Frank S. Darras, Professor of Urology, and James A. Vosswinkel, Assistant Professor of Surgery, were selected by their faculty peers as recipients of this year’s Stony Brook University Physicians Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice. The awards were presented by Mark Sedler, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science and Chair of the Clinical Practice Management Plan (CPMP) Board, the governing board of the School of Medicine’s faculty practice plan, during the Board of Directors meeting.
Established in 2009 under the auspices of the CPMP Practice Committee, the SBU Physicians Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice recognizes School of Medicine faculty who exemplify a sustained commitment to excellence in patient care. The selection committee, comprised of Practice Committee members, sought nominations of physicians who have demonstrated a strong clinical role, excellent patient satisfaction and collegial working relationships, as well as an engagement in delivering outstanding care to patients.
“Drs. Darras and Vosswinkel exemplify the mission of physicians in academic medicine by delivering outstanding and compassionate care to patients, communicating well to patients and colleagues, and training other physicians in their area of medical expertise,” said Kenneth Kaushansky, Vice President of the Health Sciences and Dean, School of Medicine.
Darras joined the Department of Urology in 2004. He is the Medical Director of Transplantation Services for the Department. Board certified in urology, Darras received his medical doctorate from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in Illinois. He completed his residency in urology at Northwestern University and completed a fellowship in renal transplantation at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute of the University of Pittsburgh. Darras’ clinical interests include adrenal gland diseases, kidney cancer, adult and pediatric kidney transplantation, kidney stones, and prostate diseases.
Vosswinkel joined the faculty of the Department of Surgery in 2002. He is the Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Stony Brook University Hospital and Chief of Trauma and Critical Care for the Department. Board certified in surgery and surgical critical care, Vosswinkel received his medical degree from the SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, and completed his residency training in general surgery at Stony Brook. Subsequently, he completed a fellowship in trauma/surgical critical care at Yale University School of Medicine in Connecticut. Vosswinkel’s clinical interests include traumatology, conventional and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery as well as the pre- and post-operative critical care of adult surgical patients.
“As Director of the surgical intensive care unit, Dr. Vosswinkel had an enormous impact on quality outcomes and reduced complications rates of the SICU (Surgical Intensive Care Unit),” said Todd Rosengart, Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery. “He has worked tirelessly to create an enhanced service-oriented focus as noted by our quality assurance team. With Jim as Director, collegiality between physicians, nurses, residents, and staff members in the SICU has increased—an accomplishment worth noting.”
“Dr. Darras is an outstanding role model for residents and faculty,” said Wayne Waltzer, Professor and Chair, Department of Urology. “He has been instrumental in the continued growth and quality of our transplant service and is commended for his significant role in improving patient outcomes.
“Dr. Darras has shown a tremendous commitment to excellence and service to patients,” Waltzer added, noting the many letters received from patients and family members by the Department of Urology expressing their gratitude for his clinical expertise and compassionate care.
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