Our Team
Leadership
Charting the path to excellence, we connect top-tier surgeons with hospitals to ensure critical care at the vital moment. Navigate through our offerings, and discover the difference specialized trauma skills can make.
Aaron Strumwasser, MD, MSc, FACS
President
Dr. Strumwasser is a board-certified Trauma/Acute Care Surgeon and Surgical Intensivist who currently serves as…
Dr. Aaron Strumwasser, MD
Dr. Strumwasser is a board-certified Trauma/Acute Care Surgeon and Surgical Intensivist who currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Desert Trauma Surgeons, Inc. He completed dual-degrees at Stanford University (A.B. – Human Biology, M.S. – Statistics) and finished his M.D. at the University of Southern CA in 2006.
He subsequently completed General Surgery Residency at the University of California, San Francisco-East Bay followed by a two-year Trauma/Surgical Critical Care fellowship at the LAC+USC Medical Center (2007-2013). He served as Clinical Faculty for the USC Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery from 2013 to 2020, followed by a position as Trauma Medical Director at Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs, CA) helping them attain Level II ACS trauma accreditation for the first time in 2022. That same year he built GME programs for Surgical Critical Care and General Surgery at Desert Regional and has special interest in surgical education and research, having trained medical students, residents, fellows and military corpsmen at the Navy Trauma Training Center at USC.
He currently serves as Trauma Medical Director/Director of SICU and Chair of the Department of Surgery at St. Francis Medical Center (Lynwood, CA), a Level II trauma center in Los Angeles County. He most recently brought St. Francis through accreditation in 2023 with no deficiencies. Dr. Strumwasser is a member of ACS, AAST, AAS/SUS, SCCM and the AMA and is intimately involved in trauma systems in LA County. Dr. Strumwasser has extensive experience managing severely injured trauma patients, neurotrauma patients, cardiac/mechanical circulatory support patients and subspecialty surgical patients including hepatobiliary, transplant and vascular surgery. He has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters involving topics such as acute traumatic coagulopathy, prehospital resuscitation, sepsis, and the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for trauma.
Special basic science interests include trauma-induced inflammation, the role of viscoelastic testing in trauma induced coagulopathy, and the role of Angiotensin II for septic shock. His full pubmed list is available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=strumwasser+a
Bryan Love, MD, FACS
Treasurer, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Love is a board-certified Trauma/Acute care surgeon who currently serves as the Treasurer of Desert Trauma Surgeons Inc…
Dr. Bryan Love, MD
Dr. Love is a board-certified Trauma/Acute Care Surgeon who currently serves as the Treasurer of Desert Trauma Surgeons, Inc. He serves as the Trauma Medical Director at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery and Assistant Trauma Medical Director at Saint Francis Medical Center. His impact extends to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he is a dedicated Trauma/Surgical Critical Care Attending.
A graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Love’s journey includes fellowship training in Trauma/Surgical Critical Care at LAC+USC Medical Center and residency training at the University of California Riverside. His educational background is enriched by a dual degree in Classics and Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Love’s commitment to advancing trauma care is evident through his leadership in fellowship projects. Notable initiatives include the Trauma Team Activation FAST Quality Improvement Project, Interventional Radiology Response Time Quality Improvement Project, and the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Project (PUPP).
Acknowledged for his exceptional patient care, Dr. Love has received the Los Angeles County Commendation for his role in emergent bilateral above-knee amputations. His dedication to teaching is highlighted by the Teaching Resident of the Year award from Riverside University Health System.
Dr. Love’s scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications on topics such as venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and ultrasound accuracy in diagnosing acute appendicitis.
A passionate educator, Dr. Love serves as an instructor for Advanced Trauma Life Support, Fundamentals of Critical Care Support, and Stop the Bleeding courses. His dedication to teaching extends beyond the medical setting, as evidenced by his role as an ABSITE Review leader.
Board-certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Dr. Love holds a California Medical License and DEA certification. As an instructor and certified professional in various life support courses, he continues to contribute to the education and preparedness of healthcare professionals.
Dr. Bryan E. Love’s impact on trauma surgery extends far beyond the operating room. His dedication to patient care, education, and continuous improvement underscores his status as a trailblazer in the medical community. Explore the journey of a distinguished trauma surgeon committed to shaping the future of acute care and surgical excellence.
Beyond his medical prowess, Dr. Love is a versatile individual with a keen interest in photography, music (piano), travel, and hiking
Oscar Paz-Altschul, MD, FACS, CWSP
Secretary
Dr. Oscar Paz-Altschul, MD, FACS, CWSP. Pioneering Surgeon and Wound Care Specialist. Dr. Paz-Altschul is a board…
Dr. Oscar Paz, MD
Dr. Oscar Paz-Altschul, MD, FACS, CWSP
Pioneering Surgeon and Wound Care Specialist
Dr. Paz-Altschul is a board-certified Trauma/Acute Care Surgeon who currently serves as the Secretary of Desert Trauma Surgeons, Inc. Dr. Oscar Paz-Altschul, is a distinguished surgeon and certified wound specialist, celebrated for his comprehensive expertise in trauma surgery, burn surgery, acute care surgery, and wound care. With a rich professional background and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Paz-Altschul has dedicated over 30 years to the community.
A graduate of the Universidad Nacional de El Salvador, Dr. Paz-Altschul’s distinguished academic trajectory encompasses fellowship training in Burn Surgery at the University of South Florida and Tampa Bay General Hospital. Additionally, his educational pursuits feature a fellowship in Trauma Surgery at U.C.S.F Valley Medical Center in Fresno, CA.
During his career, Dr. Paz served as the Assistant Director of Trauma Services as well as Medical Director of Wound Care Services at Desert Regional Medical Center. Dr. Paz has devoted his career to advancing surgical and wound care practices to improve patient care throughout the Coachella Valley. With this passion, he continues to play a pivotal role in providing cutting-edge care to patients in Palm Springs, CA.
With a foundational education that spans El Salvador, the United States, and Mexico, Dr. Paz-Altschul’s global perspective has influenced his approach to healthcare. His extensive training in burn and trauma surgery has equipped him to handle complex cases with precision and compassion.
A recognized leader in the field, Dr. Paz-Altschul’s board certifications from the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Wound Management underscore his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of proficiency.
In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Paz-Altschul contributes to the professional development of his peers through participation in esteemed professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons and the Association for Advancement of Wound Care.
Dr. Oscar Paz-Altschul stands as a beacon of excellence in the surgical community, where his expertise, leadership, and dedication to wound care have left an indelible mark. His multifaceted contributions to patient care and professional development showcase a commitment to advancing the field of surgery.
Dr. Paz-Altschul enjoys pottery, traveling and is a culinary connoisseur.
Meet the Team
Rita Hernandez
Elizabeth Kianpour
