OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital cardiothoracic surgeon Jose Norberto will be recognized as an honorary professor at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo next month, according to an April 14 announcement. The distinction honors his contributions to cardiothoracic and oncological surgery, as well as his achievement as the first Dominican to perform a heart transplant.
This recognition highlights Norberto’s personal and professional ties to the university where he earned his degree. His family has a long history with the institution, with both parents, his brother, and uncles graduating from there. “For somebody who has such a close tie to the university, this is very special,” said Dr. Norberto.
Norberto spoke about how his parents overcame poverty in the Dominican Republic through education at UASD. He said that their perseverance inspired him: “I came to this world in a different environment than they grew up. I was medium class. They were poor. I felt if they were able to go to college and get a degree, I had no excuse but to achieve that as well. I was very, very moved by what they went through compared to how much easier I had it.” After graduating magna cum laude from UASD, Norberto completed cardiac surgery training at Ohio State University in 1990 and became the first Dominican physician to perform a heart transplant.
He later led Fairfield Medical Center’s open-heart surgery program for 17 years before joining OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital as a cardiothoracic surgeon. Although he left the Dominican Republic decades ago, Norberto continues returning on mission trips where he provides free surgical care for patients in need.
OhioHealth promotes compassionate care that upholds individual dignity while serving communities across a 50-county region in Ohio according to its official website. The organization operates 16 hospitals and more than 200 ambulatory sites according to its official website, employs about 35,000 people including associates, physicians and volunteers according to its official website, and serves as a charitable outreach of the United Methodist Church according to its official website. It is recognized multiple times by FORTUNE among best places to work according to its official website.
As healthcare needs grow throughout Ohio’s diverse populations, organizations like OhioHealth continue focusing on accessibility for all—including those most in need—while maintaining comprehensive services according to its official website.
