Rafael A. Ortega, MD
Professor, Anesthesiology
Biography
Rafael A. Ortega, MD, a native of the Dominican Republic, is a graduate of the UNPHU in Santo Domingo and trained in anesthesiology at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center in the early 1980’s. He is Professor of Anesthesiology and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine.
Dr. Ortega is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and the National Board of Echocardiography. His interests include cardiac and thoracic anesthesia, computer-assisted instruction, and education in anesthesiology. He has served in various committees with American Society of Anesthesiologists, Massachusetts Society of Anesthesiologists and the Wood Library Museum.
Dr. Ortega has published a variety of papers, book chapters, and multimedia programs in a broad range of topics including airway management, operating room hazards, and the history of his specialty. In 2006, he published the book Written in Granite and spearheaded the restoration of the Ether Monument in the Boston Public Garden. With the proceeds from this book, a maintenance fund was created to assure the monument’s continuing preservation. His most recent work includes the publication of a series of clinical procedure videos in New England Journal of Medicine and a multilingual instructional program for the World Health Organization’s Global Pulse Oximetry Project.
As Assistant Dean of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, he is responsible for fostering diversity and cultural competence among students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Ortega works with four Assistant Deans. Together they form a formidable team striving to make Boston University Medical Campus as heterogeneous and inclusive as possible. Dr. Ortega is committed to unquestionable openness and inclusion, promoting relations among all groups, and inspiring students and faculty to learn from each other while appreciating their differences.
Other Positions
- Assistant Dean, Diversity & Inclusion, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- Chair, Anesthesiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- Chief, Anesthesiology, Boston Medical Center
- Vice Chair, Academic Affairs, Anesthesiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Education
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), MD
Publications
- Published on 11/16/2023
Gonzalez M, Brook K, Arriaga A, Hayes R, Nozari A, Ortega R. Listas de Verificación de Seguridad Quirúrgica y de Procedimientos: Video en Anestesia Clinica Anesth Analg. 2023 Dec 01; 137(6):1306-1310. PMID: 37973134.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 11/16/2023
Gonzalez M, Brook K, Arriaga A, Hayes R, Nozari A, Ortega R. Procedural and Surgical Safety Checklists: Video in Clinical Anesthesia. Anesth Analg. 2023 Dec 01; 137(6):1302-1305. PMID: 37973133.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 9/26/2023
Kalajian TA, Cannella JA, Vasudevan A, Mizelle J, Rendon LF, Nozari A, Ortega R. An overview of local anesthetics in over-the-counter products. Pain Pract. 2024 Feb; 24(2):364-373. PMID: 37750534.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 9/8/2022
Conley C, Brook K, Louca J, Haber A, Nozari A, Ortega R. Inhalational Induction. N Engl J Med. 2022 Sep 08; 387(10):e19. PMID: 36069873.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 5/19/2022
Canelli R, Leo M, Ortega R. Use of eFAST in Patients with Injury to the Thorax or Abdomen. Reply. N Engl J Med. 2022 05 19; 386(20):1964. PMID: 35584174.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 3/31/2022
Nozari A, Mukerji S, Lok LL, Gu Q, Buhl L, Jain S, Ortega R. Perception of Web-Based Didactic Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Anesthesia Residents: Pilot Questionnaire Study. JMIR Med Educ. 2022 Mar 31; 8(1):e31080. PMID: 35275840.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 3/10/2022
Canelli R, Leo M, Mizelle J, Shrestha GS, Patel N, Ortega R. Use of eFAST in Patients with Injury to the Thorax or Abdomen. N Engl J Med. 2022 03 10; 386(10):e23. PMID: 35263521.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 1/1/2022
Ortega R. 2020 Severinghaus Lecture on Translational Science: Comment. Anesthesiology. 2022 01 01; 136(1):245-247. PMID: 34637491.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 10/21/2021
Ortega R, Rengasamy S, Nozari A. Administration of Supplemental Oxygen. Reply. N Engl J Med. 2021 10 21; 385(17):e61. PMID: 34670058.
Read at: PubMed - Published on 7/15/2021
Rengasamy S, Nassef B, Bilotta F, Pugliese F, Nozari A, Ortega R. Administration of Supplemental Oxygen. N Engl J Med. 2021 07 15; 385(3):e9. PMID: 34260838.
Read at: PubMed
View 98 more publications: View full profile at BUMC