In 1961 Dr. Irving Ratner settled in San Antonio, TX and established himself as the first pediatric surgeon in the region. He envisioned a broader use for his training, and as a private pilot, flew to underserved parts of Texas and Central America, where he took care of patients and educated local physicians who didn’t have access to the level of medical care he could provide. He held fast to the notion that the patient and their families come first, and his legacy continues through The Patient Institute, created by his son Dr. Adam Ratner in 2008, a year after Dr. Irving Ratner’s passing at 78-years old while making rounds on his patients.

The Patient Institute educates seniors and their families on the complexities of aging, as we feel no patient needs us more than the senior patient. Through education, resources, and training programs for future healthcare leaders, we strive to carry on Dr. Irving Ratner’s vision: the patient is the priority.