Rao Ivatury

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Rao R. Ivatury, a loving father and husband, committed educator and mentor, and pioneer in the field of trauma surgery and critical care.

Modest and unassuming, his kindness and respect extended equally to his most accomplished surgical colleagues as it did to the nurses, service staff and technicians he knew were the unsung heroes of excellent patient care. This humility and generosity of spirit inspired love and affection in all who knew him, in particular his beloved family.

Born in 1947 in Kakinada, India, Dr. Ivatury hailed from a family deeply-rooted in the medical profession, guided by the influence of his father, a highly-respected surgeon. His journey in medicine began at P.R. Government College, Kakinada, India, and he later graduated from Andhra Medical College in 1969. He completed surgical residencies at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi (1974) and Misericordia Hospital in the Bronx, New York (1980).

As Director of Trauma and Co-Director of the SICU at Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center (1987-1997), Dr. Ivatury developed a profound love for trauma and critical care rooted in his experiences caring for patients during a violent time in the south Bronx. His work laid the foundation for groundbreaking concepts in trauma care, such as "damage-control" surgery and the management of open abdomen cases.

In 1998, Dr. Ivatury became a Professor of Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center, where he served as Chief of Trauma, Critical Care, and Emergency Surgery until his retirement in 2012. During his tenure, he transformed the VCU Trauma Center into an internationally-recognized institution, leading an expansion of the full-time trauma faculty and guiding it to recognition as a Level 1 Trauma Center.

Dr. Ivatury's impact extended beyond the operating room. His dedication to developing the next generation of surgeons led his students and residents to refer to him as "Trauma Master Jedi Yoda," reflecting his humility, wisdom, and kindness as an educator. Esteemed globally, he was frequently sought after for his expertise, especially in Latin America, where he invested considerable time and energy assisting other surgeons as a leader of the Panamerican Trauma Society.

A prolific author and editor, Dr. Ivatury leaves behind an impressive body of work with some 350 publications, 100 abstracts, thirty chapters, and five books. Dr. Ivatury's contributions to medicine were recognized with awards such as the Fred Parker Award and the Arnold M. Salzberg Award in Surgery, and in 2019 he was named a Master Surgeon Educator by the American College of Surgeons.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Ivatury was a loving husband to Dr. Leela Kriplani for 48 years until her passing in 2023. He was a proud father to two sons, Gautam and Arun, and a doting grandfather to five grandchildren, in whom his love of music and his dedication to helping others lives on. Dr. Ivatury will be remembered not only as an icon in the field of trauma surgery but as a loving and compassionate teacher, mentor, husband, and father. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations and his kind and humble leadership will continue to serve as a model for all.