About Me
I’m an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon with many clinical and research interests, including head oncology, swallowing disorders, salivary gland disorders, sialendoscopy, endoscopic sinus surgery, and endoscopic and open skull base surgery. I am a member of The Ohio State University’s Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, which I joined in 2011 as a tenured professor, as well as director of the Comprehensive Skull Base Surgery Program and co-director of the Anatomy Laboratory Toward Visuospatial Innovation in Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery (ALT-VISION), a research and education lab. I was also named to the Castle Connolly list of "America's Top Doctors" from 2014 to 2019.
In 2014, the OSUCCC – James received a five-year, $11 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence grant from the National Cancer Institute to study thyroid cancer. I am co-leading one of the projects being supported by the grant: a study that attempts to identify biomarkers of damage to salivary glands and find new ways of protecting them from damage they can incur during thyroid cancer treatment.
Being part of OSUCCC – James has been a highlight of my career because it represents the cutting edge of treatment and of research. New technologies help us get to tumors that used to be impossible to reach — especially ones in the skull base. They also allow our multidisciplinary teams to perform minimally invasive surgeries with much faster recovery times.
I have been a doctor for over 35 years and served in the Air Force Reserve for five as a major in the medical corps. I’ve published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, and edited, co-edited, or co-written more than a dozen medical books. I was raised in Puerto Rico and am bilingual in English and Spanish. I also have conversational skills in Portuguese and speak a little Italian and French.
Highlights
- Named to the Castle Connolly list of “America's Top Doctors”; "American's Top Doctors for Cancer"; "Regional Top Doctors"
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2017, 2018
- Best Doctor in America, 2017
Procedures and Conditions I Treat
- Melanoma
- Otolaryngology
- Skin Cancers
- Oropharyngeal Cancers
- Mouth Cancers
- Laryngeal Cancers
- Lip Cancers
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Skull Base Tumors
- Jaw Cancers
- Paraganglioma
- Pituitary Tumor
- Facial Cancers
- Bell Palsy
- Facial Nerve Diseases
- Facial Paralysis
- Goiter
- Graves Disease
- Jaw Diseases
- Mandibular Diseases
- Maxillary Diseases
- Maxillofacial Injuries
- Mouth Diseases
- Nasal Surgical Procedures
- Nose Diseases
- Nose Cancers
- Parathyroid Cancers
- Parathyroid Diseases
- Pharyngeal Diseases
- Pharyngeal Cancers
- Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
- Thyroid Cancer
Locations Where I Practice
400 Altair Pkwy
Suite 4200
Westerville, OH 43082
614-366-3687
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Education and Training
Education History
Medical School
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR
8/8/1977 - 6/5/1981
Internship
VA Medical Center-San Juan, Puerto Rico GME, San Juan, PR
7/1/1981 - 6/30/1982
Residency
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR
7/1/1982 - 6/30/1987
Fellowship
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
7/1/1989 - 6/30/1990
Board Certification
American Board of Otolaryngology
10/9/1987
Academic Information
My Department
Otolaryngology
My Division
Otolaryngology
Reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
403 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
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Overall
4.9 out of 5
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Kept you informed about your condition and treatment
4.8 out of 5
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Amount of time spent with you
4.7 out of 5
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Concern for your questions and issues
4.9 out of 5
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Skill and knowledge
4.9 out of 5
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Overall quality of care
4.8 out of 5
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 09/30/2024, Dr. Carrau has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- KLS Martin USA
- Stanford University
- Oviedo University
I have nothing but praise for Dr. Carrau and the staff.
Explained everything in a way I understood and made me feel better about what I am getting ready to go through.
Excellent
They very caring and straight forward about my needs
Dr. Ricardo Carrell is ALWAYS very kind and sincere
My care giver is very good, explains things well,and also teaches his students good
Dr Carrau is very compassionate & always allows us time to talk about our concerns.
The nursing staff and Dr. Carrau are always professional and courteous. I would highly recommend them.
Dr Curau and Dr Prevedello have both provided excellent medical care and have ensured understanding.
I had an impressive care team from my diagnosis and surgery five years ago. I still have an impressive care team for each follow-up and SLP visit. My only concern is that I wish I could have a follow up PET scan, but my insurance does not cover that. However, I do get chest X-Rays each year and those are pretty telling. Overall, I have not a single complaint or regret concerning my treatment at the James. I would recommend them above anyone else.
Dr Carrau is exceptional!!
Dr. Carrau is the BEST!! He is always knowledgeable about my issue and he is very positive with my follow up visit.
Dr. Carrau is amazing!!
My Drs are excellent
Excellent experience from every team member from start to discharge.
Best Doctor ever in his field
All good
Awesome team
The care provider explained everything in detail for me and my wife it helped us understand everything what was happening to me .
Great beyond words
Excellent support and concern.
All excellent
Dr. Carrau md great
Dr.Carrau is fantastic along with his staff.
Good Experience
Dr Carrau is the best
I saw multiple providers and all of the were kind and attentive.
My provider is Dr. Riccardo Carrau. He is extremely knowledgeable and personable. I consider myself lucky to have him as a care provider.
Great team, I recommend them highly.
Knew what the treatment was and what the expectations were
Love his bedside manner! I'm going to miss seeing him.
My care provider understands the issue and I believe is as concered as I am.
I don't see how anyone could provide better service or care.
Love this man! So talented.
If I have a concern or question, Dr. Carrau listens and doesn't race out the door.
Dr Crauaru is very good and nice I would recommend him to anyone.
Very caring and kind.
Good
Excellent care
I'm confident in my doctor's and their care for my well-being
Dr. Carrau is the very best. I am blessed to have him as my surgeon.
Dr. Carrau and the entire staff has been exceptional during this whole 6+ years process for me. I have always felt that I was in the absolute best care facility with the best care providers!
Dr. Carrau is the best when it comes to caring, sharing options, and knowing what the problem is in the first place. He is straightforward and answers all questions.
Doc was good
Excellent experience. Dr Carrau is definitely one of a kind. Best doctor I've ever seen and the kind of person that excels in his field.
Doctor is great
Dr. Carrau is awesome, when I had surgery couple years ago, he got all the cancer during surgery.
I'm sure he's one of the best. His concern and compassion about the problem you be having is wonderful
I'm. Impressed
All very professional and knowledgeable
I can't say enough office things about Dr. Carrau. The VA referred me to him so knowing he is a Veteran as well was a nice surprise and put me at ease. As a suggestion, maybe military Veterans could have something on their ID or labcoat. It definitely is a conversation starter and allows others to thank them for their service.
Above and beyond in every aspect! No complaints.
Can't say enough. Everyone was fantastic. Whatever the mass is,I feel good that this is the place to take care of it
Extremely happy with provider and his staff. Always knows what is going on with me before he enters the room.
Dr Carrau is probably the friendliest most professional doctor I've ever seen. I also very much appreciate his surgical skills which provided an excellent outcome for me.
After speaking and seeing the Oncology Dr. And staff having our questions answered anxiety was lessened and was given a more positive outlook than received by hometown physicians. Great job by Dr. Carreau and staff that met with me and assisted in the swallow test and answering and addressing my concerns.
They spent enough time to answer our questions and explain procedures.
I didn't have many questions because I trust the doctor to make the best decision for my condition.