Dr. Marco Rodriguez
Dr. Marco Rodriguez was born in Lorain, Ohio. Raised in a loving Puerto Rican household by his parents, Angel and Maria Rodriguez, along with his two brothers and sister, he learned the values of hard work, humility, and service early on.
Lorain’s diversity shaped Marco’s worldview. He grew up in a neighborhood where cultures blended, neighbors supported one another, and children from humble beginnings were encouraged to dream big. Stories of his grandfathers and other Puerto Rican men who came to work at US Steel in the 1950s instilled in him a deep respect for perseverance and sacrifice.
Faith and language were central to his upbringing. At Sagrado Corazo n Catholic Parish, Marco found both a spiritual home and a cultural anchor. Masses in Spanish and prayers at home reinforced his roots. These early influences now allow him to connect more deeply with patients—more than a third of whom are Spanish-speaking. Communicating in their language helps build trust and deliver care with empathy and respect.
Marco’s education began in Lorain’s Head Start and Neighborhood House programs. A turning point came at Garfield Elementary. After getting into trouble for drawing on his desk, he was given a detention. But his teacher, Mrs. Roden, saw potential rather than misbehavior. She recommended him for the newly formed Academy Program at Hawthorne. That opportunity introduced him to a more challenging curriculum and helped him realize that being curious and creative was a gift, not a problem.
At Admiral King High School, Marco excelled both academically and athletically. He was a three-year starter on the football team, captain his senior year, and earned Academic All-Conference and All-County honors. He recalls long hours in the weight room and hundreds of “fourth-quarter” up-downs that built not only physical strength but mental fortitude. He also participated in baseball, soccer, basketball, the show choir “Animation Express,” and even took the stage as the Jester in “Once Upon a Mattress.”
After graduating in 1995, Marco received a Naval ROTC scholarship but chose to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in Spanish and Pre-Professional Studies. Studying Spanish was a deliberate choice—both to honor his heritage and to better serve his future patients. He earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and matched into orthopedic surgery at LSU in New Orleans. During his residency, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Marco treated patients at a makeshift clinic set up on a highway. A Univision news crew, in need of a Spanish-speaking physician, interviewed him. The segment aired nationally—and eventually appeared in THE MORNING JOURNAL highlighting how his roots continued to guide his path.
Marco went on to complete a spine surgery fellowship at the Texas Back Institute, a pioneer in artificial disc replacement. He began his practice in South Carolina but soon returned to Louisiana—where he had trained and met his wife, Kiki.
Today, Dr. Rodriguez practices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, specializing in endoscopic spine surgery—the least invasive surgical option for many spine conditions. He also serves as a medical expert in injury litigation, helping clarify complex spine trauma cases.
Marco’s greatest joy is his family and faith. He and Kiki are raising four children in Baton Rouge. He leads ACTS retreats, participates in Bible study, and gives back through faith-based outreach and service.
Dr. Marco Rodriguez stands as a proud son of Lorain. The diversity, faith, and educational support he received there continue to shape him. Though he now serves patients hundreds of miles away, the values instilled in him by his family, his community, and Lorain City Schools remain at the center of who he is.
Dr. Marco Rodriguez's Induction Speech