Francisca Velcek

Dr. Francisca Velcek serves as Chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery and Professor of Surgery at Downstate Health Sciences University. Appointed to the surgical faculty in 1975 by Dr. Samuel Kountz, she became the first woman member of the department and achieved full Professor rank in 1991. Board certified in general surgery with special certification in Pediatric Surgery and surgical critical care, she maintains active clinical practice.

Her educational background includes:

• Medical degree from University of Philippines College of Medicine (1966)
• General surgical residency at St. Clare's Hospital Medical Center, New York City (1971)
• Pediatric surgery fellowship at Downstate Health Sciences University / Kings County Hospital under Dr. Peter K. Kottmeier

Dr. Velcek specializes in complex pediatric surgical cases including anorectal malformations, congenital lesions, and neonatal/adolescent gynecologic problems. She excels in high-risk thoracic, pulmonary, intra-abdominal, gynecologic, and urologic procedures with exceptional clinical outcomes, consistently taking on the most challenging cases in her field.

Her military service during Operation Desert Storm earned her the Distinguished Service medal and Commendation medal from the US Army for serving as Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She retired from the US Army Reserve Medical Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel.

As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Velcek has profoundly influenced residents toward academic pediatric surgery careers, with many mentees now holding leadership positions nationally. She previously served as President of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America and currently sits on the Executive Council of the New York Surgical Society.