Congratulations to Drs. Thomas Di Vitantonio and Maria Karas, who were recently named 2023 Physicians of the Year by NewYork-Presbyterian’s Department of Nursing. Each year, the Department of Nursing honors a select number of physicians who exemplify Weill Cornell’s values of collaboration and service.
At a ceremony March 30, chief medical resident and instructor in medicine Dr. Di Vitantonio was recognized for being an exceptional partner to the nursing team, proactively seeking nurses’ input. In addition to this and providing exemplary patient care, Dr. Di Vitantonio was lauded for his support of new initiatives, including interdisciplinary cardiac arrest simulations and innovations in blood culture practices in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Most of all, however, Dr. Di Vitantonio stood out as “an extraordinarily kind individual,” always checking in on colleagues and ensuring his teammates feel supported.
“Our nurses come to work every day and deliver compassionate, top-notch care, so to be recognized [by the Department of Nursing] is an incredible honor,” Dr. Di Vitantonio said. “From intern to resident and now as chief medical resident, they’ve helped me become the doctor I am.” He counted his nursing partners as “trusted colleagues and friends.”
NewYork-Presbyterian is consistently ranked among the nation’s top five hospitals in Cardiology and Heart Surgery. During the March 30 ceremony, 2023 Physician of the Year recipient Dr. Maria Karas was credited for helping make that possible. As medical director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dr. Karas is passionate about patient care. Her support of the nursing team has helped develop numerous advances in cardiac care. Under her leadership, the Cardiac ICU has successfully served patients with complex diagnoses. With the use of cutting-edge life-saving medical devices, many of these patients have achieved a significant improvement in their quality of life. Dr. Karas also helped develop the NewYork- Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Cardiogenic Shock Team, which she also leads.
From left, Drs. Thomas Di Vitantonio, Maria Karas and John Leonard, Chair (Interim) of the Department of Medicine.
“I was so touched by this honor,” Dr. Karas said. After graduating from Weill Cornell Medicine in 2006, Dr. Karas started her career at the Weill Department of Medicine, growing from resident to fellow to, since 2013, a full-time faculty member of the Perkin Center for Heart Failure with a clinical interest in heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and mechanical circulatory support.
“This award was really a celebration of the entire cardiac ‘work family’ and their commitment to each other and their patients," Dr. Karas said.
The Weill Department of Medicine is proud of these outstanding physicians for their leadership and dedication.