Romeo Castro Ignacio, MD FACS

Dr. Romeo Ignacio is currently a Staff Pediatric Surgeon and the Trauma Medical Director at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego. He recently retired from the U.S. Navy after 21 years of active duty service. During his military career he served as the Program Director for General Surgery, Division Chair of Pediatric Surgery and medical student clerkship director at at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD). Throughout most of his 21 years as an active duty Naval officer, he has served in multiple roles to include pediatric surgeon, program director of general surgery, division chair of pediatric surgery, humanitarian and a leader within the U.S. Navy. Dr. Ignacio’s has been recognized for being an inspirational educator and mentor. He has received the prestigious Arnold P. Gold Foundation’s Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009 as a pediatric surgery fellow. Over the next few years, he was the recipient of several teaching and mentorship awards to include the General Surgery Mentor of the Year Award (2010, 2012, and 2013), Allshouse-Jones Teaching Award (2010, 2013, 2015, 2017) and the Donald L. Sturtz Excellence in Teaching Award (2011), Admiral Stitt Teaching Award (2016) and the NMCSD Master Clinician Award (2012). He continues to also find time to mentor high school and college students who are interested in a career in medicine. Dr. Ignacio has spoken at numerous colleges, sponsored undergraduate students for visits to the hospital, and mentored them for their pursuits for a medical education. Dr. Ignacio has been an outstanding leader and supporter among residents, interns and medical students. His remarkable role as a surgical educator has been demonstrated by his recent teaching awards. He plans to continue his pursuits in teaching and training the next generation of young surgeons and looks forward to being an active contributor as well as a leader in the evolving changes in surgical education.

Neonatal Surgery

• congenital anomalies
• newborn surgery

Pediatric Abdomen & Digestion

• intussusception
• intussusception
• Meckel diverticulum

Minimally Invasive Procedures

• laparoscopic surgery
• minimally invasive surgery

Pediatric Thoracic (lungs,chest,esoph)

• lobectomy

Naval Medical Center San Diego,

San Diego,, CA

Attending

07/2009—Present

Kaiser Permanente - San Diego (Zion),

San Diego,, CA

Trauma/Acute Care Surgeon

05/2010—Present

Rady Children's Hospital San Diego/University of San Diego School of Medicine

San Diego, CA

Attending

01/2019—Present