Meet Dr. Rigo Cornejo

Rigo Cornejo, D.M.D., M.D.

It can be said that Dr. Rigo Cornejo was destined to become a dentist. He was born in El Salvador while his parents were serving a one year dental internship. Both of Dr. Cornejo’s parents, Dr. Rigoberto Cornejo and Dr. Martha Cornejo have maintained practices in dentistry for over thirty five years.

The Cornejo family relocated to Long Island, New York in 1980 where Rigo spent the remainder of his childhood. He attended New Hyde Park Memorial High School, and excelled in both academic and athletic pursuits. After high school, he attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in biology. He then continued his training at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where he obtained his dental degree.

In 1994, Dr. Cornejo was accepted to the very competitive six year program at Charity Hospital, Louisiana State University in New Orleans. There he obtained his medical degree, did one year internship in general surgery, extensive training in anesthesia and completed his training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

In 2000, Dr. Cornejo joined Dr. David Neal in private practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Since then he has been very active in the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and was elected to the board of this society. His main professional interests include oral-facial reconstruction with bone grafting and dental implants. He also treats oral-facial trauma and is a member of the Winter Haven Hospital Staff.

Dr, Cornejo’s activities and honors include: Founder Winter Haven Implant Study Club. Member of the South Florida Community College Dental Education Advisory Board, Dental Anesthesia Consultant for the Florida Department of Health, Board Member of the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Young Eagle Award 2004 Presented by The Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Cornejo is married to Dr. Stephanie Cornejo who is an orthodontist in Winter Haven. They have three children and numerous pets. They enjoy outside activities such as fishing, boating and gardening. Dr. Cornejo is involved in coaching competitive soccer and enjoys playing sports with his family and children.

Oral Surgeon, Dr. Rigo Cornejo with family
Dr Rigo Cornejo and family

Oral Surgeon, Dr. Rigo Cornejo with family at the beach
Dr Cornejo with his family at the beach

Oral Surgeon, Dr. Rigo Cornejo with his ball team
Dr Cornejo with his ball team

Curriculum Vitae

Rigoberto Cornejo, D.M.D., M.D.
400 Avenue K. South East Suite #10
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
Telephone: 863-875-0466

Licensure

Diplomate of the American Board of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery
Fellow of the American Association of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery
Diplomate of the National Dental Board Of Anesthesiology
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Florida Board of Dentistry
New York State Board of Dentistry
North East Regional Board Of Dentistry

Professional Organizations

Member of American Dental Association
Member Florida Dental Association
Member West Coast Dental Society
Member Polk County Dental Society
Member of American Medical Association
Member of Florida Society of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons
Trustee of the Florida Board of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons
Member of American Society of Dental Anesthesiology
Member of Florida Society of Dental Anesthesiology
Member of Academy of Osseointegration

Education

Louisiana State University Medical Center , New Orleans, Residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Myron Tucker, Dan Spagnoli Orthognathic Surgery Externship, Carolina Medical Center. Charlotte, North Carolina.
Louisiana State University Medical Center, Internship in General Surgery.
Louisiana State University Medical School, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, D.M.D.
University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences, B.A. Latin American History.
New Hyde Park Memorial High School, New York, High School Diploma .

Experience

Chair of the Dental Sub-såection at Winter Haven Hospital 2003-2004
Partner Neal and Cornejo Oral, Maxillofacial and Implant Surgery
Associateship OMFS Dr. David Neal DDS. PA. Winter Haven,Florida
Research Fellowship funded by Public Health Service of National Institute of Health. University of Pennsylvania. Principal Investigator Dr. Susan Silverton.

Honors

Varsity Letters in High School Athletics for Football, Wrestling, and Lacrosse.
All League high school selection for Wrestling and Lacrosse
All Ivy League Football Player for University of Pennsylvania.
Scholarship Leadership Award from Kappa Sigma Fraternity National. University of Pennsylvania
Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society
Quintesence Annual Investigator Award for graduating dental student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.
Lecturer Odontogenic Infections, Polk County Dental Society. June 12, 2001
Founder Winter Haven Implant Study Club.
South Florida Community College, Dental Education Advisory Board
Dental Anesthesia Consultant for the Florida Department of Health
Board Member Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Young Eagle Award 2004 Presented by The Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tampa , November , 2004
Treasurer of FSOMS 2005 - 2009
Vice President Florida Society OMFS 2010
Anticipated Presidency FSOMS 2012

Research

Kang, J., Cornejo, R.,Pollice, P.F., Howard, D.F., Horowitz, S.M., Silverton, S.F., Characterization of dentin adherent rat osteoclast precursors. American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Oral Abstr. September 1993, Orlando, Florida.
Pollice, P.F., Kang, J., Cornejo, R., Howard, D.F., Horowitz, S.M., Silverton, S.F., Macrophage stimulated ROS 17/2.8 Osteoblasts increase rat osteoclast precursor recruitment in vitro. American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Oral Abstr.September 1993, Orlando, Florida.
Pollice, P.F., Kang, J., Howard, D.F., Cornejo, R., Silverton, S.F., Horowitz,S.M. Macrophage stimulated ROS 17/2.8 Osteoblasts increase rat osteoclast precursor recruitment., Society for Biomaterials 19th Annual Meeting Oral Abstr., May 1993, Birmingham, Alabama.
J. Kang, R. Cornejo, K.J. Hirokawa, S. DiGiorgio, D. F. Howard, S.F.Silverton.Time Course of Recruitment, Pit Formation and Apoptosis of Osteoclasts Populations on Dentin in vitro. Cells and Materials. 1996.
R. Cornejo, M. Block. Mandibular Widening Using Skeletal to Tooth Fixation and Distraction Osteogenesis in Dogs., AAOMS 1998, Oral abstract, New Orleans. LA.
R. Cornejo, P. O'leary . Galens' Contributions. Journal of Southern Medical Society. 2000

The oral surgeons at Winter Haven Oral Surgery are dental implants specialists in Winter Haven, FL. They are expert at oral pathology, corrective jaw surgery and wisdom tooth removal. They can also diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries and TMJ disorders.