Richard Payha MD, FACS
Fort Lauderdale,Florida
Summary
Board-certified General and Breast Surgeon with a career spanning rural critical access hospitals, urban settings, and academic practice. Known for delivering broad surgical care, leading breast health initiatives, and mentoring learners to support safe, coordinated patient care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
General Surgeon and Adjunct Professor
LECOM
Erie, Pennsylvania
08.2026 - Current
- Performed general surgery procedures in operating rooms
- Evaluated surgical patients in LECOM-affiliated clinical settings
- Supervised interns or residents involved in patient care activities.
- Engaged with LECOM medical staff to ensure comprehensive treatment planning
Locum Tenens General Surgery
Ferrell Hospital
Eldorado, IL
01.2023 - 06.2026
- - Maintained access to General and Breast Surgery, GI endoscopy, and wound care in rural Critical Access Hospital through 2–3 week coverage blocks.
- - Coordinated continuity across clinic, inpatient, and ER settings to expedite consults and procedures in resource-limited environment.
- - Facilitated high-quality, compassionate care for diverse population by coordinating timely evaluations and interventions.
General Surgeon and Adjunct Professor
Allegheny Health Network @ Forbes Hospital
Monroeville, PA
08.2017 - 08.2022
- - Directed care from diagnosis through postoperative recovery, applying clinical data to individualize surgical plans and strengthen outcomes.
- - Executed diverse surgical procedures, focusing on breast surgery, hernia repair, cholecystectomy, bowel surgery, and soft tissue excisions to address community health needs.
- - Responded to emergent surgical presentations, exercising sound judgment and advanced technical skill in acute settings.
- - Guided surgical residents, medical students, and PA students, enhancing training quality and fostering collaboration within surgical team.
- - Cultivated strong relationships with patients and staff to facilitate coordinated, patient-centered care.
Adjunct Professor
Seton Hill University
Greensburg, PA
12.2003 - 07.2022
- - Taught General Surgery to PA students for 20 years, ensuring mastery of core surgical principles and effective perioperative management.
- - Precepted learners in OR and clinic, facilitating application of didactic knowledge to ensure safe, effective patient care.
- Taught undergraduate courses at Seton Hill University using assigned syllabus and course goals.
- Developed lesson plans for lectures, discussions, readings, and classroom activities.
- Evaluated student writing, projects, and exams with clear academic standards.
General Surgeon and Director Breast Health Center
Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital
Greensburg, PA
06.1996 - 08.2017
- - Performed general surgery procedures while establishing Breast Health Center.
- - Developed coordinated pathways for breast care, enhancing access and streamlining evaluation and treatment.
- Performed inpatient and outpatient surgeries at Westmoreland Hospital surgical services.
- Evaluated emergency department consults for acute abdominal and trauma cases.
- Conducted preoperative assessments and surgical planning with hospital care teams.
Surgeon/Co-Owner, Board Member
Laurel Surgical Center
12.2002 - 12.2012
- - Chaired Surgery department and served as Board Member, steering governance, quality oversight, and strategic planning initiatives.
- - Performed outpatient procedures, ensuring adherence to best practices and patient safety standards to optimize patient care.
- - Co-founded and designed freestanding, multi-specialty surgical and GI center, enhancing outpatient access for the community.
Surgeon
Waynesburg Hospital
Waynesburg, PA
08.1993 - 05.1996
- - Practiced broad-based General Surgery in a rural hospital to meet community surgical needs.
- - Coordinated care across general, limited orthopedic, and obstetrics/gynecology scopes, ensuring essential access to surgical services.
- - Delivered on-call coverage and performed urgent procedures effectively under challenging conditions.
Education
Internship/Residency -
Wright State University
Dayton, OH01-1993
Medical Doctor -
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA01-1988
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Blacksburg, VA01-1984
Skills
- General Surgery
- Breast Surgery
- GI Endoscopies
- Surgical innovation
- Wound Care
- Medical Training
- Healthcare Management
Personal Information
Title: General and Breast Surgeon
Certification
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Active, PA Medical License #MD-050114-L, FL Medical License #ME 161749, IL Medical License # 036.164055, NPI 1396734745, Fellow of American College of Surgeons, Board Certification General Surgery 1997 -2027
Accomplishments
- - Father of two, including a daughter who is an architect in Philadelphia and a daughter in medical sales in Charlotte.
- - Elected school board member for two terms while children were in school.
- - Volunteer for a Pittsburgh non-profit serving people experiencing homelessness and addiction, including weekly outside rounds.
- - Longstanding volunteer with 4-H Equine and the County Fair.
Timeline
General Surgeon and Adjunct Professor
LECOM
08.2026 - Current
Locum Tenens General Surgery
Ferrell Hospital
01.2023 - 06.2026
General Surgeon and Adjunct Professor
Allegheny Health Network @ Forbes Hospital
08.2017 - 08.2022
Adjunct Professor
Seton Hill University
12.2003 - 07.2022
Surgeon/Co-Owner, Board Member
Laurel Surgical Center
12.2002 - 12.2012
General Surgeon and Director Breast Health Center
Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital
06.1996 - 08.2017
Surgeon
Waynesburg Hospital
08.1993 - 05.1996
Internship/Residency -
Wright State University
Medical Doctor -
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute