May 7, 2020 – Richmond University Medical Center has announced the promotion of Francesco Rotatori, M.D., FACC, to the position of Chief of Cardiology. Dr. Rotatori is board certified in Internal Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Echocardiography, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.
Dr. Rotatori had been serving as the hospital’s Associate Chief of Cardiology. In that role, he supported the day to day operations of the hospital’s cardiac catheterization laboratory and the cardiac ambulatory service line with the creation of the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic. In addition, he has worked to create and expand the Richmond University Cardiology Faculty Practice providing care at various locations in Staten Island. Since 2011, Dr. Rotatori has served as a clinical instructor in the SUNY/Downstate cardiology fellowship program. He will continue to serve as the site director for the newly added Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Rotation at Richmond University Medical Center.
“Dr. Rotatori is among the elite in his field, both Richmond University Medical Center and the entire Staten Island community are fortunate to have him,” President and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE said. “His expertise, compassion, dedication, bedside manner and the care he provides to each of his patients makes him a true role model. Most recently, during the COVID-19 outbreak, Dr. Rotatori shifted focus and treated patients positive for the coronavirus in our ICU. His efforts and professionalism throughout this challenging time make him just one of the many true medical heroes at our hospital.”
One such COVID-19 patient Dr. Rotatori treated was 38-year-old Edwina Cain. Cain was transported to Richmond University Medical Center by EMS on April 3 with difficulty breathing. She tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be immediately placed on a ventilator. Slowly over the next few days, Cain began to fight off the virus with the help of Dr. Rotatori, finally being removed from her ventilator on April 7 and regaining the ability to fully breathe on her own. Three days after coming off the ventilator, on April 10, Cain was discharged to the cheers of hospital staff.
Dr. Rotatori completed his Medical School in 2001 at the Universita’degli Studi in Milan. He continued on with a post graduate study with a Specialization in Cardiovascular Disease. In 2005, he re-located to the United States. In 2010, he completed his Internal Medicine Residency Program at Richmond University Medical Center. During his training he also served as Chief Resident. He then completed a Fellowship in both Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology from SUNY/Downstate, University Hospital of Brooklyn.
