John Clifford German, MD

For more than 35 years, Dr. German has taken a leadership role in shaping pediatric surgery in Orange County. He received his medical training at the University of California, Irvine, and returned as an assistant professor in 1975. He helped develop neonatal ECMO support and NEC care by developing staging criteria for surgery.

In 1982, Dr. German participated in the CHOC ECMO program. He began pioneering minimally invasive surgeries at CHOC in 1994.

In full-time practice since 1982, Dr. German has served on multiple committees of national societies, including the American Pediatric Surgery Association. He served on the board of governors for the American College of Surgeons for six years. Additionally, he has been active in the Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, where he has held every position including president.