Dr Paula Ferrada MD. FACS. FCCM. MAMSE., currently serves as the Division and system chief for Acute Care surgery and Trauma for the Inova healthcare system and continues to serve as an educator as well as a professor of Medical Education for the University of Virginia. She is a Colombian born female Surgeon-Leader. She is an internationally recognized advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion. She trained in general surgery at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. She is the first Colombian woman to graduate from a general surgery program within the Harvard system. She completed a fellowship in surgical critical care at the University of Pittsburgh and spent an additional year of fellowship training at Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland as their first Acute Care Surgery Fellow. After her training she joined Virginia Commonwealth University as faculty, where she served in different leadership roles, including as a peer elected member of the Medical College of Virginia Physicians board. She served in the capacity of surgical critical care fellowship director and director of the surgical and trauma critical care units. Since her clinical and leadership accomplishments she has rapidly risen to the rank of full Professor of Surgery at this institution. She is an accomplished educator. Dr Ferrada has received multiple teaching awards from Harvard medical students, and she was honored with two major awards from the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical School: the Irby James teaching award and the Leonard Tow Humanism in medicine awards as a statement of her commitment to education. She was inducted as a member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, of the American College of Surgeons. Ferrada is an active member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Ultrasound Faculty (NUF), she is the creator and directs the module of echocardiogram and thoracic ultrasound for the American College of Surgeons and currently serves as the credentialing and certification vice chair for this committee. Dr Ferrada served as the Chair for the Young Fellows Association. This organization body represents surgeons 45 years and younger, members of the American College of Surgeons. Before becoming the chair, she served as the mentoring program leader, as well as the education pillar leader, helping create many opportunities for young surgeons in the American College of Surgeons. Internationally, she is the executive secretary for the Pan-American Trauma Society; she created a mentorship program for young surgeons, an ultrasound course for all first responders, published the first multicenter trial sponsored by this organization, directed the committee of the education and research and founded a scholarship for this organization. She has been a Councilor for the Virginia Chapter of the ACS, the Secretary-Treasurer of the Virginia chapter and served as the President for the chapter. She has served as the Chair of the Mentoring Committee for the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma and as the Director of the Division of Membership for this organization. During her tenure she created a mid-career leadership program, a speakers’ bureau and a Twitter chat to support the members. She has been able to translate her passion into many research projects that in turn have improved patient care. She has over 110 papers published in peer-reviewed journals, is part of the editorial board for the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, the main journal in her specialty. She is also an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Surgery and serves on the board for the Journal Surgery and the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS). She has edited several books on the care of the traumatized patients. She has been able to secure funding form the Department of Defense and the Food and Drug Administration, and has led multiple multicenter trials and practice guidelines for the management of acute care surgical patients.
Selected publications from PubMed
The extended postoperative complication score: A dual-axis reporting plan for general surgery.
Coccolini F, Cicuttin E, Chirica M, Reva V, Coimbra R, Sartelli M, Isik A, Biffl WL, Cremonini C, Colli A, Besola L, Mariani D, Kluger Y, Ceresoli M, Kurihara H, Cimino M, Moore EE, Kessel B, Horer T, Ferrada P, Kirkpatrick AW, Pikoulis M, Catena F, Bass G, Pisa, Italy
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 Aug 1;101(2):324-330 doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000005014.
Ultrasound to guide critical decisions: What you need to know.
Rowe M, Ferrada P
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2026 May 1;100(5):692-699 doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004815.
Surgeon leadership in trauma resuscitation requires a competency-based multimodal training framework.
Bass GA, Duffy CC, Cannon JW, Yelon JA, Ferrada P, Evans S, Leonard JM, Kaplan LJ
Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2025;10(4):e001975 doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2025-001975.
Prioritizing circulation over airway to improve survival in trauma patients with exsanguinating injuries: a world society of emergency surgery-panamerican trauma consensus statement.
Ferrada P, Shafique S, Brenner M, Burlew C, Catena F, Coleman J, Coleman J, Demetriades D, Demoya M, Di Saverio S, Dissanaike S, Dransfield T, DuBose J, Duchesne J, Elkbuli A, Foianini E, Gambardella J, Garcia A, Goldberg A, Goralnick E, Holcomb J, Jonathan M, Joseph B, Jacobs L, Kerby J, Lawerance R, Leichtle S, Lucas C, Machain G, Macleod J, Maher Z, Martin M, Mendez N, Menegozzo C, Merlini I, Namias N, Narayan M, Ordonez C, Ottolino P, Patel M, Qasim ZA, Quiodettis M, Young LS, Ratnasekera A, Rayburn D, Salamea J, Sarani B, Scalea T, Seamon M, Spain D, Steele P, Taghavi S, Tatebe L, Vega F, Velmahos G, Zakrison T, Biffl WL, Damaskos D, Coccolini F, Vallicelli C, Moore EE, Ansaloni L, Kluger Y
World J Emerg Surg. 2025 Jun 2;20(1):47 doi: 10.1186/s13017-025-00618-2.
Declaration on infection prevention and management in global surgery.
Sartelli M, Coccolini F, Ansaloni L, Biffl WL, Blake DP, Boermeester MA, Coimbra R, Evans HL, Ferrada P, Gkiokas G, Jeschke MG, Hardcastle T, Hinson C, Labricciosa FM, Marwah S, Marttos AC, Quiodettis M, Rasa K, Ren J, Rubio-Perez I, Sawyer R, Shelat V, Upperman JS, Catena F
World J Emerg Surg. 2023 Dec 6;18(1):56 doi: 10.1186/s13017-023-00526-3.
Healthcare professionals, especially surgeons and physicians, often work in high-pressure environments where psychological safety is crucial but frequently overlooked. The fast-paced nature of the field can create situations where individuals feel unable to express concerns or seek support without fear of judgment. This lack of safety impacts personal well-being, patient outcomes, and team dynamics. This session brings together experts to discuss the importance of psychological safety, strategies to navigate challenging situations, and actionable tools to protect and support oneself and others, equipping healthcare professionals with the tools to thrive in their roles.
With Association of Women Surgeons
Published
Jan 2025
This panel session, moderated by the esteemed Dr. Paula Ferrada, will delve into the crucial role of leadership in advancing surgical care. Through a series of thought-provoking talks, we will explore the importance of education, global service, and collective leadership in transforming patient outcomes.
With American College of Surgeons
Published
Jul 2024
Join us for the June panel discussion, "Breaking Barriers in Surgery: Achieving Inclusive Patient Care," featuring a stellar lineup of experts dedicated to enhancing surgical outcomes through inclusivity.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Jun 2024
Welcome to the AIS Awards 2023! The event acknowledges the collective efforts of residents, surgeons, healthcare professionals, and the AIS Team in democratizing medical training through online content. With 11 awards across four categories and 45 nominees, the ceremony reflects the remarkable achievements of the AIS Community. Awards are based on real AIS Channel metrics, with two categories determined by audience votes. While celebrating winners, we also recognize the dedication of outstanding surgeons not nominated today. The prizes to be distributed will be as follows: Emerging KOLs Category Most Listened Podcast Most Viewed SOC Most Viewed ACW More Events Held KOL Category More Events Held Most Viewed OOO Live Webinar Category Most Viewed Live Surgery Greatest Social Impact Special Awards Category Best Academic Initiative Congress of the year Surgical Event of the year The virtual gathering provides a unique opportunity for professionals to connect, making the ceremony unforgettable. Join us in honoring the AIS Community's achievements this 2023!
Published
Dec 2023
Understanding and discussing different international perspectives in resuscitating patients is of utmost importance in the realm of healthcare. When it comes to trauma patients, recognizing that resources may vary across different regions is crucial. By acknowledging these differences, medical professionals can adapt their approach and utilize the available resources effectively. Furthermore, prioritizing circulation during resuscitation is vital as it plays a fundamental role in ensuring the survival of patients. By focusing on circulation, medical practitioners can increase the chances of delivering oxygen and vital nutrients to the organs, thereby improving the overall outcome for the patient. Embracing diverse international perspectives and tailoring resuscitation techniques accordingly can lead to enhanced patient care and ultimately save lives.
With American College of Surgeons
Published
Nov 2023
The journey of becoming a medical professional is not an easy one, and this is especially true for those who are going through residency. Residents face numerous challenges in their daily work, and one of the most significant challenges is the emotional toll that can come with being a healthcare provider. This is particularly evident when residents experience medical errors or adverse patient outcomes, leading to what is known as the Second Victim Syndrome. This phenomenon is particularly common in the demanding environment of residency, where trainees are faced with high-stress situations and complex patient cases. This event is meant to raise awareness about the Second Victim Syndrome and provide support and resources for those who may be experiencing its effects. We hope that you will join us for this important event, as we work together to promote the mental health and well-being of our healthcare providers.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
May 2023
Help your network discover Dr. Paula Ferrada's clinical expertise.
