Dr. Raul Sierra

Dr. Raul Sierra went to be with the Lord April 13, 2019 at the age of 99. Born April 6, 1920 in Zulueta,Cuba, Raul graduated with his medical degree from the University of Havana in 1947. He came to the United States in 1951 to begin his Internship Program at Englewood Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. He began working as an emergency room physician at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, Illinois were he worked for many years. In the early 1960’s he began working at Manteno State Psychiatric Hospital, where he became Director of one of the first substance abuse programs in the state of Illinois. He relocated to Tampa in 1973 and began his private practice as a general practitioner. He was on staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital for 38 years where he served a term as Chief of Staff during his tenure. He also served as Chief of Staff at Centro Español Hospital and was Medical Director at many local nursing homes, ALF’s, and Home Health Care companies.

Raul was Catholic by faith and a member of Incarnation Catholic Church; he was also a member of the American Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association. He devoted his life to being a physician and caring for his patients with compassion. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and those memories will be forever cherished.

He was preceded in death by his parents Agustin Sierra Gonzalez and Juana Pedroso Carrillo; his siblings, Jose Agustin, Orlando, Ines Maria, Elsita and Aidita. Raul is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years Martha E. Sierra; his loving children, Kevin Sierra MD (Diane), Bryan Sierra, Tammy Wilson, Lisa Alina Carter (Eddie), Patty Zarate (John), Karen E. Morejon (Hector) and Raul Jose Sierra. Raul is also survived by his 11 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and his many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to his caregivers, Mierlys, Yunetsy, Enelsa, Nancy and Adilana,the staff at Medicor Healthcare, his physicians, and the ER and nursing staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital who took such excellent care of him over the past few years.

In lieu of flowers the family appreciates any donations to be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.