Assistant Professor of Surgery
University Hospitals
Dr. Ronald A. Charles is a board-certified colorectal surgeon, distinguished academic leader, and transformative healthcare administrator with a career defined by clinical excellence, educational innovation, and system-level leadership. Currently serving as the Surgical Director of Operating Room Operations at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Dr. Charles is also the Program Director of the Colon & Rectal Surgery Fellowship and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University.
Academic & Educational Achievements
Dr. Charles earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology with magna cum laude distinction and honors in research from the City College of New York. He completed his medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College, followed by general surgery residency and a research fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. His scholarly work during this time advanced understanding of the immunomodulatory role of hepatic stellate cells in transplantation immunology.
Dr. Charles has consistently advanced academic excellence through structured teaching and mentorship. He holds dual academic appointments at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, where he has mentored numerous residents and medical students, many of whom have gone on to secure prestigious fellowships and leadership roles. His dedication to education earned him the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year award from the Department of Surgery at University Hospitals.
He has lectured nationally at major conferences including the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, ERAS Symposium, and Osler Institute Board Review Course. He is also actively involved in curriculum development, grand rounds, and skills training for surgical residents.
Leadership & Administrative Roles
Dr. Charles has had a positive impact on hospital administration. As Surgical Director of OR Operations, he drives operational excellence and value-based surgical care across a high-volume academic health system. He also serves as Associate Director for the University Hospitals Geriatric Surgery Verification Program, reflecting his commitment to surgical quality for vulnerable populations.
He is a founding leader of University Hospitals’ Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) operations committee, which garnered the 2022 Association Patient Engagement Best Practice Award and Quest for Quality Award from the American Hospital Association. His leadership in ERAS implementation has reduced hospital costs and improved patient outcomes across multiple service lines.
Dr. Charles holds multiple institutional leadership appointments, including service on the System Surgical Steering Committee, Cost Reduction Working Group, Cancer Committee, and Perioperative Value Analysis Committee. His national presence includes committee roles with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
Research & Scholarly Contributions
As a researcher, Dr. Charles has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications focusing on colorectal cancer outcomes, surgical disparities, inflammatory bowel disease, and ERAS implementation. His pioneering work on the immunological properties of hepatic stellate cells was published in high-impact journals such as Transplantation and Immunotherapy. He is also the co-author of textbook chapters on inflammatory bowel disease and ileostomy surgery.
Dr. Charles contributes regularly as a peer reviewer for major journals including Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, Surgical Endoscopy, and the International Journal of Surgery. He is an invited speaker and moderator at national meetings and has presented over 40 abstracts, posters, and oral presentations.