural workers. She trained at the University of California, San Francisco and leads the National Renal Health Program.
Dr. Bonilla's research has identified key risk factors for CKDu, leading to workplace interventions that have reduced incidence by 25% in high-risk areas. She established a network of dialysis centers bringing life-saving treatment to rural communities.
Her advocacy work led to national legislation protecting workers' kidney health. Dr. Bonilla also implemented a living donor kidney transplant program that has doubled transplant rates in El Salvador.
Otolaryngology
Work Experience: 20 years
Dr. Juan Carlos Miranda is an ENT specialist renowned for his expertise in head and neck cancer surgery. He trained at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and established the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Hospital Bloom.
Dr. Miranda introduced transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for throat cancer, preserving speech and swallowing function that would be lost with traditional approaches. His work with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer has changed screening protocols throughout Central America.
He developed a hearing restoration program that has provided cochlear implants to over 200 deaf children. Dr. Miranda also implemented a national program for early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in high-risk populations.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Work Experience: 11 years
Dr. Karla Alejandra Rivas is a physiatrist specializing in spinal cord injury and stroke rehabilitation. After training at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab), she returned to establish the National Rehabilitation Center.
Dr. Rivas introduced cutting-edge technologies like robotic gait training and virtual reality therapy to El Salvador. Her comprehensive approach has reduced average hospital stays for spinal cord injury patients by 30% while improving functional outcomes.
She developed community reintegration programs that have dramatically improved quality of life for people with disabilities. Dr. Rivas also advocates for accessibility legislation and serves on the national para-sports medical committee.
General Surgery
Work Experience: 25 years
Dr. Mario Antonio Herrera is a general surgeon specializing in trauma and acute care surgery. He trained at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and serves as chief of surgery at Hospital Rosales.
Dr. Herrera implemented the first acute care surgery model in Central America, reducing mortality from emergency general surgery cases by 22%. He pioneered damage control surgery techniques for abdominal trauma that have become standard throughout the region.
His work in surgical education has trained generations of surgeons through a rigorous residency program. Dr. Herrera also established a surgical simulation center to enhance training without risking patient safety.
Allergy & Immunology
Work Experience: 13 years
Dr. Ana Isabel Contreras is an allergist/immunologist who trained at Johns Hopkins University. She established the first comprehensive allergy center in El Salvador, offering advanced diagnostics and treatments previously unavailable in the country.
Dr. Contreras introduced subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy for environmental allergies, benefiting thousands of patients. Her research on tropical allergens has identified unique sensitization patterns in Central American populations.
She developed national guidelines for anaphylaxis management and food allergy prevention. Dr. Contreras also implemented school-based asthma programs that have reduced emergency visits by 40% in participating schools.
Radiation Oncology
Work Experience: 18 years
Dr. Roberto Carlos Henríquez is a radiation oncologist who trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He established the Radiation Oncology Department at Hospital de Diagnóstico, bringing advanced technologies like IMRT and brachytherapy to El Salvador.
Dr. Henríquez developed precision radiation protocols for cervical and prostate cancer that achieve excellent outcomes while minimizing side effects. His work on hypofractionated regimens has made treatment more accessible by reducing required visits from 35 to just 5 for certain cancers.
He implemented a national cancer registry that has improved treatment planning and resource allocation. Dr. Henríquez also established palliative radiation services to improve quality of life for terminal cancer patients.
Geriatrics
Work Experience: 15 years
Dr. Silvia Margarita Díaz is a geriatrician who trained at the University of California, Los Angeles. She established the first comprehensive geriatric assessment program in El Salvador at Hospital Nacional de Ancianos.
Dr. Díaz implemented a dementia care model that integrates medical treatment with family support and community resources. Her falls prevention program reduced hip fractures in seniors by 35% through home modifications and balance training.
She developed national guidelines for appropriate medication use in the elderly, reducing adverse drug events. Dr. Díaz also advocates for policies supporting aging in place and trains caregivers throughout Central America.
Pain Medicine
Work Experience: 14 years
Dr. José Alfredo Vásquez is an interventional pain specialist who trained at the Cleveland Clinic. He established the Pain Management Center at Hospital de la Mujer, offering advanced treatments for chronic pain conditions.
Dr. Vásquez introduced minimally invasive procedures like spinal cord stimulation and radiofrequency ablation that have helped thousands avoid opioid dependence. His multidisciplinary approach combines interventions with physical therapy and psychological support.
He developed national guidelines for responsible opioid prescribing and established one of the first medical cannabis research programs in Central America. Dr. Vásquez also treats phantom limb pain in amputee victims of gang violence.
Neonatology
Work Experience: 12 years
Dr. Luisa Fernanda Gutiérrez is a neonatologist who trained at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She leads the neonatal intensive care unit at Hospital de Niños Benjamín Bloom, the largest NICU in Central America.
Dr. Gutiérrez implemented evidence-based protocols that reduced neonatal mortality by 28% in her unit. She introduced therapeutic hypothermia for birth asphyxia and advanced respiratory support for premature infants, dramatically improving outcomes.
Her "kangaroo care" program for low birth weight babies has been adopted nationwide. Dr. Gutiérrez also established a neonatal transport system bringing critical care to rural hospitals throughout El Salvador.
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Work Experience: 22 years
Dr. Manuel Enrique Barillas is a cardiothoracic surgeon who trained at Texas Heart Institute. He established the Cardiothoracic Surgery Program at Hospital Nacional Rosales, performing the first successful heart transplant in El Salvador in 2018.
Dr. Barillas introduced minimally invasive valve surgery and off-pump coronary bypass techniques that reduce complications and recovery time. His work with rheumatic heart disease has provided life-saving surgery to hundreds of young patients.
He developed a training program for cardiac surgeons from throughout Central America. Dr. Barillas also implemented a congenital heart disease program that offers surgical correction to children who previously had to travel abroad for treatment.
Family Medicine
Work Experience: 16 years
Dr. Carolina Elizabeth Martínez is a family physician who trained at the University of Toronto. She established the first patient-centered medical home in El Salvador, revolutionizing primary care delivery.
Dr. Martínez implemented chronic disease management programs that have improved control of diabetes and hypertension in her patient population by 45%. Her community health worker model has been adopted nationally to extend care to remote areas.
She developed training programs for family physicians throughout Central America and advocates for the specialty's recognition. Dr. Martínez's preventive care initiatives have significantly reduced hospital admissions for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions.