Get to know more about Dr. Araujo’s journey to delivering cutting-edge general surgery care to patients in the Central Valley.
In this Q&A we get to know more about his background, what inspired him to become a doctor, and why he is now in the Central Valley providing exceptional care to his patients.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a General Surgeon and about joining Inspire Health Medical Group.
I’m originally from Brazil. I moved to the United States when I was 12 years old. Over the years, I’ve lived in several other countries. For a while, I lived in Austria, where I learned German, and I also spent some time in France, picking up a bit of French. I attended college at a small liberal arts institution called Columbia Union College in the Washington, D.C. area, which I chose for its cultural diversity. After completing my degree, I lived in Spain for a year, working near Valencia. Following that, I began medical school at Loma Linda University in Southern California. After graduating from medical school, I moved to Orlando, Florida, where I completed my general surgery residency. Once I finished residency, I relocated to the Midwest and lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for a while.
Eventually, I made my way back to California, where I have spent the past seven years in Northern California. Recently, I moved to the Central Valley to join Inspire Health.
What inspired you to become a doctor?
What inspired me to become a doctor—specifically a surgeon—was my experience traveling to Africa during college. One of my first encounters with medicine involved a man who had stepped on a landmine in Tanzania, near the Congo, where there was an active conflict at the time. I had the opportunity to join the surgical team in the operating room and care for this patient. I even followed his recovery process. After that initial experience, I returned to Africa multiple times, each time participating in the surgical aspects of the hospital. This exposure to life in the operating room solidified my decision to pursue a career as a surgeon.
Why the Central Valley?
I recently moved to the Central Valley for several reasons. First, my wife is a native of the Fresno/Clovis area. I also enjoy the outdoors, and there are three national parks nearby. Fresno is centrally located in California, providing easy access to both Southern and Northern California. Additionally, the area boasts a vast cultural diversity, which I greatly appreciate.
What is general surgery?
At Inspire Health Medical Group – General Surgery, I provide patients with access to both minimally invasive laparoscopic and traditional open surgical techniques, all performed to the highest standards of care. I am skilled in a wide range of surgical procedures involving soft tissues, from excising small skin lesions and cysts to larger operations like colectomies, bowel and liver surgeries (including gallbladder removal), and complex hernia repairs. I am committed to reducing wait times and increasing the availability of general surgery services for the people of the Central Valley. I believe that every surgery—no matter how major or minor—is life-changing and deserves to be treated with the utmost importance.
Services Offered:
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with Biopsy
- Exploratory Laparotomy
- Laparoscopic Procedures
- Exploratory Surgery
- Gallbladder Removal
- Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Cholecystectomy (Mass Excision)
- Port-a-cath Placement
- Umbilical Hernia Repair
- Ventral Hernia Repair
- Cyst or Solid Lesion Removal
- and more…
What are some indications that someone should come see you?
It’s important to be aware of certain signs and symptoms that may indicate the need for surgical evaluation. If you notice any new lumps on your skin, especially those that are painful, it’s essential to seek advice. Other warning signs include intermittent abdominal pain accompanied by nausea, as well as any new skin conditions or infections. You should consider consulting your primary care physician about surgical care if you observe any bulges in your abdominal wall or groin area, particularly if they are enlarging and associated with pain. Additionally, pay attention to intermittent abdominal pain, especially if it occurs after eating and is accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Symptoms such as reflux disease, characterized by burning in the chest, or new skin conditions involving lumps, masses, or drainage from the skin should also prompt you to seek guidance from a general surgeon.