Laredo Neurosurgeon Carlos Estrada Dies at 69

Carlos Ricardo Estrada, D.O., a well-known and respected neurosurgeon based in Laredo, Texas, passed away on March 9, 2023, at the age of 69.

Dr. Estrada opened his neurosurgical practice in Laredo in 1996 following his residencies at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Hofstra University, both in New York. Dr. Estrada was affiliated with Laredo Medical Center and Doctors Hospital of Laredo.

Never one to sit on his laurels, Estrada was constantly sharpening his knowledge and surgical skills. After moving to Texas, Dr. Estrada was, for a time, a fellow in spinal surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

He was certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery in 2004. And in 2005, he was designated Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeon.

He most recently served as Stroke Program Medical Director at Laredo Medical Center and as an adjunct professor at University of the Incarnate Word. Dr. Estrada authored many scientific articles and was a regular participant in medical conferences around the world.

Estrada earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1990. After graduating he entered the internship program at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, from 1990 to 1991. He then did his neurological surgery at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell between 1991 and 1995.

Estrada lived in many parts of the world before settling in Texas. He was born in Mexico City on May 31, 1953, and grew up in Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, he studied architectural engineering. After the massive earthquake of 1972, however, he moved to Belgium. It wasn’t until he was in Europe that he began his medical studies.

“His healing touch, professional manner, and commitment to patient service quality will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him,” his family wrote.

He is survived by his sons, Edward and Carl Estrada; and his siblings, Mario Estrada, Javier Estrada, Julio Estrada, Martha E. Plut, and Miguel Estrada. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mario Ignacio and Virginia Estrada-Martinez, and brother, Jose Alejandro Estrada.