New Chapter

Charalambos (Babis) Rammos, M.D. (PLS ’15), grew up in Greece, where his father was a surgeon. He trained in plastic surgery at Mayo Clinic and is now in private practice in Peoria, Illinois, and is vice chair of research in the Department of Surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. He was recently voted teacher of the year for the College of Medicine. Dr. Rammos says he’s forever grateful to Mayo Clinic for saving his mother’s life. 

“I could not have asked for better training. It was unbelievable. I maintain close relationships with my mentors from the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mayo Clinic.”

How did you become interested in medicine?

I come from a family of surgeons. My parents are from Greece, but my dad did his residency on the East Coast. After my father’s residency, we moved back to Greece, where he practiced cardiothoracic surgery. My older brother is a neurosurgeon in Little Rock, Arkansas.

I never really considered another profession. I did residencies in general surgery (University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria) and plastic surgery (Mayo Clinic). Plastic surgery is intriguing. You have to be able to operate from head to toe. I believe every patient is unique and deserves individualized attention, and providing patients with results that make them happy is the ultimate satisfaction.

What led you to Mayo Clinic?

I interviewed at about 20 places; Mayo Clinic was my top choice. Mayo is a world-class facility that puts patients first. I knew I’d get solid training and see diverse pathologies.

I could not have asked for better training. It was unbelievable. I maintain close relationships with my mentors from the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mayo Clinic: Samir Mardini, M.D. (PLS ’06), division chair; and Jorys Martinez-Jorge, M.D. (PLS ’14).

What was your initial impression of Mayo Clinic?

I remember walking into the Gonda Building my first day. It was breathtaking, exciting, overwhelming and challenging all at once.

What does it mean to have Mayo Clinic on your CV?

I was a part of a world-renowned health care organization that has opened a lot of doors, and it means you are well respected.

What’s an important lesson you learned at Mayo Clinic?

Patient care is the most important thing. Everything else is secondary.

Tell us what you do now.

I do 50% cosmetic surgery and 50% reconstructive plastic surgery as well as nonsurgical procedures in the office. I’m vice chair of research at the Department of Surgery and an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. I teach medical students and residents and was recently voted teacher of the year for the College of Medicine.

What advice do you have for trainees?

Work hard; it pays off in the end. Be ethical and honest. Try to maintain some balance — do things outside of work.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I travel a lot for business and pleasure and enjoy exploring new places and meeting new people.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

When I started training in plastic surgery at Mayo Clinic, my mom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. She went to Mayo Clinic from Greece for treatment. Mayo Clinic saved her life. She’s totally healthy now and lives in Greece. I’m forever grateful.

See past New Chapter stories here.