Rafael Diaz-Garcia, M.D., FACS, has joined Baptist Health Orthopedic Care as an orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon. He specializes in peripheral nerve surgery to treat neuropathic pain, nerve compression, nerve injuries as well as brachial plexus pathology, including neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. His clinical interests include the care of high-level athletes, arthroscopy and arthroplasty of the hand and wrist, arthritis, spasticity, treatment of rheumatologic diseases and microsurgical treatment of vascular insufficiency in the upper extremity.

Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. Diaz-Garcia was the director of medical operations and chief of plastic surgery at Allegheny Health Network, in Pittsburgh, Pa. He also served as a clinical associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Diaz-Garcia to our team of skilled specialists who are dedicated to providing quality orthopedic care,” said John Uribe, M.D., chief medical executive, Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.

Dr. Diaz-Garcia earned his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and a master’s degree in healthcare management at the Johns Hopkins University – Carey Business School. He completed a general surgery internship and a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Michigan Health Systems. His postdoctoral training also includes an orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of several professional organizations.

Castle Connolly has recognized Dr. Diaz-Garcia on its list of Top Doctors. He serves as a reviewer for HAND and regional editor for the Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. His work in orthopedic hand surgery is widely published in peer-reviewed medical journals. He frequently lectures on the management of nerve injuries in the upper and lower extremities, as well as limb salvage after trauma or cancer.

Dr. Diaz-Garcia was an early adopter of targeted muscle reinnervation for the management of neuromas and phantom pain in patients with limb loss. He has more than ten years of experience utilizing this procedure and finds it extremely gratifying to provide pain relief to those who have been told there are no options. 

Dr. Diaz-Garcia takes time to understand his patients’ goals and educate them on possible outcomes so, together, they can determine the best course of treatment. “Whether I am treating athletes so they can return to sport performance or helping stroke patients with spasticity, watching my patients improve their quality of life post-operatively is the most rewarding part of my profession,” Dr. Diaz-Garcia said.  

Dr. Diaz-Garcia is fluent in English and Spanish. He will see patients at three Baptist Orthopedic Care locations:  8940 North Kendall Drive, Suite 602E, Miami, FL 33176; 1150 Campo Sano Avenue, 1st Floor, Coral Gables, FL 33146; and 1150 Campo Sano Avenue, 2nd Floor, Coral Gables, FL 33146.