30 in Their Thirties: Dr. Carlos A. Ramirez // 36

3099

Director, LakeShore Center for Head and Neck, Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery, St. John Providence Health System, Warren
Employees: 3,000 Revenue: $400 million Education: Wayne State University School of Medicine

While completing his residency at St. John Providence Health System in Warren, Dr. Carlos A. Ramirez observed an increasing amount of head and neck cancer patients receiving treatment elsewhere due to a lack of services available within the St. John system. The native of Peru was inspired to make a change. He sought a fellowship in microvascular reconstruction under the direction of world-renowned head, neck, and microvascular surgeon Dr. Rui Fernandes at the University of Florida. Under his guidance, the Wayne State Medical School graduate worked to develop and gain approval from St. John’s for the Center for Head and Neck, Maxillofacial and Reconstructive Surgery. Since its opening in July 2013, Ramirez and his staff have helped more than 250 patients with head and neck cancer, congenital malformations, and facial trauma. He’s also working to develop a Microvascular Surgery Fellowship training program within the next two years, where students would receive the same guidance he did. Ramirez attributes his success to being able to find a need in his field and fill it. “Learn to visualize outcomes and all their different permutations, and proceed with the one that will give you the best result,” he says.