Bringing beauty back home
State of the art plastic surgery in St. Croix
Maura Curley
While many islanders still seek success in the mainland Dr.Robert Centeno, has bought his extraordinary expertise back home to St. Croix.
Centeno, who was reared in Frederiksted, left the island 22 years ago to pursue his dream of being a doctor. Now he’s a well-respected plastic surgeon, with a state of the art practice in Christiansted, known asSt. Croix Plastic Surgery and Medi Spa.
“ I always planned to come back to practice here,” he says, pointing out that as a high school student in St. Croix he received a Benne and Martha Benjamin Foundation Scholarship, for training in health. It stipulated that the recipient make a commitment to return to the island. Centeno says he never forgot his pledge.
His journey to the states and back to the Caribbean has been paved with discipline and dedication.
After earning a biology degree from Dickinson University in Pennsylvania Centeno simultaneously earned a medical degree at Drexel University Medical School and an MBA in health care management at Wharton.
On the heels of residencies in general and plastic surgery, scoring in the top six percentile of the National Plastic Surgery in service training exam and achieving the honor of executive chief resident, he was awarded a prestigious fellowship at New York University’s Medical Center.
Centeno says this medical center in Manhattan has the busiest plastic surgery department in the entire nation, with a well-seasoned staff of surgeons. He says he’s grateful he had the opportunity to learn from the best.
In 2002 Centeno was one of three surgeons who founded Body Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Skin Care in St. Louis. He has since returned to his native St. Croix to join the staff of Juan Luis Hospital and establish his own practice.
St. Croix Plastic Surgery and Medi Spa offers elective cosmetic services not previously offered in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They range from non-invasive botox, skin resurfacing and varicose vein therapy to complete facelifts and body contouring.
Centeno wants to develop his practice into a “ first rate cosmetic surgery center in the Caribbean,” where patients can get the most up to date procedures, and leaders in the filed “can exchange information to elevate levels of care.”
He often lectures at medical conferences where he often speaks about body contouring surgery.
Articulate and personable, Centeno is also a curious scientist, interested in the latest beauty technologies. He is currently involved in clinical trials, dealing with a new facial rejuvenation product, and autologous fat transfer for breast reduction and reconstruction. He has also developed his own line of prescriptive skincare known as Juenesse of St. Croix.
Centeno believes he came back home at the perfect time.
He says he feels a “ renaissance” coming to St. Croix, and wants to be a part of it.
St. Croix Plastic Surgery and Medispa patient coordinator Lisa Vargo and Dr. Robert Centeno in St. Croix.
virginvoices.com photo by Lee A.Lashley
Maura Curley is publisher of virginvoices.com
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