Dr. Salvador Z. Fortuno, MD

Dr. Salvador Z. Fortuno, M.D., age 90, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

He was born in the Republic of the Philippines on February 28, 1927, the first child of Timoteo and Benedicta Fortuno.

Dr. Fortuno attended the University of Santo Thomas Medical School where he earned his Medical Degree in 1953. After graduation and Medical Residency, he started a private practice in the town of Libmanan Camarines Sur. He later moved to the city of Naga where he joined the Surgical staff at Camarines Sur Provincial Hospital (CSPH) in 1954. After several years as a staff Physician and Surgeon, he eventually became Chief of Surgery at CSPH in the mid 1960s until 1973, when he and his family moved to the United States. Though excited about his upcoming opportunities in the United States, he regretted having to leave behind his prized gold 1957 Chevy.

Upon his arrival in the United States in 1973, Dr. Fortuno settled his family in New York City where he worked as a Surgeon at Kings Highway Hospital. He was beloved by many friends and colleagues alike while in New York where he enthusiastically embraced American culture, diversity, and cuisine. Having made many friends and contacts while in New York, he was made aware of an opportunity in Cincinnati, OH. Driven by a desire to experience as much of Americana as he could, the good doctor decided to move his family to Cincinnati in 1975.

While in Cincinnati, Dr. Fortuno worked as a staff Surgeon at Providence Hospital. Through the course of his work at Providence Hospital, he learned that in order to advance his career in the United States, and that despite his years as Chief of Surgery at CSPH in the Philippines, he would have to go through an American Medical Residency program in the United States. Having decided to go through the required American Medical Residency program, he applied for and was accepted for Residency at Euclid General Hospital in Cleveland, OH. Before leaving for Cleveland in 1978, he happily achieved one of his goals by becoming a Naturalized American Citizen.

After completing his two year Medical Residency program in Cleveland from 1978 to 1980, Dr. Fortuno returned to Cincinnati, where he decided to reside permanently. There he found a new position waiting for him back at Providence Hospital. Dr. Fortuno worked as a Providence Hospital House Physician and Surgeon from 1980 until his retirement in 1997. He was also a long time member of the AMA and APPGC.

He was an active member of the local Cincinnati Filipino community and enjoyed travel, music, and dancing. He played the piano and violin and entertained his family and friends every Christmas with a large party including music and dancing.

He was a devout Catholic and longtime member of St. John the Baptist Church on Dry Ridge; he was also known for his generosity and dedication to his family, friends, profession, and church.

He was an ardent supporter of U.S. Military Veterans and regularly donated to theParalyzed Veterans of Americaand other charities that support U.S. Military Veterans. If interested, the family would be honored by a donation in his name to those worthy charities.

Dr. Salvador Z. Fortuno is survived by his loving and devoted wife Angela, two children (and their spouses), his beloved granddaughter, two sisters, along with many nieces and nephews in the United States and in the Philippines

A Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2017 from 9am - 12 Noon at St. John the Baptist Church, located at 5361 Dry Ridge Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45252; Visitation is from 9am - 11am with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11am. Following the Mass, internment will be at Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

Services:

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 11AM