Russel Pineda, PA-C
Physician Assistant — Head & Neck Surgery
Russel Pineda, PA-C is a board-certified Physician Assistant based in San Diego, California, with over six years of clinical experience across head and neck surgery, pain management, and primary care. He currently practices in head and neck surgery, where he provides comprehensive care for patients with complex ENT conditions, including head and neck cancers, sleep apnea, and sinus disorders.
His clinical expertise includes perioperative management, diagnostic procedures such as nasal endoscopy and laryngoscopy, and active participation in multidisciplinary tumor boards. He also contributes to clinical research efforts, supporting study coordination, patient education, and data integrity.
Prior to his current role, Russel worked in pain management, where he specialized in treating acute and chronic pain through multimodal approaches, including interventional procedures, medication optimization, and opioid dependency management with buprenorphine. He is experienced in managing advanced therapies such as intrathecal pumps and spinal cord stimulators and played a key role in optimizing clinical workflows through EMR implementation and provider training.
His earlier experience in family medicine and as a United States Navy Hospital Corpsman further shaped his adaptable, team-oriented approach to patient care.
Education & Credentials
- Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies — University of Utah School of Medicine
- Bachelor of Science in Mathematics — Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- Board Certified by the NCCPA
- Licensed in California
Professional Memberships
- San Diego Society of Physician Assistants
- Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology / Head & Neck Surgery
Outside of his clinical work, Russel enjoys exploring culture and cuisine through travel, as well as water activities including paddle boarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. He also enjoys bringing people together through cooking and hosting.