Hello! I'm Dr. Capella!

I recently moved to Des Moines to join The Iowa Clinic to be part of a trusted, physician governed healthcare organization that provides high quality patient care and values a culture of compassionate, hardworking physicians who care about their patients and colleagues. I have nearly 20 years of experience as an Acute Care Surgeon, doing Trauma Surgery, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care.
Being a trauma surgeon provides daily exciting challenges; one never knows who or what is coming through the door next. Since nearly every patient is probably going through the worst day of their life, I find being their surgeon instantly gratifying.

I also have the privilege to teach medical students, surgery residents, nurses, physician extenders and other physicians. Over the years, I've developed and delivered numerous curricula and lectures and have published research in surgical education. Currently, I'm an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery with the University of Iowa Carver School of Medicine.
Finally, since 2001, I have joined numerous deployments with federal disaster response teams, including Hurricane Rita (2005), Haiti (2010) and Hurricane Maria (2017). I've also provided humanitarian aid in Zambia and Honduras. Currently, I serve on the Trauma and Critical Care Team (East), based in Boston.

EXPERIENCE

2018-PRESENT

Acute Care Surgeon

THE IOWA CLINIC

Attending, Acute Care Surgery

2011-2018

Acute Care Surgeon

UPMC ALTOONA

Attending, Acute Care Surgery

Assistant Medical Director, Trauma

Medical Director, Trauma Surgical ICU

2002-2011

Acute Care Surgeon

CARILION CLINIC

Attending, Acute Care Surgery

Medical Director, Surgical ICU

EDUCATION

2018-PRESENT

Acute Care Surgeon

THE IOWA CLINIC

Attending, Acute Care Surgery

2011-2018

Acute Care Surgeon

UPMC ALTOONA

Attending, Acute Care Surgery

Assistant Medical Director, Trauma

Medical Director, Trauma Surgical ICU

Vice President, Department of Surgery

2002-2011

Acute Care Surgeon

CARILION CLINIC

Attending, Acute Care Surgery

Medical Director, Surgical ICU

Surgical Director, Simulation Center

2000-2002

Acute Care Surgeon

CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

Attending, Acute Care Surgery

1989-1993

Doctor of Medicine

MEDICAL SCHOOL

University of South Florida College of Medicine

Tampa, Florida

1986-1989

Bachelor's Degree

Interdisciplinary Sciences

UNIVERSITY

University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida                                                                      

(Cum Laude. Seven‑year track of the University Honors Program  medical curriculum.)

2005-2007

Master of Education

Adult Education

UNIVERSITY

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

CERTIFICATIONS

EXPERTISE

I'M AN ACUTE CARE SURGEON

This includes Trauma Surgery, Emergency General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care.

I'M A SURGICAL EDUCATOR

I've created and delivered numerous curricula and lectures in trauma surgery, critical care, emergency general surgery, disaster response, team training, and medical communication.

I'M A DISASTER RESPONDER

I've deployed with federal response teams for nearly 20 years, including DMAT's, NMRT's and IMSuRT's.