Mauricio Herrera, MD: Orthopedic Surgeon at Miami Institute for Joint Reconstruction

Dr. Mauricio Herrera is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon at the Miami Institute for Joint Reconstruction, where his passion for helping patients return to their active lives is evident in everything he does. With over 16 years in Miami and roots in Queens, New York, Dr. Herrera brings a unique blend of cultural fluency, grit, and compassion to his practice.

Born to Colombian parents and raised in the diverse neighborhoods of Queens, Dr. Herrera credits his upbringing with teaching him how to connect with people from all walks of life—an invaluable skill for a physician. Speaking Spanish at home helped him become the empathetic, bilingual surgeon he is today. “I couldn’t be happier living and working in Miami,” he says.

For Dr. Herrera, medicine is more than a career—it’s a calling. “I love making my patients better and hearing they were able to return to work or complete that triathlon they’d been training for.

That’s what keeps me going,” he explains. His path to orthopedics began during his time volunteering at the Manhattan VA Hospital, where the mentorship of medical students inspired him to pursue medicine. “That’s when I knew I wanted to be a doctor. I truly feel like I have my dream job.”

But the journey isn’t without challenges. One of the most frustrating aspects of his role is dealing with delays in patient care—often caused by systemic inefficiencies. “When a patient with a small rotator cuff tear waits too long for surgery, that tear can worsen. Delayed MRIs and referrals make it harder to achieve a full recovery,” he explains.

When it comes to treating workers’ compensation patients, Dr. Herrera takes a clear and focused approach. “These patients often come in with multiple issues, but my role is to focus on the joint I can improve. I try to lay the groundwork early, so they know what I can and can’t treat.”

If he could change one thing about the workers’ compensation system, it would be to streamline access to early diagnostics. “Every injured worker should get an MRI early on. It would save time, reduce unnecessary physical therapy, and get them in front of the right specialist faster.”

As for his own wellness philosophy? Dr. Herrera keeps it simple: “Exercise 3 to 5 days a week and eat well. Staying healthy is everything.”

With his no-nonsense perspective, deep empathy, and commitment to patient outcomes, Dr. Herrera continues to be a trusted and respected name in the world of orthopedic care.