He received both his undergraduate and his medical degrees from the University of Maryland. He completed his surgical residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA and UMDNJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Camden, NJ. He received his trauma/surgical critical care fellowship training at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, FL. He is a course director for the Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) courses. Additionally, he is an instructor for Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM®). Dr. Llerena is a master trainer for TeamSTEPPS®. His interests include simulation-based education, abdominal compartment syndrome, and advanced ventilator management.