Rutgers alumnus Graig Straus named New York’s 2025 Nurse Practitioner of the Year
July 10, 2025
Rutgers School of Nursing alumnus Graig Straus (DNP, APRN, FCUCM) has been named the 2025 Nurse Practitioner of the Year by the Nurse Practitioner Association New York State (NPA).
Straus will be recognized at the NPA’s annual conference, taking place Oct. 16–19 in Saratoga Springs, New York. The award honors a nurse practitioner who demonstrates excellence in areas such as clinical practice, community service, research, leadership, and service to underserved communities.
Board-certified in both family and emergency NP care, Straus earned his master’s degree in 2013 as part of the inaugural cohort of Rutgers School of Nursing’s Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care program (which now offers a post-master’s certificate or a post-bachelor’s doctoral degree). He also holds a DNP from Dominican College of Blauvelt.
In 2015, just two years after graduating from the Rutgers program, he opened a fully-equipped emergency care center in Rockland County, New York— the region’s first urgent care center to be owned and operated by a nurse practitioner.
Today, Straus is a well-respected New York-based clinician and entrepreneur, employing fellow nurse practitioners and other health professionals. He is the founding CEO of Rockland Urgent Care Family NP, P.C.; Straus Family Health NP, P.C.; and Luna Wellness Spa. He also serves as medical director for the North Rockland Central School District.
He was inducted as a fellow of the College of Urgent Care Medicine in 2023 and received the 2024 Humanitarian Award from the Urgent Care Association’s annual Humanitarian Award in 2024.
In addition to clinical practice, Straus is a passionate mentor. While studying to become a nurse practitioner, he founded a peer mentoring program matching entering NP students with those who were further along. As a professional, he has been a preceptor to students from more than 20 nursing programs, including Rutgers. He returns to Rutgers several times a year to volunteer his time instructing advanced practice nursing students during skills labs and simulation experiences.
“Dr. Straus is a highly regarded colleague and a passionate champion for both Rutgers and the nursing profession,” said Karen O’Connell Schill (DNP, APN-C, FNP-BC, ENP-C, CEN, CFRN, NREMT-P), clinical assistant professor and specialty director of Rutgers’ Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care program. “He’s not only an advocate for our field, but a tireless supporter of the next generation of advanced practice emergency nurses.”
Straus began his health care career as an EMT and remains active as a first responder. He serves with the National Disaster Medical System that deploys health professonals across the U.S. in response to disasters. In New York, he is a medical officer with the Monsey, New York, Fire Department and a lifetime member of the Spring Hill Ambulance Corps.
For over seven years, Straus has participated in a multi-national medical mission to Uman, Ukraine, where he serves as the American Liaison to the Uman Emergency Clinic. In Ukraine, he provides nurse practitioner care to local residents and assists with the thousands who gather for religious pilgrimages. He also participates in training to share emergency care best practices with local providers.
For those considering a career in emergency care, Straus advises, “you need to know how to prioritize, solve problems, think on your feet, and be a strong team player.” Well said, Dr. Straus.