Dr. Marie Fidela Paraiso is a distinguished leader in women's health and pelvic reconstructive surgery with decades of clinical and academic excellence. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health Institute at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, where she also maintains her role as Staff Physician in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. Dr. Paraiso earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her specialized fellowship in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1993 to 1996, establishing the foundation for her distinguished career in pelvic floor disorders. She has sustained a strong academic presence as Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine with Case Western Reserve University, where she has significantly contributed to medical education and training programs.
Dr. Paraiso's groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced the field of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, particularly through her comparative analyses of robotic-assisted versus traditional laparoscopic techniques for pelvic reconstructive procedures. Her seminal 2011 prospective study comparing robotic and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy provided critical evidence regarding operating time efficiency and has been instrumental in guiding clinical practice decisions for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse across the medical community. She has made significant contributions to the development and refinement of surgical approaches for urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse repair, and complex hysterectomy procedures that have improved patient outcomes worldwide. Her leadership in the ACell MatriStem Pelvic Floor Matrix Versus Native Tissue Repair clinical trial has further advanced the evidence base for optimal treatment strategies in pelvic floor disorders, demonstrating her commitment to evidence-based surgical innovation.
Beyond her clinical and research excellence, Dr. Paraiso has profoundly influenced the field through her leadership as Immediate Past President of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and her service on the Board of Directors of the American Urogynecologic Society. She serves as Director of the Pelvic Floor Disorders Center at Lakewood Hospital, where she has established a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to treating complex pelvic floor conditions that integrates urologic and gynecologic expertise. Dr. Paraiso maintains a joint appointment in the Cleveland Clinic Urological Institute, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration that transcends traditional specialty boundaries. Her ongoing research continues to explore innovative applications of robotic technology in urogynecology while maintaining rigorous scientific standards to ensure patient safety and optimal outcomes, cementing her legacy as a transformative figure in women's health care worldwide.
