Vascular Surgeon Michael Schwartz Earns 20th Castle Connolly Top Doctor Honor

Michael L. Schwartz, MD, a distinguished vascular surgeon, has been honored as a 2024 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the 20th year he has received this prestigious accolade. Only about 7 percent of the nation’s licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors in their respective regions and specialties.

Dr. Schwartz is affiliated with Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates and operates primarily in Rockland County and Orange County, New York. With over 25 years of experience, he is certified in both general and vascular surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Additionally, he holds certification as a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation®, a testament to his expertise in interpreting vascular ultrasound images.

Dr. Schwartz's practice encompasses the treatment of various vascular diseases, including aortic aneurysms, carotid stenosis, limb-salvage procedures, varicose veins, and dialysis access. He is adept in both minimally invasive treatments and traditional open surgery, though he emphasizes non-operative management when possible. “In most cases, vascular problems can be managed non-operatively. In fact, conservative measures work better than surgical treatments,” Dr. Schwartz stated.

Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates, where Dr. Schwartz practices, is a small private practice that prides itself on providing university-quality care in a community setting. Dr. Schwartz highlights the accessibility of their physicians and the compassionate service provided by their office staff.

In addition to his practice, Dr. Schwartz has held several significant positions, including chief of surgery at WMC Health/Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY, since 2020, and chief of vascular surgery at Montefiore Nyack Hospital since 2004. He has also been an attending surgeon at Westchester County Medical Center in Valhalla, NY, since 2016.

Dr. Schwartz's extensive educational background includes a medical degree from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, a surgery residency with a final year as chief resident, and a vascular surgery fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He also holds an undergraduate degree in microbiology from the University of Florida.

Castle Connolly Top Doctors are nominated by their peers and selected by a physician-led research team based on criteria such as medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary history. As Dr. Schwartz noted, “I think physicians recognize that I'm very conservative with their patients, and patients report back about their positive experience to their doctors, which results in my yearly nomination.”