Dr. CArmen Ramos Irizarry
Early Life and Foundations
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Carmen Ramos Irizarry discovered discipline and creativity early as a ballet dancer with the Ballets de San Juan, Puerto Rico’s national company. The structure, focus, and teamwork required in ballet became the foundation for her future in medicine and leadership. She credits her parents for their unwavering support and sacrifices that made her education and artistic pursuits possible, and her sister for inspiring her with courage and resilience through their shared journey in ballet.
As a U.S. Army Reserve officer with periods of active duty, she cultivated resilience, adaptability, and a deep respect for service. These experiences shaped her philosophy as both a surgeon and an educator—leading with integrity, composure, and compassion under pressure.
Dr. Ramos Irizarry graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico and went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She completed her General Surgery residency at the Puerto Rico Medical Center, with additional advanced training at Boston Children’s Hospital, part of Harvard University. These formative years solidified her passion for pediatric surgery and her dedication to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Her academic journey continued with a Master’s degree in Clinical Investigation at the University of Puerto Rico under the mentorship of Dr. Estela Estapé, a respected leader in health sciences education and research. Building upon this foundation, she earned a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, where she deepened her expertise in health systems, leadership, and research methodology. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Education at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on workforce integration and educational systems within healthcare.
Her professional path also took her to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she conducted pediatric surgical research under the mentorship of Dr. Catherine Musemeche, whose guidance helped her secure a prestigious Pediatric Surgery Fellowship at the University of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children—one of the world’s foremost centers for pediatric surgical innovation.
Today, Dr. Ramos Irizarry serves on the Council of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and as Director of the Pediatric Surgery Board of the ABS. She is also an ABS Examiner in both General and Pediatric Surgery and contributes as an item writer for national board examinations—helping shape the standards of excellence for the surgical profession.
Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to precision, education, and equity in healthcare—values she continues to advance through her work in academic leadership, diversity initiatives, and professional mentorship.
Academic Excellence
Dr. Ramos Irizarry earned her Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University with honors, where she was inducted into the Delta Omega Alpha Honor Society for academic excellence.
A magna cum laude high-school graduate who has consistently achieved honors across advanced degrees, she has always pursued learning as both a calling and a discipline.
Professional Transition and Scholarship
Now transitioning from a long surgical career into higher education, she applies her experience in patient care, systems leadership, and social responsibility to help shape the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Her scholarly work—rooted in the Ecological Adaptive Integration Model (EAIM)—examines how mentorship, institutional culture, and system design influence physician-assistant and other healthcare professionals integrate into the healthcare workforce.
Mission Statement
To educate with precision, lead with integrity, and integrate compassion and reflection into every system of healthcare learning.
