As part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, community leaders Vinod Luthra, an engineer, business developer, and founder of Barrington Residential, and Vinay Luthra, a retired family medicine physician, have committed $2 million to establish an endowed fund at University of Rochester Medicine. The Vinod and Vinay Luthra Family Distinguished Professorship in Urology will provide lasting support for faculty leadership and help recruit and retain leading physician-scientists who advance discovery, train the next generation, and improve patient outcomes.
The Vinod and Vinay Luthra Family Distinguished Professorship in Urology will provide permanent support for faculty leadership and excellence. Their generosity will help URochester Medicine recruit and retain nationally recognized physician-scientists whose work supports medical discovery, trains future physicians, and improves patient outcomes.
“Our family is honored to make this gift and contribute in a meaningful way to improving people’s lives,” says Vinod Luthra. “Advances in urologic cancer research have the potential to impact so many individuals and families. We hope this professorship will help accelerate that progress—not only for the Rochester community, but far beyond.”
“This is a community that has given our family so much, and we are grateful to give back,” adds Vinay Luthra.
“We are immensely grateful to the Luthras for their vision and partnership,” says Jean V. Joseph, MD, MBA, the Winfield W. Scott Chair in Urology. “Endowed professorships like this are powerful tools for supporting excellence in academic medicine.”
“The Luthras are known for their commitment to challenging the status quo and working to improve the lives of our communities—an approach that aligns with the University’s Ever Better mission,” adds Joseph. “We thank Vinod and Vinay for helping ensure that advances in research and patient care continue to benefit many across the region.”
The department’s clinical program, University of Rochester Medicine Urology, provides comprehensive care for conditions affecting the urinary tract and reproductive systems. Based at Strong Memorial Hospital—the University’s primary teaching hospital and the clinical home of the School of Medicine & Dentistry—the program brings together specialists who treat a wide range of conditions, from kidney stones and prostate disease to complex cancers, using innovative diagnostics and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Serving patients from across upstate New York, the urology program is recognized for its leadership in robotic and image-guided procedures designed to reduce complications and speed recovery. Its physicians and healthcare providers are actively engaged in clinical care, education, research, and community engagement.
“Our faculty conduct research and lead clinical trials designed to improve treatments for urologic disease,” says Joseph. “This gift will significantly amplify our work and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.”
Vinod and Vinay Luthra’s journey spans more than five decades and two continents, rooted in a shared commitment to education, healthcare, and community impact.
Vinod Luthra earned his degree in mechanical engineering with honors from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in India and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. He went on to build an accomplished career in engineering, holding leadership roles at Mobil Plastics (now Pactiv Corporation) and securing several U.S. patents. He later built a successful career in real estate.
Vinay Luthra earned her medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in India and completed her residency at Rochester General Hospital. She devoted her career to caring for patients in the Rochester community, including 30 years at the Rochester Psychiatric Center.
The Luthras have demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to philanthropy in both the United States and India, focusing on healthcare, education, and community development.
Among their many contributions, they provided significant financial support for the establishment of the Vinod & Vinay Luthra India Heritage Center at the India Community Center of Rochester, which was inaugurated in 2019. Their community involvement also includes support for the Hindu Temple of Rochester, the Gurdwara of Rochester, and Saathi of Rochester—an organization dedicated to assisting South Asian survivors of domestic violence that the Luthras have supported since its inception.
In India, the Luthras have established scholarships and endowed funds at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, where Vinod Luthra received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2019. They have also supported educational initiatives such as Books for All and the Vinod Luthra Creativity Centers, expanding learning opportunities for underserved children.
“We came to this country with just a few dollars—the proverbial $8 that Indian travelers were once allowed to carry,” reflects Vinod Luthra. “But what we lacked in resources, we made up for in opportunity, hard work, and the belief that staying true to your values can help you build something meaningful over time.”
He adds, “We are deeply grateful for the opportunities we were given. After learning about the important work taking place at the URochester Medicine, particularly in the urology program under Dr. Joseph’s leadership, we felt inspired to help support and advance that mission.”
Philanthropy and engagement are critical to the future success of the University. Learn how you can support For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester. To make a difference in the Department of Urology, contact Katie Seelman, Director of Advancement, URochester Medicine Clinical Programs.
–Kristine Kappel Thompson, June 2026