From Surgery to Education: Reconstructing Learning in Healthcare

Welcome to the professional site of Dr. Carmen Ramos Irizarry, a board-certified pediatric surgeon, educator, and researcher dedicated to transforming how healthcare professionals learn and lead.
Drawing from decades in surgery, service as a U.S. Army Reserve officer, and a lifelong passion for ballet and all expressions of art, Dr. Ramos Irizarry brings a disciplined yet creative approach to mentorship, reflection, and leadership.
Her current work bridges clinical precision and educational design to cultivate adaptive, inclusive, and ethically grounded learning systems.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Ramos Irizarry discovered discipline early as a dancer with the Ballets de San Juan company. The same focus and teamwork guided her through medicine and military service, shaping her philosophy of purposeful education.
As a Johns Hopkins–trained public-health professional and Delta Omega Alpha honoree, she now applies systems thinking and social responsibility to medical education—helping shape the next generation of reflective, resilient clinicians.
Dr. Carmen Ramos Irizarry offers academic consulting, mentorship, and research collaboration across the health professions.
Her work focuses on workforce integration, mentorship, and educational system design—bridging the surgical mindset with transformative learning science.
She partners with institutions to develop adaptive, equitable, and competency-driven learning environments that prepare healthcare professionals for real-world complexity.

The landscape of surgery has been traditionally male-dominated, but visionary leaders like Dr. Carmen Ramos Irizarry are at the vanguard of change. As a Puerto Rican woman who transitioned from surgery to education, she exemplifies the potential of women leading the charge in surgical and healthcare education. Dr. Irizarry’s journey illuminates the path for aspiring
In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, educational resilience has become a cornerstone of successful medical education reform. Reflective practice is a key component in building this resilience, enabling healthcare professionals to continuously learn from their experiences. Dr. Carmen Ramos Irizarry’s advocacy for reflective practice empowers individuals to critically assess and adapt their clinical approaches. This methodology