Delray Medical Center recently welcomed back Dr. Michal Proczka, a vascular surgeon trainee from Poland, for a second advanced training visit under the mentorship of internationally recognized vascular surgeon Dr. Joseph Ricotta.

Dr. Proczka, affiliated with the University of Warsaw, first trained and conducted research alongside Dr. Ricotta three years ago. After maintaining a close professional relationship and continuing to advance his vascular and endovascular expertise, Dr. Proczka was recently awarded a prestigious travel grant from the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS), one of Europe’s leading professional vascular organizations. The highly competitive grant is awarded to only a limited number of surgeons each year and allowed him to return to Delray Medical Center for an additional three-week observership and research experience.

“Dr. Ricotta is known internationally for his expertise and innovation in vascular surgery, which is why I wanted to return and continue learning from one of the best,” said Dr. Proczka. “During my first visit, I learned an incredible amount and it helped shape my professional growth. I’m excited to continue expanding my experience in advanced endovascular procedures, research, limb salvage and pulmonary embolism care, with the hope of bringing many of these advanced programs back to Poland.”

During his stay, Dr. Proczka observed and participated in advanced vascular procedures, including TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR), a minimally invasive procedure used to reduce stroke risk in patients with carotid artery disease. TCAR is not yet performed in Poland. Dr. Ricotta has completed more than 500 TCAR procedures and in 2018, he completed the first ever TCAR procedure in South Florida.

Dr. Proczka has already contributed to multiple research publications in major vascular surgery journals and has collaborated on physician-led innovations in vascular imaging and procedures throughout his career.

They first connected in 2013, when Dr. Proczka’s father, also a vascular surgeon in Poland, performed a Physician-Modified Endograft(PMEG) in Warsaw with Dr. Ricotta, helping inspire Dr. Proczka’s career in medicine and vascular care.

“Medicine is truly a global collaboration, and it’s an honor to mentor talented vascular surgeons from around the world,” said Dr. Joseph Ricotta, National Medical Director of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy for Tenet Healthcare, Professor of Surgery and Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program Director at Florida Atlantic University’s School of Medicine, and founder of the Prime Vascular Institute. “Dr. Proczka has a tremendous passion for advancing vascular care and research, and we’re proud to support his continued development and the future impact he will have on patients internationally.”

Dr. Ricotta has become a sought-after educator in advanced vascular procedures and recently also trained several vascular surgeons from Australia on TCAR techniques at Delray Medical Center, further highlighting the hospital’s growing international reputation in advanced vascular and endovascular education.

“Our physicians continue to position Delray Medical Center as a destination for advanced cardiovascular and vascular education,” said Heather Havericak, CEO of Delray Medical Center. “Welcoming physicians from across the globe to learn from our specialists speaks to the high level of expertise and innovation taking place here every day.”

Dr. Ricotta’s expertise in the field has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious TCAR Clinical Operator of Excellence distinction from Silk Road Medical in 2020, an award recognizing top physicians for superior outcomes in TCAR procedures. Delray Medical Center also earned the TCAR Center of Excellence Award, also from Silk Road. (Silk Road was later acquired by Boston Scientific.) With over two decades of experience, Dr. Ricotta has also been repeatedly recognized as a National Top Doctor by Castle Connolly, and has contributed more than 300 peer-reviewed articles to medical literature. Newsweek recently ranked Dr. Ricotta as the top vascular surgeon in Florida and #2 in the entire country.

About Delray Medical Center

Delray Medical Center, part of the Palm Beach Health Network, is a 536-bed acute care hospital, spanning 30 acres, employing over 1,700 employees, 700 physicians, serving southern Palm Beach County for over 40 years. As both a community hospital and state-designated Level I Trauma Center Delray Medical Center offers several specialized services including state-of-the art cardiac and vascular facilities, orthopedics, neurosciences, emergency care, and weight-loss surgery.

Pinecrest Rehabilitation and Outpatient Hospital at Delray Medical Center is the only state designated brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation program in the county by the State of Florida. Delray Medical Center is also home to Fair Oaks Pavilion, a 53-bed adult psychiatry unit. For more information about our services, visit our website at www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com.