Robert Riviello

Dr. Robert Riviello is Associate Professor of Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Steven C. and Carmella R. Kletjian Associate Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He serves as Medical Director of the Metabolic Support Service and holds an adjunct professorship at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda. His clinical practice focuses on trauma, burn, and surgical critical care.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from Harvard College
• Master's degree from Harvard School of Public Health
• Medical degree from the University of California

He completed general surgery residency at Vanderbilt University, a Fulbright Fellowship in Angola, and fellowships in global surgery, acute care, burn surgery, and critical care at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Research Interests:
Dr. Riviello leads initiatives in global surgical equity, focusing on: 1) Strengthening surgical systems in low-resource settings (Rwanda, Nigeria, Latin America); 2) Telemedicine applications for postoperative care; 3) Surgical education innovations including simulation training; and 4) Policy frameworks for national surgical plans. His work emphasizes community-based solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Publication Trends (2024-2025):
Recent articles demonstrate three dominant themes: 1) Surgical training innovations (simulation, virtual learning, non-technical skills); 2) Health policy and equity (open-access publishing barriers, national surgical plans); and 3) Implementation science (telemedicine for infection diagnosis, blood transfusion strategies). Geographically, 73% focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, with Rwanda as the primary research hub.

Awards:

• Fulbright International Fellowship
• Kletjian Distinguished Chair in Global Surgery

Global Collaborations:
He leads research partnerships with the University of Global Health Equity (Rwanda), COSECSA (Sub-Saharan Africa), and Ecuador's Ministry of Health. His team develops context-specific surgical protocols and trains non-specialist providers in rural settings.