Professor Rao Ivatury: A Legacy of Surgical Decision-Making in Trauma Surgery, Excellence, Compassion, and Humility

The passing of Dr. Rao Ivatury, a trauma and general surgeon, the professor and leader of trauma in many universities, author of countless papers, book chapters, and books, mentor of generations of surgeons from around the world, and member or creator of many surgical societies and organizations around the world, on February 27, 2024 has left a profound void in the trauma surgery and critical care community worldwide. In this special essay that reflect one of the best surgical masters who taught surgical decision-making in trauma, general surgery, and surgical critical, not by preaching, but by example, I will review the life of Dr. Rao Ivatury and my personal experience in sharing a great part of my life with him.