A graduate of Boston University with a degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Stamm was drawn to the PA profession because of his desire to further his career using skills in medicine. “My clinical rotation experience was excellent,” said Stamm. “From cardiac surgery to gynecology, the School has contracts with so many hospitals in the area, from Long Island to New York City to Westchester,” he said.  

After completing his rounds in several specialties at New York University (NYU) School of Medicine’s Langone Medical Center, Stamm was hired by NYU to work in the department that was his first choice: robotic surgery.

Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses mechanical “arms” with surgical instruments attached to them to carry out complex maneuvers, including urologic, gynecologic, and thoracic surgeries.  Surgeons prefer its greater precision, flexibility, and control over conventional techniques. 

Stamm is a “first assistant,” in the operating room, and controls manual laparoscopic ports used in tandem with robotics. “There is greater accuracy and visibility during the operation, and often, a procedure that would have previously required a larger incision can now be performed in a less invasive way,” said Stamm. “Using the robot for surgery can lead to faster healing times and better overall outcomes for the patient, and that excites me,” he added. 

Stamm also likes robot-assisted surgery because, “There is a defined, important role for PAs in the field, and I get to be very hands-on with patients before, during, and after their surgery.  There’s something new to learn in every case. The technology will continue to advance and my skill set will grow as the field grows.”

Kristin Thomson, Director and Associate Professor of Touro’s Physician Assistant Program said Stamm was deserving of the Maimonides Award because he is “hard-working, focused, and has always been passionate about becoming a PA. While in the program, he excelled in both the classroom and in his clinical experiences.”

Community outreach

Stamm also volunteers−and encouraged Touro classmates to do the same− by participating in “The Joshua Stamm Memorial Scholarship Fund,” a program Stamm runs to raise money for children with disabilities. The initiative was inspired by his brother, who passed away at age 27 from Ataxia Telangiectasia, a rare neurodegenerative disease.

“Not only does he give back to the community, he goes out of his way to help his classmates. Matthew has proven himself time and time again to be of the highest ethical character,” said Dana Bignami, Academic Coordinator, Touro College School of Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program.

Stamm sums up his career goals for the future:  “I hope to be an important member of the medical team. My dream is for the patients I interact with to be confident in my skills and to feel that because I am in the room, their outcome will be successful.”

The other Maimonides Award recipients were: OT Program: John Denny of Franklin Square, N.Y. and Elana Rosenbaum of Teaneck, N.J; OT Assistant Program, April Kirby of New York, N.Y., Physical Therapy Program: Ji-Nee Lo of Manalapan, N.J. and Thomas Protopapas of Leonia, N.J.; Physician Assistant Program:  Kristina DiMezza of Lindenhurst, N.Y., Rachael Goldstein of Ridge, N.Y.; and Speech Language Program: Esther Schorr of Brooklyn, N.Y.