Center dedicates the ‘Rocco C. Venuto MD Transplant and Vascular Access Center’
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation Dec. 2 dedicated one of its renal facilities in memory of physician Rocco C. Venuto.
The Rocco C. Venuto, MD, Transplant and Vascular Access Center was named in memory of the physician, instructor and scientist.
Venuto most recently served at ECMC as medical director of renal transplant and director of the chronic kidney disease program, having brought the benefits of more than 40 years of nephrology practice to his patients.
ECMC performed 2,265 kidney transplants since Venuto was first named director of Nephrology in 1978.
As a professor and mentor, he welcomed residents, fellows, nurses, pharmacists and medical students in the clinic and on rounds. Venuto held a number of medical and teaching roles in Western New York and beyond, including as a tenured professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo.
“Dr. Venuto was the physician that every patient would want: a superb diagnostician, but he was extremely caring and patient,” said physician Brian M. Murray, chief medical officer, ECMC and associate professor of medicine in the division of nephrology, University at Buffalo said.
Venuto’s experience encompassed a number of areas related to renal care, including treating patients with virtually every type of kidney disease. He conducted extensive research in his field, including on the kidney-related complications of pregnancy and complications of medications used in transplant immunosuppression regimens.
Other research in collaboration with the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy aimed at refining medication regimens led to identification of the best treatment protocols for each individual patient. Venuto and his team also worked on research initiatives related to medication for polycystic kidney diseases and the use of big data in the care of chronic kidney disease sufferers, resulting in cutting-edge care for patients.
Venuto’s work garnered numerous honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from Upstate New York Transplant Services of which he was a co-founder, the Gift of Life Award from the Western New York Kidney Foundation, and the Diversity of Spirituality Award from ECMC. Venuto was a fellow of the American Society of Nephrology and the American College of Physicians.
Born in Niagara Falls, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Niagara University and his medical degree from the University at Buffalo, where he also performed his internship and residency. He performed his fellowship at Ohio State University.
Photo: Dedication of the Rocco C. Venuto MD Transplant and Vascular Access Center on Dec. 3.