Carlos E. Pineda, MD, a board-certified vascular surgeon practicing in Seattle, Washington, reflects on his path from Guatemala to the U.S., the role of cultural identity in his practice and the importance of promoting equality in vascular surgery during this Hispanic Heritage Month. Pineda is affiliated with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and brings his expertise in treating vascular conditions.
Born and raised in Guatemala City, Pineda's journey into medicine was heavily influenced by his father and grandfather, both surgeons who trained in the United States.
"It was my dream to come to America to train in general surgery," Pineda shared, recalling the hurdles he faced as an international medical graduate. "After several years of hard work, persistence, grit and sacrifice, I was able to train in general surgery, discover my passion for vascular surgery and ultimately become a board-certified vascular surgeon."
Although the road to his career was challenging, Pineda credits his success to the support of his mentors and the strong cultural values instilled in him by his Guatemalan roots. Looking back on his transition to the U.S., Pineda admitted how, "there was significant culture shock, and in order to ‘fit in,’ I felt obligated to limit my cultural traditions."
However, over time, he came to appreciate the unique elements of his background, which now shaped how he cares for his patients.
"In Guatemala, we take pride in our warmth, our concern for others and our humor in the face of difficulty. Treating everyone like family is at the core of who we are," said Pineda.
Pineda’s ability to speak Spanish has also helped him forge strong connections with his Hispanic patients. "It’s great to be able to speak to patients in their own language and have honest conversations about their disease process, treatment plan and concerns," said Pineda.
This Hispanic Heritage month, Pineda is eager to celebrate with events like National Latino Physician Day on Oct. 1 as an opportunity to “celebrate the diverse cultures that make this country special.” This celebratory day was created by his former co-resident, Michael Galvez, MD, and he assures is gaining national recognition.
Pineda encourages fellow Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) members to use this month as an opportunity to raise awareness about health disparities affecting the Hispanic community, particularly in vascular care.
"Our membership can promote this month to their Hispanic patients and emphasize the need for proper vascular care in a population plagued by high amputation rates," said Pineda. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting Hispanic surgeons, trainees and allied health staff to foster an inclusive environment within the field. Diversity in medicine is a personal passion for Pineda, who believes that representation is critical for building trust with patients and inspiring the next generation of surgeons.
"When a patient meets a physician who looks like them, speaks their language and shares their cultural norms, trust is earned more quickly," said Pineda. He also emphasized how crucial it is for young people from minority backgrounds to see successful physicians who share their heritage, to show that they, too, can pursue careers in medicine.
The SVS has made significant strides toward promoting equality in vascular surgery, Pineda notes, "by changing bylaws, the Society has allowed more surgeons to participate in committees that shape its future."
Initiatives like the Mentor Match program further enhance diversity by connecting younger surgeons with mentors from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that the next generation of vascular surgeons is well-equipped for success. Pineda also urges members to contribute to the SVS Foundation through the Voices of Vascular campaign, which supports research and innovation in vascular surgery.
"The Foundation helps fund the groundbreaking research that keeps vascular surgery at the forefront of medicine," said Pineda. "As our membership becomes more diverse, we’ll continue to lead on the world stage in expected and unexpected ways."
For Pineda, the work of the SVS Foundation is about more than just research—it’s about fostering a community. "Having participated in recent events like the VAM Gala, I can attest that donating to the Foundation not only supports the mission but also builds camaraderie among friends within the Society."
When you donate to the SVS Foundation, you support Voices of Vascular's important work in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Learn more and make your gift today.