Alejandro Rivas, MD
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Specialty: Otolaryngology-Otology, Pediatric Otology
View Expertise -
Primary Location: 395 E Market St (30 mi.)
Other Locations - Languages Spoken: English, French, Spanish
Office Locations
UH Cleveland Medical Center Bolwell (0 mi.)
11100 Euclid Ave
Bolwell Ste 3300A
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-844-6000
UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital (0 mi.)
11100 Euclid Ave
Ste 170
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-844-6000
UH Suburban Health Center (5 mi.)
1611 S Green Rd
Ste 146
South Euclid, OH 44121
216-844-6000
UH Minoff Health Center (7 mi.)
3909 Orange Pl
Ste 4100
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-844-6000
Biography: Alejandro Rivas, MD
Expertise
Titles
- Director, Cochlear Implant Program, University Hospitals
- Division Chief, Otology and Neurotology, UH Cleveland Medical Center
- Professor of Otolaryngology, CWRU School of Medicine
- Professor of Neurological Surgery, CWRU School of Medicine
- Richard W. and Patricia R. Pogue Chair in Auditory Surgery and Hearing Sciences, University Hospitals
Certifications & Memberships
- Neurotology - American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Education
Fellowship | Neurotology
Neurotology - Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2009 - 2011)
Residency | Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology - THE JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL (2005 - 2009)
Internship | General Surgery
General Surgery - University Of Southern California/LAC+USC Medical Center (2004 - 2005)
Research Fellowship | Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology - THE JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL (2002 - 2004)
Medical Education
Militar Nueva Granada Facultad De Medicina (2000)
About
Alejandro Rivas, MD, serves as the Division Chief of Otology and Neurotology at University Hospitals, where he is also the Director of the Cochlear Implant Program. Dr. Rivas is a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the Department of Neurological Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Most recently, he had the honor to receive the Richard W. and Patricia R. Pogue Chair in Auditory Surgery and Hearing Sciences. Dr. Rivas is a Fellow of the American Neurotology Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Triological Society and the North American Skull Base Society. He is board-certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, as well as Otology and Neurotology.
Dr. Rivas earned his medical degree from the Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, School of Medicine in his hometown of Bogotá, Colombia. He completed a research fellowship and residency in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at John Hopkins University in Maryland, and subsequently finished an ACGME-accredited Neurotology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee, where he subsequently practiced for 12 years before moving to Cleveland.
Dr. Rivas’s interests include endoscopic ear surgery, cochlear implantation, single-sided deafness, congenital malformations of the ear, ear canal atresia, bone conduction implantation, acoustic neuromas and other skull base surgeries. He is considered one of the pioneers of endoscopic ear surgery in the United States and the world. Dr Rivas has performed and taught endoscopic ear surgery and cochlear implant surgical approaches to other doctors in many countries, including Colombia, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Japan, Australia, Peru, France, Spain, and Guatemala. As an educator, he had the opportunity to host and co-direct the 2014 ACIA meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Rivas has also presented at numerous international, national and regional meetings. In addition, he serves as a reviewer for a number of academic journals, is the secretary of the Iberoamerican Cochlear Implant Group (GICCA) and is a board member of the International Working Group on Endoscopic Ear Surgery (IWGEES).
Dr. Rivas’s research endeavors on endoscopic ear surgery and hearing loss target the use of the least invasive and less morbid management options to improve auditory outcomes of hearing-impaired patients. On this subject, he has contributed more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, has edited several books, and presently serves as Associate Editor of Audiology and Neurotology.
Dr. Rivas has received multiple awards, including the Henkel Chief Resident Teacher of the Year Award in 2009, the Honor Award for distinguished service from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Foundation in 2018, and the Wesley Wilkerson MD Award for Clinical Excellence in 2019. In 2021, he will be inducted as member of the Collegium Oto-Rhino-Laryngologicum Amicitiae Sacrum, one of the highest honors in Otolaryngology.
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Patient Experience Reviews
*** The ALP's, nurses and MD's are EXCELLENT, cannot say enough caring kind words about everyone that I have had experience with at University Hospitals. Also, the care and empathy they gave my father with his Cancer diagnosis. Again,Really cant thank everyone enough!!!!!!!!!!! ***
I have received excellent care for my cochlear implant
Dr. Rivas is a Wonderful Doctor
Dr. Rivas is fantastic
Dr. Rivas, as always was very personable and listened to my concerns. His explanation of my recent cochlear surgery was very clear. I would highly recommend Dr. Rivas.
Good caring doctor -
The level of care provided over the last year was exceptional. Dr. Rivas renewed our hope in the medical industry. Our child and us felt seen and heard. His team went above and beyond through all the visits, exams under anesthesia and surgery. There aren't even words to describe the level of gratitude we have for our experience with this doctor at UH.
This appointment was probably the best experience I've had at a specialist. The office staff was genuinely kind, and I didn't feel like I was an inconvenience, as I've experienced in other offices before. Dr Rivas was very thorough, and one of the kindest and most generous providers I've ever encountered. I felt seen and heard, and he didn't rush the appointment in any capacity. He listened to my questions without judgement and answered them with complete clarity. I cannot express how grateful I am to him for finally giving me an explanation for something I've dealt with for my entire *** years of life.
Good experience, very nice Doctor.
Great experience
The doctor thoroughly explained my options.
I really liked Dr Rivas and am switching my ENT care to him moving forward.
Excellent care
Knowledgeable and personally caring for me as an individual.
Dr Rivas is Amazing... Highly recommend him to anyone that has a need for his skills ..
Excellent caring Dr and team -Spent a tremendous amount of time w me and explained things in a way I understood
Dr Rivas and his staff are the absolute bestWould not go anywhere else for audiology problems
I loved my doctor! He has always taken the time to explain everything if I've had a question. I have recommended him too many people, including where I go to have my hearing aid checked and cleaned. ( Beltone, in New Philadelphia, Ohio). She too has already given her patients Dr. Rivas cards . He's a wonderful doctor! *** Never did I feel like I was just another number.
Excellent
Everyone was Fabulous! What great office
Dr. Rivas as always was attentive and listened to my concerns. He explains alternatives. I have complete confidence in him.
Dr. Rivas is a wonderful caring doctor that make sure that you understand everything when you were in the office
I recognize and appreciate this provider's expertise, being the head of the department. He was thorough, friendly and answered my questions. I did feel however that he was not in touch with how serious of a decision this was fior me and he seemed anxious to perform what I deemed to be a very serious surgical procedure which may have little to no impact upon my symptoms. I struggle with the down time and healing process and, I neglected to ask if the proposed surgery is needed or elective. I am scheduled to get a second opinion from another neurosurgeon before making this decision. I also have other questions.
Dr. Rivas and his staff are awesome. I know I'm in good hands when I'm there.
The Dr & staff was excellent
Dr. Rivas was very thorough and communicative during my visit.
Great Experience
The experience was a good one. ***
My experience was good but I still wanted another opinion and, I wanted time to research and think about my healthcare options.
Industry Relationships
University Hospitals is committed to transparency in our interactions with industry partners, such as pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device companies. At UH, we disclose practitioner and their family members’ ownership and intellectual property rights that are or in the process of being commercialized. In addition, we disclose payments to employed practitioners of $5,000 or more from companies with which the practitioners interact as part of their professional activities. These practitioner-industry relationships assist in developing new drugs, devices and therapies and in providing medical education aimed at improving quality of care and enhancing clinical outcomes. At the same time, UH understands that these relationships may create a conflict of interest. In providing this information, UH desires to assist patients in talking with their practitioners about industry relationships and how those relationships may impact their medical care.
UH practitioners seek advance approval for certain new industry relationships. In addition, practitioners report their industry relationships and activities, as well as those of their immediate family members, to the UH Office of Outside Interests annually. We review these reports and implement management plans, as appropriate, to address conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with medical research, clinical care and purchasing decisions.
View UH’s policy (PDF) on practitioner-industry relationships.
As of December 31, 2016, Alejandro Rivas did not disclose any Outside Relationships with Industry.