Pediatric surgeon Patrick C. Bonasso II, MD, MBA, joined the West Virginia University School of Medicine faculty as an assistant professor of pediatric surgery in 2022, but, in some ways, he had been with WVU Medicine for many years, having attended undergrad, medical school, and residency at WVU in Morgantown. And, his West Virginia roots go even deeper.
“I’m from 20 miles away in Fairmont,” Dr. Bonasso said. “West Virginia is home for me, and I’m excited to serve my community and, hopefully, make a positive difference for the children and families here.”
Before joining WVU Medicine Children’s as the pediatric trauma director, Dr. Bonasso spent time at a clinical fellowship at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. His homecoming happened to fall during an exciting time for WVU Medicine Children’s.
“People from West Virginia want to be taken care of here with a high level of care. We can now do that better with the opening of the Children’s Hospital,” Dr. Bonasso said. “Families don’t need to leave the state to get the care they need. We perform high-complexity procedures with positive outcomes for patients, right here.”
As a pediatric general and thoracic surgeon in the Critical Care and Trauma Center, Dr. Bonasso is passionate about caring for kids and families. World-renowned care is available right here at WVU Medicine Children’s, and the teams work passionately and tirelessly to uncover new approaches and best practices that continuously impact care delivery and improve outcomes.
“As we’re working in our newly built hospital, my goal is to build protocols to elevate care for our patients,” Dr. Bonasso said. “Pediatric surgery is my passion. In my role, I organize care for kids with trauma and congenital anomalies, and I am proud to play a part in giving kids the best, life-changing care.”
Dr. Bonasso and his colleagues provide the full spectrum of general and thoracic surgical care for children, including:
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair
- Neonatal surgery
- Pediatric surgical oncology
- Pediatric surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Vascular access
“I have four kids, and working with kids is something I’ve always enjoyed because helping to change kids’ lives is the most rewarding experience I can imagine,” Dr. Bonasso said.
With the opening of the new state-of-the-art Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, Dr. Bonasso is filling a new role at WVU Medicine as the pediatric trauma medical director. He is motivated to create an environment where the team can provide children with the highest standard of trauma care.
“Treating children and adults is not the same,” Dr. Bonasso said. “Our job is to bring the same level of specialty care in a way that supports and provides the best outcomes for kids and their families.”
In his free time, Dr. Bonasso enjoys cheering on WVU sports, fly fishing, and spending time outdoors with his wife, Marissa, four children, and their golden retriever. Most of all, he enjoys being home, back in West Virginia, and working to bring care to his community.
“I’m excited to be back here,” Dr. Bonasso said. “Having grown up here, one aspect that drives me is that I can do something I enjoy and support the state that I love at the same time.”
