Carlos Kugler, M.D.
Fifth-Year Resident

Carlos Kugler, M.D. was born and raised in Maracaibo,Venezuela. In 1998 he obtained his medical degree from the University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela, followed by a required year of general practice to obtain a full Venezuelan medical license. He then completed two years of an orthopaedic surgery residency at the University Hospital of Maracaibo and decided to pursue a higher level of postgraduate training in the United States.

During eight months as a research fellow in the Department of Orthopaedic Oncology at the University of Miami, Miami, Florida, Dr. Kugler’s projects included study of metastatic lesions of the foot and ankle and quality of life of patients with metastatic bone disease. He also conducted an analysis of results in patients who had radical resection for metastatic disease to bone. Following the fellowship, he completed a surgical intern year at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. At the Mayo Clinic Dr. Kugler participated in a project involving analysis of long-term follow-up of patients with total knee arthroplasties.

Dr. Kugler joined the USC Orthopaedic Surgery residency program in July 2004. His research interests involve the use of polymer composites in vertebral fusion and fracture healing. He enjoys water sports, tennis and playing the piano.