STONY BROOK, N.Y., April 21 2006 – On April 19, Stony Brook University Hospital Transplant Fellow, Dr. Vance Moss, a Major in the US Army Reserve 344th Combat Support Hospital, and his identical twin brother, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Vince Moss, 34, a Major in the same unit, were be in full uniform to present Grand Rounds at Stony Brook University Hospital on their surgical and personal experience while on a special mission in Afghanistan under the direction of the State Department and the American Embassy in Kabul.
Dr. Vance Moss share his experience with colleagues at Stony Brook via PowerPoint presentation; he and his brother told their story of some of the more unusual and technically remarkable cases they performed, with pictures that illustrated in great detail their 12-hour operating day schedules, working under flashlights and dodging sniper fire while trying to perform many different surgical procedures.
They described the treks and people they encountered across the Afghan countryside operating in the worst conditions, protected only by Special Forces Afghan Army Soldiers, while unarmed to satisfy Geneva Convention mandates. Many considered this special mission a suicide mission. The story is all the more remarkable considering the incredible odds they faced and the many lives they saved all in an effort to penetrate Al Qaeda territory and provide desperate surgical care to civilians and Afghan soldiers.
Following the lecture, Dr. Wayne Waltzer, Director of Transplant Services and Chief of Urology at Stony Brook, Dr. Frank Darras, Clinical Director of Kidney Transplant Service at Stony Brook and Dave Bekofsky, Transplant Administrator, received Employer Patriot Awards for their patriotism and support of Dr. Vance Moss while he was on active duty. The award is an official proclamation from the Department of Defense and comes with an official Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Pin. Brian L. Harper, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Health Services, presented the awards to each recipient.
Photo caption: Pictured in the photo, from left are Brian L. Harper, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Dr. Wayne Waltzer, Director of Transplant Services and Chief of Urology at Stony Brook University Hospital, Dr. Frank Darras, Clinical Director of Kidney Transplant Service at Stony Brook University Hospital and Dave Bekofsky, Transplant Administrator, Stony Brook University Hospital Transplant Fellow, Dr. Vance Moss, 34, Major in the US Army Reserve 344th Combat Support Hospital, and his identical twin brother, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr. Vince Moss a Major in the same Unit. Vance Moss nominated Dr. Waltzer and Dr. Darras and Bekofsky for the Department of Defense Patriot Employer Award which was presented to them by Dr. Harper during the Department of Urology Grand Rounds on April 19.
