As founder, president, and chairman of the board of Island Medical Management, Daniel Ferrara (D.O. ’86), FACEP has always been focused on giving back to people who need it most. Island Medical Management is a clinically led, physician-owned organization that provides physician management and staffing services to emergency departments, urgent care centers, and other healthcare facilities across the country.

One of the company’s goals is to provide the highest level of care to patients—no matter what hospital or ER they’ve been admitted to. Ferrara’s passion for emergency medicine hearkens back to his days as a student at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM). “I tried out everything,” Ferrara says, “and emergency medicine stuck. The day goes by really quickly.”

After getting his D.O. degree, he worked for a large physician management services company. When he started Island Medical Management in 1993, he decided to improve on the model and do things differently. “I hired only board-certified physicians,” he explains. “For emergency medicine, I thought, the more highly qualified the physician, the better the outcome—which wasn’t the norm at the time. I structured it so that the doctors worked for the company, not the hospital, which was unusual back then.” Following his instincts has paid off. Island Medical Management expanded at an impressive rate. In late 2016, they took on a private equity partner, and today the company staffs around 900 physicians and serves more than 2 million patients a year.

In addition to his roles as business owner and physician, Ferrara has embarked on several projects for NYITCOM. “I’m 59 now, and I have a little more time and a little more money,” says Ferrara. Nestled in a serene spot on the Long Island campus is a plaque that reads “Mindfulness.” The sign, which is located on the Healing Path, reminds medical students at NYITCOM to take time to reflect and focus on their own health and wellness. Projects like the Healing Path would not be possible without the support of contributors such as Ferrara. He has also been involved in raising money for NYITCOM in the name of a colleague who passed away, and he is helping to promote the restructuring and expansion of the NYIT Institute for Clinical Competence.

Ferrara’s interest in giving back to his medical school has increased over the years. “It’s very important,” he says. “Even those who have just graduated could give $100.” Ferrara understands that even small changes can lead to positive outcomes—for patients and medical students alike.

This profile was originally featured in the Summer 2018 issue of NYIT Magazine.