Biography
Ryan K. Orosco, MD, FACS is Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of New Mexico and a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. He is a fellowship-trained head and neck surgical oncologist and microvascular reconstructive surgeon specializing in the comprehensive management of head and neck cancers, thyroid and parathyroid disease, salivary gland disorders, complex facial trauma, and advanced reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Orosco leads the University of New Mexico’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program, where he has developed multidisciplinary clinical initiatives that expand access to complex oncologic, reconstructive, and facial trauma care throughout New Mexico. His practice combines advanced surgical techniques with translational research to improve oncologic outcomes while preserving function and quality of life.
An internationally recognized surgeon-scientist, Dr. Orosco has served as the National Principal Investigator for multicenter Phase III clinical trials evaluating fluorescence-guided surgery technologies and has led pioneering research in molecular imaging, surgical innovation, and precision oncology. His work has helped advance fluorescence-guided surgery from early clinical development through late-stage clinical trials and has contributed to the broader adoption of image-guided surgical techniques.
Dr. Orosco has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications, with work appearing in journals including Nature, Nature Communications, Nature Genetics, JAMA Surgery, JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Annals of Surgical Oncology, Head & Neck, Cancer, and other leading surgical and oncology journals. His research spans head and neck cancer outcomes, molecular imaging, robotic surgery, microvascular reconstruction, and surgical quality improvement.
He is committed to training the next generation of surgeons through resident and medical student education while continuing to develop innovative approaches that improve the safety, precision, and effectiveness of head and neck surgery.
Clinical Interests
Head and neck surgical oncology
Oral cavity, oropharyngeal, thyroid, salivary gland, and skin cancers
Microvascular free-flap reconstruction
Oral and maxillofacial surgery
Maxillofacial traumaThyroid and parathyroid surgery
Robotic head and neck surgery
Fluorescence-guided surgery and molecular imaging
Professional Memberships
American Head and Neck Society
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
American College of Surgeons (Fellow)
Achievements & Awards
Associate Professor with Tenure, University of New Mexico
National Principal Investigator for Phase I/II and Phase III fluorescence-guided surgery clinical trials
Director, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University of New Mexico Hospital
AAO-HNS/F Physician Leadership Institute, 2026
Academy of Clinician Scholars Whitehill Award (Otolaryngology), University of California San Diego
Teacher of the Year, UC San Diego Divisions of Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery
San Diego Top Doctors, 2021 & 2022
Eagle Scout (2001)
Gender
Male