René Sotelo, MD, has been named medical director of international medicine of Keck Medicine of USC, effective Feb. 1.

In his new role, Sotelo will chair the International Medicine Faculty Steering Committee, collaborate with other Keck Medicine leaders to monitor and evaluate international patient volumes, and provide medical oversight to the patient services team, along with providing strategic guidance on international patient care.

“This highly visible role will lead our enterprise initiatives both regionally and internationally as we continue to attract patients with complex care needs,” said Tom Jackiewicz, senior vice president and CEO of Keck Medicine of USC.

A pioneering robotic and laparoscopic surgeon, Sotelo has more than 20 years of experience practicing medicine in Latin America. He joined the Keck Medicine staff in 2015 as professor of clinical urology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is an international leader in the field of robotic surgery to treat urologic cancers and has published more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers. Sotelo’s work at Keck Medicine has led to referrals from patients across Central and South America, including Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica.

“René is an outspoken promoter of innovative surgical techniques to help heal patients, regardless of the country they call home,” Jackiewicz added.

— Douglas Morino