Internationally recognized surgeon and scientist Jose L. Peiro Ibanez, MD, PhD, has joined Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone as the director of the newly established NYU Langone Advanced Fetal Care Center. The center is designed to integrate specialized fetal and neonatal care with maternal–fetal medicine across the health system. Dr. Peiro, who has significant experience in performing complex surgeries on babies before and immediately after birth, also becomes a professor in the Department of Surgery and a member of its Division of Pediatric Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Previously, Dr. Peiro was director of endoscopic fetal surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center and a professor of surgery at University of Cincinnati Medical College.
“Building on the success of our Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Program, established in 2017, we are thrilled to now evolve into the NYU Langone Advanced Fetal Care Center to better serve families facing complex diagnoses,” said Jason C. Fisher, MD, director of Children’s Surgical Services at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Dr. Peiro is internationally recognized both as a pioneer of cutting-edge fetal surgical techniques and as a visionary scientist committed to fostering innovation in fetal therapy. Dr. Peiro’s arrival builds on NYU Langone’s strong foundation of caring for complex prenatal diagnoses, further advancing our ability to provide exceptional, compassionate care to children and families. It is an honor and privilege to have him join our community.”
In the United States, about one out of every 33 newborns is born with a birth defect. At NYU Langone last year, around 700 out of 14,000 babies delivered received specialized care through the previous Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Program. The new Advanced Fetal Care Center expands on this by offering minimally invasive fetal surgeries such as fetoscopic laser procedures for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, repair for spina bifida, shunt placement for fluid buildup relief, prenatal interventions for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedures for airway management during delivery. The center brings together specialists from maternal–fetal medicine, genetics, diagnostics, pediatric surgery, cardiology, neurosurgery, urology, otolaryngology, neonatology, and anesthesiology to provide coordinated care before and after birth.
“From early in my training, I was captivated by the idea that we could intervene in fetal life to change a child’s future,” said Dr. Peiro. “Every case requires precision, empathy, and clear communication with the families navigating these diagnoses. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how these procedures can make a lifetime of difference, and I’m honored to join NYU Langone and work with a team dedicated to supporting families from diagnosis through delivery and beyond.”
Dr. Peiro’s research focuses on conditions that affect fetuses such as spina bifida (a spinal defect), hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain), gastroschisis (intestines developing outside the abdomen), and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (a hole in the diaphragm affecting breathing). He is also working on new treatments using cells for healing and tissue regeneration.
“Few areas of medicine embody both the fragility and resilience of life like fetal surgery,” said Robert Montgomery, MD, DPhil, chair of the Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Dr. Peiro’s recruitment underscores NYU Langone’s commitment to advancing what’s possible in surgical care for children through innovation, compassion, and hope.”
Dr. Peiro will see patients at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital—34th Street location as well as at the Mignone Women’s Health Collaborative at NYU Langone.
“Families facing complex prenatal diagnoses deserve a team they can trust every step of the way,” said Ashley S. Roman, MD, MPH. “With the fetal surgery team and other Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital specialists seeing patients physically at the Mignone Women’s Collaborative alongside maternal–fetal medicine, we ensure seamless collaboration and the highest level of care for both the pregnant person and fetus, no matter the diagnosis.”
The integrated model extends across all NYU Langone campuses including Long Island where Martin R. Chavez leads maternal–fetal medicine services at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island.
“By collaborating closely with Dr. Peiro and the entire team, we can provide families on Long Island with the same advanced fetal therapies and coordinated expertise,” said Dr. Chavez. “This collaborative approach allows us to deliver care that is seamless, innovative, and tailored to each family’s needs.”
Dr. Peiro comes from Barcelona where he earned his medical degree from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. After completing his pediatric surgery residency at Hospital Vall d’Hebron he participated in an observership at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia before returning home to help develop leading fetal surgery programs—including Europe’s first fetoscopic spina bifida repair before birth—and Spain’s first EXIT procedure for airway blockages during delivery. In 2013 he moved back to the U.S., joining Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Throughout his career Dr. Peiro has authored or co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications or abstracts; presented nationally/internationally; served as chair or member within several professional societies; developed new programs worldwide; taught peers globally; and currently chairs innovations committee for North American Fetal Therapy Network.
