About
Personal Statement
♦ Virtual Visit: Delivering the same level of world-class care, with exceptional convenience.
Dr. Winchell is a nationally renowned expert in care for the critically injured and the development, design and operations of trauma systems. As chief, Dr. Winchell heads one of the leading Level 1 trauma centers in New York City, managing a variety of emergency situations and patients with acute injuries requiring immediate attention. He also oversees the nationally recognized William Randolph Hearst Burn Center.
Winchell, who received his undergraduate degree at the California Institute of Technology, is board certified in general surgery, with added qualifications in surgical critical care. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as a member of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the Association for Academic Surgery, the Southwest Surgical Congress, the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the New England Surgical Society.
Specialties and Expertise
Specialties
- Trauma Surgery
- Surgical Critical Care
- General Surgery
- Surgery
Expertise
- Hernia Repair
- Gallbladder Surgery
- Appendectomy
- Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
- Spleen Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Minimal Access Surgery
- Hernia Surgery
- Incisional Hernia
- Ventral Hernia Repair
- Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Small Bowel Resection
- Abdominal Surgery
- Cholecystectomy
- Trauma
- Trauma and Critical Care
- Removal of Gallbladder
- Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery
- Umbilical Hernia
- Pancreas and Spleen Surgery
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- Critical Care
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Diverticulitis
Biography
Robert J. Winchell, MD, FACS received his undergraduate degree from the California Institute of Technology, his M.D. from Yale University, and did his internship, General Surgery residency, and Trauma and Critical Care Fellowship at the University of California, San Diego, where he remained on the faculty as Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery in the Division of Trauma through 1999. After leaving the University of California, Dr. Winchell established and subsequently directed the Tacoma Trauma Center in Tacoma, Washington, which continues to operate successfully as a joint venture between two previously competing hospitals. In 2001, Dr. Winchell moved to the Maine Medical Center and assumed the role of Head of the Division of Trauma and Burn Surgery in 2004. He remained in that position for 10 years, also serving as an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Tufts University School of Medicine. Under his direction, Maine Medical Center became a verified Level I trauma center for the first time in 2007. After leaving Maine, Dr. Winchell served as Chief of Trauma and Visiting Professor of Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Chief of Trauma at Memorial Hermann -Texas Medical Center until assuming his current post. In July 2015, Dr. Winchell joined the faculty in the Department of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College as Chief of Trauma, Burns, Critical and Acute Care and Director of the Trauma Center at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Research
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
New York SuperDoctor: an Honor given to 5% of New York physicians
Rated one of New York Magazine's Best Doctors
Learn more
Credentials
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery
- American Board of Surgery (Surgical Critical Care)
Clinical and Academic Positions
- Attending Surgeon - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Professor of Surgery - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
- Professor of Medical Ethics in Medicine - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
- G. Thomas Shires, II, M.D. Professor of Surgery - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
Education and Training
- M.D., Yale University School of Medicine, 1984
- B.S., California Institute of Technology, 1979
Insurance
Insurance Plans Accepted
The following represents most of the managed care plans accepted by this doctor. If your insurance carrier does not appear here please contact the doctor’s office as they may have individual contracts not included on this site.
* indicates this doctor is no longer accepting new patients with this insurance plan.
- AETNA - HMO
- AETNA - Medicare
- AETNA - PPO
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee Managed Care Plan
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee PPO Plan
- Aetna-NYP - EPO/POS
- Affinity Access
- Affinity Health Plan
- AgeWell New York
- Amida Care
- CIGNA
- Emblem Select Care
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Access
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Connection
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - EPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - HMO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Mediblue (Senior)
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - PPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus - CHP
- Fidelis Care
- GHI - CBP
- Health First
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP)
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicaid
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicare
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Oxford Health Plans - Freedom
- Oxford Health Plans - Liberty
- Oxford Health Plans - Medicare Advantage
- Oxford Health Plans - Metro/Core/Charter
- Rockefeller University - Trustmark
- United Empire
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare - Community Plan
- United Healthcare - Medicare
- United Healthcare Compass
- VNSNY CHOICE - HMO
- VNSNY CHOICE - Medicare
- WellCare of NY
- WorldWide Medical
Locations and Appointments
External Relationships
External Relationships
Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.