Dr. Rafael Portela was born in Havana, Cuba. He received his medical degree from the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of the Pennsylvania State University. He completed his internship in general surgery, after which he did his otolaryngology residency as well as a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology – head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. In addition to his appointment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Dr. Portela is currently a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. A published physician, Dr. Portela is also Board Certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.