Ramon L. Zapata-Sirvent, MD

Ramón L. Zapata-Sirvent, M.D., is a reconstructive plastic surgeon at Shriners Children’s Texas who has dedicated his life and career to helping children heal and thrive after burn injuries. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Zapata knew from a young age that he wanted to become a surgeon. He earned his medical degree from and completed his general, plastic and reconstructive surgical residencies at the Universidad Central de Venezuela. He also spent several years as a burn research fellow in the U.S. at both the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver and the University of California Medical Center in San Diego, which sparked his lifelong passion for burn care.

Dr. Zapata practiced for 20 years at Centro Medico de Caracas and became a recognized leader in burn care across Latin America as the founder and president of both the Venezuelan Burn Association and the Venezuelan Plastic Surgery Society.

He later returned to the U.S. for advanced fellowship training at the University of Texas Medical Branch before joining the team at Shriners Children’s Texas. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has authored numerous books, book chapters and peer-reviewed articles focused on burn and reconstructive care. Over his career, he has served as a professor, researcher and a surgical leader. Dr. Zapata combines his decades of expertise in burn reconstructive care with a warm, family-centered approach, and embraces Shriners Children’s mission to help children heal and thrive, unconfined by their scars, to live life without limitations.