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Universitv at Buffalo The State University nf New Ynrk

M

THE
Buffalo Physician
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR
UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. Carole Smith Petro
DIRECTOR OF PERIODICALS
Sue Wuetcher

Dear Alumni and Friends,

EDITOR
Stephanie A. Unger
ART DIRECTOR
Alan J. Kegler

n August 21, 2002, new affiliation agreements between the University at Buffalo and its

DESIGN
David J. Riley

teaching hospitals were announced. These agreements mark a seminal event in the history
of the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences because they represent a 'sea

DESIGN ASSISTANT
Karen Lichner

change' not only in the school's relationship with its affiliated teaching hospitals, but also
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lois Baker and Ellen Goldhaum

with its faculty and residents.
By recalibrating these relationships to better support our school's primary mission,
which is to educate students and train residents, we are putting in place girders upon

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Cynthia Todd-Flick

which we can help build a healthcare system that more effectively serves our region.
The new affiliation agreements, which you can read more about on page 21 of this
issue of Buffalo Physician, will result in our school's faculty being paid
either through the state or through the faculty practice plan. Over time, it
is hoped that this will result in faculty members establishing a primary
allegiance to the school in lieu of the individual inpatient facilities with
which they are affiliated in the community. If this change in culture can be
accomplished, I believe it will greatly strengthen our school's foundation
over the next 25 to 30 years.
With regard to graduate medical education, the agreements take the
hospitals out of the educational system and place the onus for training residents square­
ly under the purview of the school, where it should be. This, in and of itself, is a historic
change in view of the fact that the residency programs in New York State were originally
sponsored by hospitals. In fact, UB did not sponsor any of the residency programs until
the Buffalo Graduate Medical-Dental Consortium was formed in 1983, and even that
was only a partial sponsorship. The hospitals had in essence taken ownership of residency
training, so these new agreements bring our community—which was about 45 years
behind the rest of the country—in line with where it should have been a long time ago.
Also, as I look to the future, I anticipate that the federal government will mandate
changes in Medicare law. Under the new affiliation agreements, the school will be in a
much better position to react in a timely way to these changes.
Lastly, from the community's perspective, there is now the potential to undertake

UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Dr. Michael Bernardino, Dean
EDITORIAL BOARD
Dr. John Bodkin
Dr. Martin Brecher
Dr. Harold Brody
Dr. Linda J. Corder
Elizabeth Volz, Class of 2005
Dr. James Kanski
Dr. Elizabeth Olmsted
Dr. James R. Olson
Dr. Stephen Spaulding
Dr. Bradley T. Truax
Dr. Franklin Zeplowitz
TEACHING HOSPITALS
Erie County Medical Center
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Veterans Affairs Western
New York Healthcare System
KALEIDA HEALTH:

The Buffalo General Hospital
The Children's Hospital of Buffalo
Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
CATHOLIC HEALTH SYSTEM:

Mercy Health System
Sisters of Charity Hospital

strategic healthcare planning for our region, should its leaders have the critical will to
do so. This will certainly require a willingness to give-and-take among the various hos­
pitals. But if this flexibility can be managed, the school will have an opportunity to graft
on to a single, high-quality clinical program rather than participate in multiple smaller

Niagara Falls Memorial
Medical Center

© UNIVERSITY IIBIIFFUO.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

programs, none of which can compete locally, regionally or nationally.
If this type of planning is made a priority, then I envision our school serving as an
umbrella under which such initiatives can move forward. This does not mean that the
school would be interested in dictating outcomes for healthcare in our region, but it does
mean that it could serve as a facilitator for change in a new climate of cooperation where,
ultimately, quality of patient care is the only measure of success.

- it i $ t
M I C #h A E L E . B E R N A R D I N O , M D , M B A
Dean, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Vice President for Health Affairs

Letters t o t h e Editor
Buffalo Physician is published quarterly
by the University at Buffalo School of
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in
cooperation with the Office of
Communications.
Letters to the Editor are welcome
and can be sent c/o Buffalo Physician,
330 Crofts Hall, University at Buffalo,
Buffalo, NY 14260; or via e-mail to
bp-notes@buffalo.etlu. Telephone:
(716) 645-5000, ext. 1387.
The staff reserves the right to edit
all submissions for clarity and length.

University a t B u f f a l o
The State University of New' YorK

P

H

Y

S

I

C

I

A

N

Features

2
10
16

Gray Matters
Rohit Bakshi, MD '91, neurologist
and mentor extraordinaire, gives
multiple sclerosis a new image
B Y Lois B A K E R

Pain's Mystery, a Mindful Approach
Funded by a $2 million grant, UB
researchers study biobehavioral
treatments for irritable bowel syndrome
BY S. A. UNGER

Budget Talks
A conversation with Michael
Bernardino, MD, MBA, dean of the School
of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Stephen Pollack, MD '82. welcomes Jodi-Ann Oliver at the White Coat Ceremony. Jodi-Ann's
twin. Leri-Ann. Is also a member of the Classof 2006. For more on this event, turn to page 22.
COVER PHOTO BY K. C. KRATT

FJgHH
^PmLVKY ^
Medical School
22 White Coat
Ceremony

23 Toni Ferrario
receives 2002
Humanism in
Medicine
Award

24 Inaugural
Student
Clinician's
Ceremony

Research News
26 Update on

Pathways
30 News about

Buffalo Center
of Excellence in
Bioinformatics

28 Anthony
Campagnari's
research
stimulates
industrial
collaboration

faculty, staff,
students and
alumni

31

GonzalezFernandez joins
UB as inaugural
chair holder

34 Faculty awards

Student Column
36 Fourth-year
student and
volunteer
fire fighter
Laura Rendano
reflects on her
dual roles

Development
39 A DNA
research gift

40 Annual list of
endowments

Classnotes
44 News from
your UB
classmates and
other alumni

en years ago people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
could expect little from the medical profession
other than drugs to help relieve their symptoms
and canes or walkers to help them get around as
their physical disabilities mounted.
That was before researchers were able to focus
the full power of advanced neuroimaging techno­
logies on the disease.
By using the latest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
methods in tandem with one of the most powerful
supercomputing systems in the world, University at
Buffalo researchers in the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis
Center (BNAC) are providing insights into the disease
that were never before possible.
Some are creating three-dimensional images of the
brain and brain structures of MS patients that show the
process of atrophy under the onslaught
of the disease.
Others are linking stages of atrophy

Perhaps the most im­

with physical and cognitive symptoms

portant development to

and are developing a "standardized" im­

come out of the center

age of one affected brain structure, which
will serve as a model for assessing disease

to date is the research­

stage and predicting progression.

ers' discovery that the

Still other scientists are using advanced
imaging techniquesand computing power

brain's gray matter,

to study the amount of whole-brain shrink­

where higher function­

age that occurs in MS and to develop accu­
rate ways to measure brain deterioration.

ing is centered, is involved in MS.

A Neuro Image of Atrophy

Perhaps the most important development to come out of
the center to date is the researchers' discovery that the
brain's gray matter, where higher functioning is centered,
is involved in MS.
"Traditionally, MS was thought to be strictly a

In addition to pursuing his own research. Rohit Bakshi. MD.
University at Buffalo associate professor of neurology, front.
has assembled a group of energetic student researchers to
work in the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center. "The students
are the lifeblood of the center." says Bakshi. "Their enthusiasm,
dedication and fresh ideas make our research go forward."
Pictured, back row. left to right, are medical students
Michael Sanfilipo. Rob Bermel and Andrew Fabiano.

'white matter disease,"' explains Rohit Bakshi, MD '91,

Autumn 2002

!u ff aI a Physician

UB associate professor of neurolo­
gy and director of the BNAC. We
thought it affected only the 'road­
ways' in the brain." (White matter, or
myelin, is the covering that allows
various gray matter structures to
communicate with each other.)
This finding resulted from the re­
searchers' work with a brain structure
situated deep in the gray matter called

Class of 2003

fourth-year medical

of Neurology, Alpha Omega Alpha

conducted research in neuropharm­

student at the University at Buffalo

medical honor society and the Uni­

acology as a Howard Hughes Under­

School of Medicine and Biomedical

versity at Buffalo.

!u If a I i P h y s i c i a n

A u t u m n

graduate Research Fellow. In 1998, he

Sciences, has been chief research

In May 2001, Bermel was awarded

worked at the U.S. Oepartment of

assistant at the Buffalo Neuroimag-

the American Academy of Neurology's

Energy's Brookhaven National Labora­

ing Analysis Center since May 2000.

G. Milton Shy Award for medical stu­

tory, where he studied addiction con­

His work includes an honors thesis on

dent research in clinical neurology,

trol and breast cancer therapy using

the use of MRI in detecting brain

based on studies he conducted onthe

brain positron emission tomography.

atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS),

use of the bicaudate ratio as an MRI

Bermel is interested in pursuing

mentored by Rohit Bakshi, MO '91.

marker of brain atrophy in MS.

This research was funded by student

While pursuing his bachelor of

grants from the American Academy

arts degree in biology at UB, Bermel

the caudate nucleus, an important nerve center for con­
trolling movement and cognitive processing. Other labo­
ratories have studied the role of the caudate nucleus in
Alzheimer's Disease and Huntington's Disease; however,
the BNAC is the only center studying it in MS patients
with state-of-the-art MRI techniques.
"Through our computerized imaging analysis capa­
bilities we have been able to visualize the caudate nucleus
in MS patients in new ways, and we found it was atro­
phied," explains Bakshi. "Moreover, the atrophy is not

4

associated with the amount of white matter damage.
"If we are going to treat this disease," he says, "we have
to know where the damage is."
MS strikes people primarily between the ages of 20 and
40, and there is no cure. The most common cause of
progressive neurologic disability in young adults, the dis­
ease is most prevalent in mid-North America and North­
ern Europe. Symptoms vary widely, depending on where
and how much brain damage is involved.
A leap forward in treatment occurred in 1996 when a

2 0 0 2

a residency in neurology following
graduation from medical school.

drug developed by the late Lawrence Jacobs, MD, chair of
UB's Department of Neurology, was approved by the
Federal Drug Administration after several years of clinical
trials that were supervised by Jacobs. The drug, interferon
beta-la (Avonex), slows progression of disability in the
relapsing-remitting form of the disease and reduces the
frequency of flare-ups. It is now the most widely prescrib­
ed treatment for MS.
"Our challenge today is to uncover mechanisms in the
brain that could lead us to a new therapy, building on

T

"We've been able to correlate gray matter hypointensity
with brain atrophy and physical impairment. This leads us to
think that hypointensity in the deep gray matter is a strong
predictor of disability, progression of the disease and sub­
sequent brain atrophy."

a third-year medi­

Kenmore, New York, before matricu­

After five semesters. Fabiano

cal student at the University at

lating to the University of Illinois at

graduated with Highest Bepartmen-

Buffalo School of Medicine and

Chicago (UIC). While at UIC, he parti­

tal Distinction and was elected to
Phi Beta Kappa.

Biomedical Sciences, has been a

cipated in research with Br. John

research assistant at the Buffalo

llekis and Br. Erol Bnel, isolating nov­

Fabiano's work at the BNAC fo­

Neuroimaging

el genes involved in spermatogene­

cuses on assessing gray matter

sis. He also contributed to research

damage in multiple sclerosis and

Analysis

Center

(BNAC) since May 2BB1.
A native of Buffalo and the third

at the UIC Medical Center on positron

diabetes using MRI diffusion imaging

of six children, Fabiano attended

emission tomography screening for

and T2 relaxation.

St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in

coronary calcification.

Dr. Jacobs's work," says Bakshi. "One possibility might be a drug cocktail that in­
cludes interferon and a neuroprotective agent to target and preserve the gray matter."
Bakshi's own research could point to one possible drug approach. He is first au­
thor on a study published in the January 2002 (Vol. 59) issue of Archives of Neurology
that reports that brains of MS patients appear to contain excess iron deposits.
"In our imaging studies, the gray matter structures of MS patients appear very
dark on one type of MRI scan," says Bakshi. "This evidence points to high levels of
iron in the brain, which suggests that iron could be causing cell damage. The brain's
mechanism to regulate iron could be impaired or shut down in MS.
"We've been able to correlate gray matter hypointensity with brain atrophy and
physical impairment," he adds. "This leads us to think that hypointensity in the deep
gray matter is a strong predictor of disability, progression of the disease and

Autumn 2002

I ii f f a I n P h y s i c i a n

5

subsequent brain atrophy."
If these findings hold up through
longitudinal studies, a treatment de­
signed to prevent iron buildup could
prove beneficial.

Student Scientists
In addition to pursuing his own re­
search, Bakshi has assembled a group
of energetic student researchers from
various disciplines to work with senior
neurologists on several projects.
"The students are the lifeblood of

Michael
SanfiliDO
Class of 2005

the BNAC," says Bakshi. "Their enthusiasm, dedication,
and fresh ideas make our research program go forward.
"Our goal is to train the students in the necessary
neuroimaging analysis techniques and then rapidly help
them to develop their own line of investigation under
supervision," he continues.
"This mentor-mentee approach has led to each student
taking the lead on projects, including data analysis and
interpretation, presentation of data at national research
meetings, and manuscript preparation."
Among the researchers is Robert Bermel, a fourth-year
medical student at UB, who is concentrating on the cau­
date nucleus. Bermel is collaborating with specialists in
UB's Center for Computational Research who are taking

ology internship at the Manhattan

Summer Research Fellowship to

medical student at the University at

Psychiatric Center,he was a research

study whether cerebral gray matter

Buffalo School of Medicine and Bio­

associate at New York University,

abnormalities in MS are related to

medical Sciences, joined the Buffalo

where he conducted neuroimaging

cognitive impairment.

NeuroimagingAnalysis Center (BNAC)

research (PET, MRI. fMRI) in schizo­

He has authored 31 research

in 2002 to perform quantitative MRI

phrenia under Dr. Adam Wolkin. He

articles, six as first author. His cur­

research in multiple sclerosis (MS).

then conducted fMRI researchin sub­

rent research interests include

A native of Buffalo, Sanfilipo

stance abuse at the Medical College

MS. schizophrenia, neuroimaging.

of Wisconsin under Dr. Elliot Stein.

MRI, biostatistics and neuropsy­

earned his bachelor's and master's
degrees in psychology from Syracuse

Sanfilipo received a UB School of

University. After completing a psych­

Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

chology. In the future, he plans a
career in academic neuroscience.

"Our goal is to train the students in the necessary neuroimaging
analysis techniques and then rapidly help them to develop their own
line of investigation under supervision." —Rohit Bakshi, MD '91

6

I u If aI o Physician

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

data from high-resolution MRI scans of the structure in
MS patients and converting them into three-dimensional
images that can be displayed on a computer monitor and
rotated in any direction interactively. The studies are aimed
at looking at how disease of the gray matter is detected in
the brain and how it relates to MS progression.
"Before we had the ability to create three-dimensional
images, we were able to use computers only to obtain
quantitative data, such as the structure's volume and di­
mensions," says Bermel, who is working in Bakshi's labo­
ratory. "Now we are able to visualize structures, to actually
see where atrophy is occurring."
Bermel presented a poster at this
year's American Academy of Neurol­
ogy meeting detailing his findings,
which showed that caudate nuclei in
MS patients were smaller than in
healthy controls. The atrophy of this
brain structure wasn't associated with
any other measures of disease pro­
gression, such as whole-brain atro­
phy, duration of disease or extent of
brain lesions.
"This suggests that another unde­
termined mechanism may play a role
in gray matter disease," notes Bermel.
"The study also demonstrated that
new computer-assisted imaging ca­
pabilities can show gray matter dis­
ease, which previous MRI's could not
detect. It opens a new window into
the brain."
Bermel and his colleagues in the
UB Center for Computational Re­
search noware establishing a database
of three-dimensional images of cau­
date nuclei from MS patients and cor­
relating each image with each patient's
ability to function. This will allow re­
searchers to track the association be­
tween atrophyand MSsymptoms and, by matching images
from new patients to the database, to predict their disease
stage and progress.
Another young researcher is Andrew Fabiano, a thirdyear medical student at UB, who is analyzing diffusionweighted MRI scans of gray matter structures in MS pa­
tients. This type of scan measures the amount of water that

passes through a brain structure: the higher the diffusion
rate, the less dense the tissue.
Fabiano is assessing the diffusion rates of two different
categories of disease—relapsing-remitting and secondaryprogressive—and comparing them to patients' symptoms.
In results presented at this year's American Academy of
Neurology meeting, Fabiano reported that the diffusion
rate was higher in secondary-progressive patients than in
relapsing-remitting. In the caudate nucleus, a higher diffu­
sion rate was linked to greater physical disability.
His findings suggest that this type of scan could be used

as a noninvasive method to determine and monitor gray
matter tissue damage in MS patients. Fabiano was awarded
a prestigious research grant from the Alpha Omega Alpha
Medical Honor Society to continue this work in Bakshi's
lab this past summer.
As the newest member of the BNAC team, Michael
Sanfilipo, a second-year UB medical student, is applying his

Autumn 2002

Buffalo Physician

7

prior neuroimaging experience in the area of schizophre­
nia to address the question of whether the specific cortical
gray matter areas responsible for "higher" cognitive abilities
are atrophied in MS. Sanfilipo recently received a UB
Summer Research Fellowship to carry out this project us­
ing a statistical brain mapping program to be run in part­
nership with the Center for Computational Research.
Also within the BNAC, Jitendra Sharma, MD, a graduate
student at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, is collaborating
with a researcher at the University of Trieste in Italy to
develop a highly reliable measure of whole-brain atrophy.
Jin Kuwata, a UB psychology graduate, is administering
cognitive tests to MS patients and comparing their perfor­
mance with the amount of atrophy shown on their brain
scans, making the connection between gray matter damage
and mental function. Christopher Tjoa, a computer science
and premed major at UB, is performing brain mapping in
an effort to develop a standardized image of a healthy brain
against which MS brain images can be compared.

Rohit Bakshi

While current work at the center will continue to con­
centrate on MS, in the future researchers will be analyzing
brain scans of persons with juvenile diabetes, as well as
those with other conditions, such as lupus, stroke, demen­
tia and epilepsy.
"Our main thrust is to determine through MRI analysis
the sites and mechanisms of disease in the brain and to
provide new information about how diseases progress,"
explains Bakshi. "The applications of this work include a
more accurate diagnosis of neurologic disorders and the
ability to accurately predict the disease course at the time
of the earliest symptoms.
"Also, through studying diseases with sophisticated
MRI analysis, we begin to untangle the great mystery of
how the brain functions. Ultimately, this information
could lead to new treatments and—in the best scenario—
to cures for a variety of brain disorders. This is what we all
work toward.''CT>

is founding director of

Upon graduation from medical

scientific papers in such journals as

the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis

school in 1991, Uakshi served a one-

the NewEngland Journal of Medicine,

Center (BNAC), an associate profes­

year internship at the Massachu­

Journal of Neuroscience, Neurology,

sor of neurology in the University at

setts General Hospital and Harvard

Multiple Sclerosis, and Journal of

Buffalo School of Medicine and Bio­

Medical School, followed by a neur­

Neuroimaging. He is also first author

medical Sciences and a neuroimager

ology residency at the University of

of a 200-page chapter on brain MRI

at the Jacobs Neurological Institute

California at Los Angeles, where he

for the textbook Baker's Clinical

in UB's Department of Neurology.

conducted neuroimaging research

Neurology, updated for 2001.

A Buffalo native.Bakshi is a grad­

with Ur. John Mazziotta. He returned

Oakshi received the 1998 William

uate of Cornell University and the

to Buffalo in 1995 to complete an

H. Oldendorf Award for his neuroim­

UB School of Medicine and Biomedi­

MRI/CT neuroimaging fellowship at

aging research in multiple sclero­

cal Sciences. As an Alpha Omega

the Uent Neurologic Institute.

sis. In 1999,he was appointed to the

Alpha scholar, he completed a neuro­

Bakshi is board certified in neu­

board of directors of the American

science research fellowship in neu­

rology and is certified in MRI/CT by

Society of Neuroimaging and joined

ropharmacology and stroke with

the American Society of Neuroimag­

the faculty of Medscape.In 2000.he

Dr. Alan Faden at the University of

ing. A neurologist and neuroimager.

was appointed to the editorial board

California at San Francisco.

he has published 7U peer-reviewed

of the Journal of Neuroimaging.

wealth of Talent and Resources
Multidisciplinary research program thrives in Buffalo

&

W

he Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis
Center (BNAC) is located in the Jacobs
Neurological Institute at Kaleida Health's
Buffalo General Hospital, part of the Buf­
falo-Niagara Medical Campus. The center,
which is affiliated with the Department of
Neurology in the University at Buffalo
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sci­
ences, has received more than $1 million in
funding since opening two years ago.
The sources of funding, which reflect the center's
multidisciplinary research program, include the Na­
tional Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Juvenile Diabetes
Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the
University at Buffalo. (Computer systems at the BNAC
are maintained by the Engineering Node Service of
UB's School of Engineering.)
"One of the strengths of the BNAC is that we have
thrived on various collaborations with UB investiga­
tors from other departments and other schools, taking
advantage of the wealth of talent and resources avail­
able right here in Buffalo," says Rohit Bakshi, MD '91,
UB associate professor of neurology and director of
the BNAC.
Other neurologists at the Jacobs Neurological Insti­
tute who have participated in the work of the BNAC
include: Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, MD, UB assis­
tant professor of neurology; Steve Greenberg, MD, UB
associate professor of neurology; and Frederick
Munschauer, MD, UB clinical professor of neurology.
In addition, Ralph Benedict, PhD, a neuropsychologist
and UB associate professor of neurology, has collabo­
rated with the BNAC on numerous projects that involve
the study of cognitive and behavioral disorders using
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

. s & v

r-A" -

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•

m

Bakshi has also
:? sr
i \ i ' " f \ % *K ,xv> '5 ^%vs
formed a collabora­
-f.
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tion with Julian
g\'*y 8BJS
Ambrus Jr, ScD,
T- ;iCi
'3 ® T
MD, UB research
•
^• ~t> •
^
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professor of medi­
cine, to study au­
toimmune diseases,
such as antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Richard
Chan, MD, UB assistant professor of neurology (affiliated
with the Jacobs Neurological Institute), and Adnan
Qureshi, MD, UB assistant professor of neurosurgery
(affiliated with UB's Toshiba Stroke Research Center), are
partnering with the BNAC to use MRI to study brain
changes associated with cerebrovascular disease. Murali
Ramanthan, PhD, UB associate professor of pharmaceu­
tical sciences, is working with the BNAC on a $500,000
study supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis So­
ciety to correlate changes in gene expression with lesions
and atrophy on brain MRI scans in patients with MS
using powerful DNA microarray technology.
In addition, Bakshi has been named the imaging point
person for the Buffalo Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics, according to Bruce Holm, PhD, senior vice
provost at UB. "This [collaboration] will allow the BNAC
to assist in fostering imaging applications toward a
variety of disease states in public-private partnerships,"
says Holm.
"I am confident," says Bakshi, "that the imaging data
obtained through the bioinformatics program will de­
velop better patient care and research, as well as economic
spin-offs to benefit our community."
The BNAC is also involved in national and interna­
tional collaborations with research groups in Florida,
England and Italy.
For more information on the research described in this
article or other studies under way at the Buffalo
Neuroimaging Analysis Center, visit the BNAC website at
www.bnac.net. e>

y
S
sterv.
roach

$2 million NIH grant to study irritable bowel syndrome
RRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) IS A GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER
CHARACTERIZED BY RECURRENT ABDOMINAL PAIN AND ABNORMAL BOWEL MOVEMENTS.

/

Second only to the common cold as a cause of work absenteeism in the United States, IBS affects an estimated

one in six Americans and accounts for some three million visits to physicians annually. Although the etiology of the
disorder is poorly understood, the enormous impact IBS has on society is clearly documented by these and other
statistics, which leave little question as to why medical researchers are stepping up their efforts to find new, more
effective ways to treat this often debilitating condition for which there is no standard medical treatment.
One such effort is being undertaken by Jeffrey Lackner, PsyD, a University at Buffalo assistant professor of
medicine, who is collaborating with researchers from the University at Albany to conduct a four-year clinical trial to
test the effectiveness of cognitive therapy and self-help support in relieving symptoms of IBS.

10

Buffalo Physician

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

[ j

I

Pain's Mystery; a m i n d f u l a p p r o a c h

he study, funded by a $2 million grant from the National Insti­
tutes of Health, builds upon a series of smaller studies Lackner
and his group have conducted in recent years that demonstrate
significant promise for these biobehavioral approaches to treat­
ment of IBS.
"Irritable bowel syndrome affects quality of life as much or
more than congestive heart failure. It can seriously disrupt
virtually every aspect of life, from work and travel to recre­
ational activities and relationships with family and friends,"
says Lackner, who points out that 70 percent of individuals with

J.V1

any patients

—

address a patient's beliefs and attitudes toward their pain, their
coping skills or job satisfaction could result in ineffective treat­
ment or continued pain."
IBS is a good example of a disorder whose painful symptoms
are poorly understood in terms of underlying disease, according
to Lackner. "Because of the nature of IBS symptoms and the
fact that standard medical tests do not indicate a problem with
the physical structure of the bowel, the disorder is often wrongly
dismissed by healthcare providers as something other than a real
medical condition," he explains.

and even their physicians—are

surprised to discover that more effective strategies for managing
pain can be learned and that the research supporting cognitivebehavioral treatments is some of the most stringent and
impressive in the chronic-pain literature—Jeffrey Lackner

IBS are women. "Sufferers often feel like they are spectators in
their own lives as they struggle with emotions of helplessness,
embarrassment, anxiety and frustration."
The result, unfortunately, is that many patients suffer in
silence, failing to discuss their symptoms with friends, family
and health professionals.

Diagnostic Criteria Established

A

s director of UB's Behavioral Medicine Clinic in the UB
Pain Center at Erie County Medical Center, Lackner focus­
es his research on identifying the biobehavioral factors that
worsen pain and limit function, as well as on devising ways to
help people suffering from chronic pain resume productive lives.
"Most physicians and patients see pain as a symptom of an
underlying disease," observes Lackner. "However, with chronic
pain, there frequently is no clearly discernable physical cause.
This doesn't mean that these patients are weak malingerers or
that the pain is only in their heads; it means that, like all of us,
their experience of pain is influenced by a distinctive mix of
physical, psychological and environmental factors. Failing to

12

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While no one knows for sure what causes IBS, the consensus
among experts now is that it is not a psychiatric disorder, nor is
it caused by a specific biological or anatomical abnormality.
Instead it is considered a functional disorder of the bowel in that
its symptoms cannot be explained by an underlying structural
abnormality, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or by bio­
chemical abnormalities, such as lactase deficiency.
Because IBS symptoms mimic other diseases whose symp­
toms correspond with physical abnormalities, patients with IBS
often undergo extensive workups before receiving a correct
diagnosis. While these tests may have utility in evaluating certain
gastrointestinal problems, they are not necessary to establish a
diagnosis of IBS.
"Because there is no objective marker of IBS symptoms,
establishing a diagnosis requires recognizing the clinical features
associated with IBS and excluding other medical disorders that
may have a similar clinical presentation," explains Lackner. "The
old view that IBS should be viewed as a 'wastebasket diagnosis'
has been supplanted by an empirically validated symptombased diagnostic system known as the 'Rome criteria.'"
These criteria were developed with the consensus of more

than 30 international authorities and describe the symptoms,
clinical features and diagnostic guidelines for IBS. Currently,
the criteria characterize patients with IBS as having 12 or more
weeks (not necessarily consecutive) in the preceding year of
abdominal pain accompanied by at least two of the following
features: (1) pain is relieved by defecation; (2) onset of pain is
associated with change in stool frequency and (3) onset of pain is
associated with a change in stool appearance. (For more details
on these guidelines, visit www.romecriteria.org.)

Pain Theory and Therapy

D

espite the difficulty in diagnosing IBS, the good news is
that the disorder is treatable, and some of the most
promising interventions include the biobehavioral plans
devised by Lackner and his team at UB.
The rationale for behavioral medicine interventions comes
from research showing an association between IBS and dys­
function in the interaction between the central nervous system
and the enteric (small intestine) nervous system. Scientists now
believe that this dysregulation of the "brain-gut" neuroenteric
systems leads to abnormal patterns of motility (the ability to
move spontaneously; in this case, the gut), enhanced pain sensi­
tivity and increased hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous
system (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary
bodily functions).
"Because 'crosstalk' between the brain and gut is bidirec­
tional, the higher-order brain processes—such as information
processing, attention, beliefs, moods and attitudes—have the
capacity to modify signals between the brain and the intestinal
tract," says Lackner.

Beyond their influence on gut motility and sensation, behav­
ioral factors have been found to influence pain reporting, phy­
sician visits, medication use and treatment outcome, according
to Lackner. "This is particularly true regarding patients with IBS
who seek treatment, versus those with the disorder who don't
seek treatment—not in terms of the severity of their symptoms,
but in terms of psychosocial makeup," he emphasizes.
What this finding has suggested to scientists is that not only
does the learning of these higher-order brain processes play an
important role in the development and maintenance of IBS, but
the 'unlearning' of the same processes can result in a reduction
of IBS symptoms.
"This information led our research team to develop a learn­
ing-based behavioral treatment program that teaches patients a
set of practical, concrete skills to reduce gastrointestinal symp­
toms in much the same way as patients can learn to lower their
blood pressure by modifying health behaviors," says Lackner.
The 10-week program, designed by Lackner and his colleague

Leonard Katz, MD, and Susan Krasner, PhD, are collaborators on the study.

Susan Krasner, PhD, is individualized for each patient based on
an intensive interview aimed at assessing the different aspects
of a patient's pain, including its quality, location and triggers, as
well as factors that maintain it.
"We get far beyond 'Does it hurt?' and 'Where does it hurt?"'
Lackner says. "For us, the important question is, 'What per­
sonalized treatment plan based on available scientific research
stands the best chance of improving this patient's function­
ing for his or her specific pain syndrome?' By integrating data
from our medical pain specialists with data from behavioral

A u t u m n

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Buffalo Physician

Pain's

Mystery, a m i n d f u l a p p r o a c h

BRAIN IMAGING S t u d y
rritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a com­

Study participants undergo a positron

with IBS. Goals of the current UB study

mon gastrointestinal condition present in

emission tomography (brain imaging) scan

include adding to this body of research, as

an estimated 25 million people in the

and sensory testing prior to commencing a

well as discovering whether brain areas

United States. While the cause of IBS is not

10-week nondrug biobehavioral program

that do not function correctly in IBS pa­

completely understood, scientists believe

for IBS (see article, opposite, for a descrip­

tients are normalized following completion

that symptoms are provoked by hyper­

tion of this program).

of the 10-week biobehavioral program.

sensitive nerves sending abnormal levels of
pain signals to brain regions that register

At the conclusion of treatment, a sec­
ond set of tests is conducted.

The study's principal investigator is
Jeffrey Lackner, PsyD, a University at Buf­

pain sensations. Research has shown that

The sensory testing task involves place­

falo assistant professor of medicine;

these pain signals—which follow intestinal
contractions, stress, hormonal changes,

ment of a balloon catheter in the lower large

coprincipal investigator is Alan Lockwood,

intestine (colon) by a board-certified gastro-

food intake and bloating—trigger a differ­

enterologist. The balloon catheter is connec­

MD, UB professor of neurology, nuclear
medicine and communicative disorders

ent pattern of brain activity in IBS patients

ted to a computerized pump that inflates the

and sciences and director of the UB-VA

than in individuals without IBS.

balloon to specific pressure levels, which, at

PET Center. Thomas Mahl, MD, UB associ­

their highest, are moderately uncomfortable

ate professor of clinical medicine, and

These findings suggest that IBS involves
"faulty wiring" of the nerves connecting

for a short period of time. The patient's re­

Leonard Katz, MD, UB emeritus professor

the gastrointestinal system and the brain.

sponse to the balloon inflation is measured

of medicine, are serving as the study's gas­

The Behavioral Medicine Clinic of the Uni­

by taking the PET scan, which creates pic­

trointestinal specialists. Funding is provided

versity at Buffalo School of Medicine and

tures of brain blood flow patterns that allow

by an Interdisciplinary Research and Cre­

Biomedical Sciences and the University at

scientists to visualize not only the fine struc­

ative Funds award from the University at

Buffalo-Veterans Affairs' PET center are

tures of the brain but also the level of activ­

Buffalo and the National Institutes

currently conducting a study designed to
compare brain activity to visceral (bowel)

ity taking place in various parts of the brain.

of Health.

To date PET research has been very im­

For information on this study, or how

stimulus of individuals with IBS versus
healthy volunteers.

portant in identifying specific regions of

to participate in it,contact the UBBehavioral

the brain that are more active in patients

Medicine Clinic at (716) 898-6254.
—S. A. UNGER

evaluations, we identify the environmental, physical and per­
sonal factors that contribute to pain and then work to improve
functioning."
Armed with a clear picture of the type of pain and the type of
person, Lackner and Krasner set out to teach their clients how to
work around the pain and return to a better quality of life. To
accomplish this, they draw on a variety of clinically proven
behavioral techniques. A plan may include learning behavioral
self-management tools to challenge information processing
errors that influence pain and response to treatment.
"For example, pain patients learn to recognize the earliest
thoughts and reactions that accompany a pain flare-up and to
modify their responses to them," says Krasner, who is also a pain
psychologist and UB clinical assistant professor of anesthesiol­
ogy. "Patients are taught that 'automatic thoughts,' such as 'the
pain will never end' and 'there is no hope,' can be replaced with
substitutes, such as 'the pain has always lessened in the past'
and 'change is possible; there is always hope,' to help to reduce
pain and related distress."

1 4

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Impressive Results, Further Research

O

ver the past 15 years, this behavioral self-management
approach has been subjected to rigorous scientific stan­
dards in a series of clinical trials. The results show that 70 to 80
percent of IBS patients achieve a clinically significant—50 per­
cent or more—reduction in IBS symptoms and maintain these
gains for up to three months of follow-up.
"A major goal of our current NIH trial is to assess the extent
to which treatment gains are maintained at 12 months after the
completion of treatment," says Lackner.
"Many patients—and even their physicians—are surprised to
discover that more effective strategies for managing pain can be
learned and that the research supporting cognitive-behavioral
treatments is some of the most stringent and impressive in the
chronic pain literature," he continues.
"Cognitive-behavioral therapy can't promise patients total
freedom from a medical problem as complex as IBS pain," he

says, "but it can teach patients to feel less hampered by it."
To date, 200 people from Buffalo and Albany have been
enrolled in the NIH clinical trial. In addition to monitoring the
effectiveness of the treatment a year after its conclusion, the
researchers are seeking to determine if participation in cogni­
tive therapy or a support group improves symptoms compared
to a control group. They are also attempting to establish which
aspects of treatment are responsible for a decrease in symptoms,
as well as which symptoms may predict positive outcomes.
Working alongside Krasner, who is a therapist on the Buffalo
study, is Leonard Katz, MD, UB emeritus professor of medicine,
who is serving as the study's gastrointestinal specialist.
"We think the findings from our preliminary studies are very
promising, but we don't help our patients as much as we'd like,"
says Lackner. "We need to improve on what we're doing. There
is still a lot we don't know, and we think our current work will
provide many more answers."

B

'rimary care physicians can treat an estimated

70 percent of patients with irritable bowel syn­
drome. Only 30 percent of patients have moderate
to severe symptoms that occur two or more
times per week and interfere with daily activities.
In complex cases, patients do not typically re­
spond to treatments that only target normaliza­
tion of the gut; instead they may require formal
instruction in symptom self-management skills.
Studies show that, even in severe cases, treat­
ment such as that offered at the University at
Buffalo's Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Center can significantly reduce IBS symptoms by
up to 80percent.
To learn more about the ongoing National
Institutes of Health clinical trial for treatment of

Lois Baker, senior editor in News Services at the University at
Buffalo, contributed to this article.

IBS described in this article—or criteria for refer­
ring a patient to this trial—call (716) 898-6254
or (716) 898-5671.

G>

We practice law
for those who practice health care.

Phillips, Lytle understands that health care providers face unique legal challenges.

HIPAA, STARK,

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audits. These are all hot topics that we are prepared to help you with.
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P H I L L I P S ,

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Autumn 2002

Buffalo Physician

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A Conversation with Dean Michael Bernardino

N APRIL 1998, Michael Bernardino, MD,
MBA, was named vice president for health
affairs at the University at Buffalo, respon­
sible for overseeing the clinical and col­
laborative activities of the university's five
health sciences schools: medicine and bio­
medical sciences, dental medicine, health
related professions, nursing, and pharmacy
and pharmaceutical sciences. In this role, he
has also been responsible for spearheading

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teaching hospitals and for leading the

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cuting joint and cooperative programs of
teaching and research.
In June 2001, UB Provost Elizabeth D.
Capaldi announced that Bernardino
would also serve as dean of the School
of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Buffalo Physician

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the university's relations with its affiliated

health-science deans in planning and exe­

16

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^mioa*

rior to coming to UB, Bernardino was direcI tor of managed care for the Emory University

Ql Where do revenues come from to support the School of
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences?

I System of Health Care. He also served as
professor of radiology at Emory University

A; The school receives revenues from multiple sources

School of Medicine, director of magnetic

that include the state, tuition, practice plan, endow­

resonance imaging and abdominal radiology

ments, and in indirect costs recovered from grants.

at Emory University Hospital and professor

The money we receive from

the State of New York

comes primarily in lines for faculty and administrative

in the Winship Cancer Center.
A native of North Canton, Ohio, Bernardino is a
graduate of Case Western Reserve University and

salaries, and it varies by department, but I'd say, in the
aggregate, it's somewhere between 10 and 15 percent.

Ohio State University, where he earned his medical
degree. He completed his residency training in
diagnostic radiology at George Washington Uni­
versity and earned his master's in business admini­
stration from the Goizueta Business School at
Emory University.

That's not a lot of support from the state.

Al No, and what many people don't realize is that the
type of money we receive makes a big difference. If it's
state money we receive for salaries, it carries fringe
benefits. However, if we use philanthropic money

At our invitation, Dean Bernardino

from the UB Foundation to hire some­

recently sat down to talk with Buffalo
Physician about issues he faces as he
attempts to position the School of
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for

The reason why the
hiring freeze is selective

the future in a healthcare environment

is because there are

that, by many standards, is under­

certain departments

going change and upheaval to a degree
that is unprecedented.
Because funding considerations
underlie all decisions he must make,
we focused the conversation on the

that are critical to the
school's mission and
these core departments
must be healthy if the

topic of the school's budget.
Future issues of Buffalo Physician
will intermittently publish other con­

school is to be healthy.

versations with the Dean on a variety of
topics, as well as conversations with the
school's senior associate deans: Margaret Paroski, MD,
(medical education and admissions), Roseanne Berger,

one, we have to come up with another
30 to 40 percent to cover benefits,
which means that money doesn't go
as far as state money does.
So, if you look at our state tax sup­
port, it's certainly not increasing. As a
matter of fact, over the last five years,
we've had two UUP [United University
Professions) increases to absorb. The
state signed the contract approving the
increases, but didn't fund them. There­
fore, we haveto come up with the money
for the increases, which means there's
less money available.

Q: How much are these increases, and how are they
being absorbed?

MD, (graduate medical education) and Suzanne

Al The most recent raise [effective in August 2002] was

Laychock, PhD, (research and biomedical education),

3.5 percent, and our school's component amounted to

each of whom will be asked to talk about issues perti­

$1.4 million. In lune, Provost Capaldi said she will

nent to her respective areas of responsibility.

cover the raise for all schools throughout the univer­

The goal in publishing this series of interviews is to

sity, including ours. The caveat, however, is that the

inform our readers about the complex economic, po­

deans are being asked to trim costs in their respective

litical, regulatory and historic considerations school

schools, although no firm number has yet been pro­

leaders must weigh in making decisions and to pro­

vided to us by the provost. Further complicating the

vide a larger context within which to understand the

picture is the fact that one week after the provost

many new developments taking place on campus.

agreed to cover the UUP increases, we were informed

Comments and questions, and suggestions for

that there will be an additional 1 percent state budget

future topics, are welcome and can be emailed to

cut, SUNY wide, effective January 1, 2003. What that

bp-notes@buffalo.edu or mailed to the address listed

means is that we're going to have to turn over 1 percent

on the inside front cover of the magazine, below the

in state operating dollars, and this will be done pri­

heading "Letters to the Editor."

marily through retirements. That money will go back

—S. A. UNGER, EDITOR

to SUNY Central, to the governor's office.

Autumn 2002

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Not everyone gets what they want, but in an era that demands management with zero
growth in resources, there's no other way to do it. Essentially, it requires prioritization in a
global budgetary sense, which is very difficult in any kind of academic situation.

We also have been alerted to the fact that there may
yet be another tithe next spring after the elections.
Nothing is for certain, but this "alert" and the other
uncertainties in revenue stream that I've described
puts me in a very difficult position because how can I
in all good conscience tell people to go ahead and hire
if I may not have the money to fund the positions?
Q: Is this why you announced a selective hiring freeze this
summer, effective July 1?

Al Yes. It makes it very difficult to manage with these
types of funding variables, these uncertainties. The
reason why the hiring freeze is selective is because
there are certain departments that are critical to the
school's mission and these core departments must be
healthy if the school is to be healthy. This may offend
and anger some chairs and faculty; but on the other
hand, it's a fact of life: If you're looking to the future,
you must have core departments, such as medicine,
pediatrics and surgery, that are functioning well, or
else we will have difficulty teaching 135 students.
So what we've done is delay some of the hiring. If
I feel that we have enough money in the future to
cover what might be the tithe, then we'll go back to
the original game plan for hiring.
Q" What were the budgetary challenges you faced when
you first came to UB four and a half years ago? What have

open records, and there are boards that oversee
their operation.
A significant result of this is that we now have a
budgeting process that is consistent and uniform, as
well. We meet with departmental chairs about 6 to 7
months in advance of the new fiscal year and we look
at what their wish list is and give them a budget of
how much we can spend in their departments. This
planning has been very beneficial.
In the past, this process varied a great deal. There
is still some variation—especially in terms of
knowledge—but the chances of significant financial
shortcomings have been dramatically lessened. That
doesn't mean that any one of the departments won't
have trouble in any one year, depending on the local
healthcare environment, but it's far less likely to take
place than in the recent past.
Not everyone gets what they want, but in an era
that demands management with zero growth in re­
sources, there's no other way to do it. Essentially, it
requires prioritization in a global budgetary sense,
which is very difficult in any kind of academic situa­
tion. 1 would absolutely love to make everyone hap­
py, but the fact is we don't have that kind of money,
and it's unlikely we'll have it in the next few years.
Another significant outcome of this reform pro­
cess is that there is now a clear understanding of the
school's—not just the practice plan's—sources of
revenue and expenses. All sources can be identified.

you done to confront these challenges?

A? When I first came to UB, I focused on trying to gain
some semblance of understanding about the practice
plan, which varied from department to department
and was very fragmented. We have reformed the plan
as far as possible within the parameters of the state's
rules, regulations and labor contracts. We now have a
single accounting system for all of the practice plans—
a single 'lockbox'—that operates under an umbrella
organization called UB Associates. All departments
have a uniform accountingsystem; they all 'look alike,'
and theyare all nonprofit organizations. All plans have

II

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Autumn 2002

Q: In a recent Town Hall meeting*you said that there has never
been a comprehensive plan for using the state money that the
school receives but that, in the future, these funds would be
allocated in a more systematic way. Can you elaborate on this?

Al To put

this in perspective, you have to remember
that there was a plethora of money coming into the
school in the late '70s and early '80s; the school had a
lot of money and was very well off. However, what
happened is that between 1990 and 2000, over $10
million was taken out of the school, primarily for the
North Campus. Money is no longer being redirected

from the South Campus to the North Campus, but
the fact of the matter remains that if this had not
happened, the school's state operating budget would
have been $10 million more than it is now.
Secondly, if you look at how state funds have been
distributed to clinical faculty, there doesn't appear to
have been a formula governing this disbursement.
Granted, the rationale for these disbursements may
have been more evident in years past, but, in retro­
spect, it doesn't make sense that certain departments
receive a disproportionate amount of money in rela­
tion to the number of medical students taught.
In the future, what I think we need to look at is
this: There should be for both the clinical and the
research faculty a standard method for determining
how money is allocated. For example, if a clinician
comes in at an associate professor level, his or her
salary will be in the 'x' dollar range, while a clinician
who comes in as an assistant professor will qualify
for a salary in the ly' dollar range. If an individual
comes in and is going to conduct research half time,
then he or she gets compensated for that propor­
tionally because we are buying that research time.
I think, in the past, some people could have argued
that certain departments in the school were subsidiz­
ed by the state and to some extent their affiliated hos­
pitals were also being subsidized. So, this is problem

thing over the last five years, so there's no new money
for facilities, and it's going to be very, very difficult to
progress with refurbishing projects on the South
Campus over the next year.
However, in the last five years we have done a lot
of rehabbing of laboratory space and classrooms,
which we've equipped with state-of-the-art educa­
tional technologies. Going forward to the next fiveyear plan, we had hoped to refurbish Acheson and
move the School of Pharmacy into it, but that has
been delayed.
So, this extension of the capital plan does not just
affect the medical school, but all of the health sci­
ences schools. Everyone needs new classrooms and
laboratory space, but it's all had to be delayed.
Ql You have talked a lot about the importance of the school
increasing the amount of philanthropic dollars it receives,
especially unrestricted dollars. Why are these dollars so
important to the school, both now and into the future?

Al When I look at the whole budgetary picture, this is
a glaring weakness as we go forward. There are prob­
lems in the local environment and there are problems
in the state environment, but our school currently has
some 9,000 living graduates, yet receives only about
$200,000 annuallyfrom its alumni. I would very much
like
to see this increase to a minimum of $1 million a
that is not going to be solved overnight because of
year;
ideally, to $4 or $5 million.
existing labor laws and contracts, but it is something
This
is the single biggest piece that needs to be fixed
we are looking at as we move ahead.
in terms of funding. And I think about this when I hear
people say that a priority for the school should be to
Qi In the Town Hall meetings, you have also discussed the
gather top faculty. Quite frankly, we cannot do this
fact that the university is in the fifth year of a five-year bud­
until we have increased philanthropic support.
get capital plan that has been extended another year. Can
Making philanthropy a top priority is going to
you explain how this extension affects the school's budget?
require a paradigm shift in culture on the part of
Al The capital plan is of course for the refurbishing of
faculty and administrators alike. Our primary mission
our facilities—buildings, classrooms and laborator­
must be to support our students in any way necessary
ies. If there had not been a budget crisis in the state
to ensure that they have the best and most positive
this year, the five-year capital plan would have ended.
medical education experience possible. We currently
Instead, it has been extended another year. What
are assessing all aspects of the medical school experi­
this means is that we've pretty much expended every­
ence at UB to determine ways we can do this.
But programs that sup­
* In October 2001, Dean Bernardino began hosting a series of ongoing Town Hall meetings
port our students require
for faculty, staff, students and residents a t various community hospital sites and on t h e
more than a commitment
South Campus. The purpose of these meetings is t o update attendees about developments
of
time and energy; they
a t the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and t o provide them with an opportunity
require
a financial invest­
t o ask questions of t h e dean and t h e school's three senior associate deans. Because the
school is so geographically disbursed, many of the challenges it faces are unique t o a
ment as well, and this is
particular clinical or academic site. Dean Bernardino has viewed the Town Hall meetings
where we need to look to
a s an integral part of t h e school's commitment t o addressing these challenges and t o
our alumni and friends of
recognizing solutions that have been implemented in response t o them.
our school for assistance.

Autumn 2002

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If our students leave here and have not had a good experience,
then they are not going to remain connected to the school and
give back to it.
If we can do the right things for our students now, then they
will be motivated to help their fellow alumni once they graduate
and move on in their careers. We can talk in great detail as we have
here today about the difficulties of obtaining and equitably dis­
tributing support from external government sources, but ulti­
mately, I believe the key to securing the school's future and to
maintaining its stature lies with the support we can receive from
our alumni.
If this problem were solved, this school would be sailing.
fji In general, how do you feel about the school's financial future, given
the budgetary changes you've implemented? Are you optimistic?

A; The bottom line is that the school is no longer in the red. With
the changes we've discussed, I will say that the school is poised to
withstand an adverse environment much better that it was four
or five years ago.
And it should be noted that a lot of other medical schools,

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even those within the SUNY system, are experiencing serious
financial problems. There's a tendency to just look at what is
happening in Buffalo, but quite frankly there are other places
that are in much worse shape. Some of the other SUNY health
science centers had to absorb the 3.5 percent UUP increase, plus
the state's one percent, so they're facing a 4.5 percent setback.
I'm not saying that things are perfect at our school, but if you
look at it in relationship to what is going on around the country,
there are many states that are not doing well; in fact, my under­
standing is that as many as 40 state governments are operating in
the red this year.
To answer your second question, yes, I am optimistic about
the school's future. I'm even more optimistic now that we have
signed new hospital affiliation agreements [see story opposite, as
well as "From the Dean" on the inside front cover of this issue].
These agreements are the structural building blocks for our
school and I am confident they will be a very good foundation
upon which to build its future. So, I feel the school will survive
financially.
And, again, if we can look forward to an increase in philan­
thropy, I believe it will not only survive, but it will thrive.

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Buffalo Physician

Autumn 2002

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New Hospital Affiliation Agreements

N

Set the stage for revitalizing delivery of region's healthcare

ew affiliation agreements negotiated between the University
at Buffalo and its teaching hospitals have defined and fun­
damentally changed the working relationship between the
UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and these
entities. The new agreements also lay the groundwork for
improved and more cost-efficient healthcare in Western New York.
The agreements between UB and
Kaleida Health and UB and the Erie
County Medical Center announced
on August 21, 2002, spell out the roles
of the university and the hospitals in
the healthcare system. In particular,
they stipulate that the university will
have responsibility for medical re­
search and educating medical students
and residents, while the hospitals will
have responsibility for patient care.
A similar agreement between UB
and Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the
Veterans Affairs Western New York
Healthcare System and the Catholic
Hospital System are expected to be
finalized by the end of the year.
At the press conference held on
August 21, 2002, to announce the new
agreements between UB and ECMC
and Kaleida Health, Michael E.
Bernardino, MD, MBA, UB vice pres­
ident for health affairs and dean of
the School of Medicine and Biomedi­
cal Sciences, said the agreements are
designed to enhance the mission of
all parties.
"This new order provides the gird­
ers for building a high-quality regional
healthcare system," Bernardino said.
"These new affiliations can set the stage
for revolutionizing and revitalizing

healthcare delivery in this region."
Noting that this is the first time the
relationship between the hospitals and
the medical school has been so clearly
defined, Bernardino described the de­
velopment as "a seminal event in the
medical school's history that promises
tremendous rewards for the commu­
nity." He added that the agreements
could serve as the basis for regional
health planning "by helping us strate­
gically plan for academic missions.
The community could end up with
the best thing of all: rational alloca­
tion of healthcare resources. Better
planning for care will mean better
care and more cost-efficient care."
Major features of the new affilia­
tion agreements between UB and
Kaleida Health and ECMC include:
• UB will become the sole sponsor of
the training of resident physicians and
dentists in affiliated hospitals, bringing
this training in line with that of medical
schools across the country. (The resi­
dency programs in Buffalo have been
sponsored by the Graduate Medical
and Dental Consortium of Buffalo.)
UB also will assume responsibility for
all medical student educational activi­
ties that take place in the hospitals.

• Hospitals will pay the medical school
for the clinical services provided by UB
faculty, rather than paying faculty or
departments directly. In turn, those
funds will be deposited into the respec­
tive departmental practice plans,which
are managed by UB Associates, a sepa­
rate nonprofit organization.
• All research funds generated by UB
faculty conducting research in affili­
ated hospitals, with the exception of
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, will be
managed by the SUNY Research
Foundation or the UB Foundation.
The new affiliation agreements ac­
knowledge the need to ensure that the
clinical practice plan of each depart­
ment supports the medical school's
academic programs; to promote faculty
collegiality and excellence in teaching,
research and clinical activities; to guar­
antee maintenance of common goals
and a common clinical philosophy
among the medical school's depart­
ments and faculty, and to make sure
affiliated hospitals can provide highquality medical care for patients.
Bernardino and the chief operat­
ing officers of affiliated health sys­
tems will form the Joint Affiliation
Committee (JAC), which will advise
the medical school in its academic
strategic planning and approve the fi­
nancial plan for operation of all resi­
dency programs. In turn, the JAC will
provide the structure under which
the hospitals can develop mutually
beneficial working relationships. CD
—Lois BAKER AND ARTHUR PAGE

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Donningthe White Coat
First-year students initiated into their new roles

O

n August 16, 2002, the University
at Buffalo School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences welcomed its
Class of 2006 at the fifth annual
White Coat Ceremony, held in
Slee Hall on the North Campus.
The ceremony is a rite of pas­
sage for first-year medical students, who
are reminded of their responsibility to
care as well as cure patients by endorsing
a psychological contract of professional­
ism and empathy at the start of their med­
ical careers. To formalize this commitment,
they are officially "cloaked" with their first
white coat, after which they recite the
Physician's Oath, a modern version of the
ancient Hippocratic Oath.
Opening remarks were delivered by
Michael E. Bernardino, MD, MBA, vice
president for health affairs at the Uni­
versity at Buffalo and
dean
of the School of
"Of all the skills you
Medicine and Biomedical
are going to learn in
Sciences, who then intro­
medicine, learning to duced the keynote speak­
er, Richard Sarkin, MD,
communicate with
clinical associate profes­
patients and family is sor of pediatrics.
Sarkin talked to the
the most important."
students about the re­
sponsibilities and privi­
leges inherent in the profession they are
entering and shared with them advice
about how to make the journey through
medical school as healthy and positive an
experience as possible, despite the great
pressure each student will feel.
"It's not easy being a physician, which
you all are going to find out very soon, and
gatherings like the White Coat Ceremony
are just a start to understanding what the
role of the physician really is," Sarkin said.

22

Buffalo Physician

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

Stephen Pollack, MD '82. vice president of the Medical Alumni Association, cloaks Marilyn Augustine. Class of 200G.
He then shared simple, yet profound, ad­
vice he received from an older physician
many years ago—advice, he says, that has
influenced him throughout his career.
"This person said to me that I should
treat each of my patients with the same
respect and compassion that I would ex­
pect a member of my family to receive,"
he recalled.
Sarkin then set forth "a few suggestions
for the coming years" for the students to
follow in order to bring balance to their
lives. "First, learn to communicate very
well with patients and family," he advised.

"Of all the skills you are going to learn
in medicine, learning to communicate
with patients and family is the most im­
portant. The average physician conducts
more than a hundred thousand inter­
views over the course of his or her career.
Learning to communicate and learning
to listen are essential qualities of out­
standing physicians.
"Second, find some balance. Work
hard, but find some things to do outside
of medical school that are meaningful to
you. That could be family, friends, hob­
bies or community service. These are

things that should be meaningful to you
and important to you. I can't tell you what
they are, but seek them out.... Balance is
hard to find, but it's essential.

t

"M ext, take care of yourself. If you don't
rest and find balance, you will become
I stale," cautioned Sarkin, who used the
analogy of a tree cutter who had to work
much harder to accomplish his goal be­
cause he hadn't taken the time away from
his work to sharpen the blade of his saw.
"This is the story of all of our lives," Sarkin
noted. "It's the story of everyone here on
this stage today, of your family and friends.
You need to figure out how to find time to
sharpen your saws. You've got to eat well,
exercise, rest, find ways to reduce stress,
find a way to do some fun things. You're
going to tell your patients to do just this,
so you have to find a way to do it yourself.
"Lastly, make medical school fun,"
Sarkin concluded. "You're going to work
long and hard; I can promise you that. But
don't take school too seriously and don't
take yourself too seriously.
"Things go by so quickly. If you can

think about ways to make med­
ical school fun, it's going to be
much more useful to you."
Following Sarkin's address,
Toni Ferrario, MD, UB clinical
assistant professor of surgery,
was presented with the Human­
ism in Medicine Award (see
article, opposite).
Margaret Paroski, MD '80,
MMM, senior associate dean
for academic affairs and admis­
sions, then gave an overview of
the Class of 2006 and intro­
duced each of the students as
he or she was being cloaked.
The ceremony concluded with
Dean Bernardino leading the
students in reciting the Phy­
sician's Oath. G>
—S. A. UNGER

2002 Humanism Award
Toni Ferrario, MD, clinical assistant professor of sur­
gery, was presented with the University at Buffalo
School of Medicine and Biomedical Science's Human­
ism in Medicine Award at this year's White Coat
Ceremony. Nominations for the award are made by
students in the clerkship years.
In presenting the award, Charles Severin, MD
'97, PhD, assistant dean for
years one and two in the

If I

Office of Medical Education,
read a composite of the com­

k
%
;§

ments made by students who
nominated her for thisaward.
"Dr. Ferrario is absolutely
outstanding in every category
that you listed. I watched her
deal with terminally ill patients
at the VA medical center with

The annual White Coat Ceremony
is sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold
Foundation, UB's Medical Alumni
Association, and the Medical School
Parents' Council.

phenomenal compassion and
empathy. One patient in par­

Ferrario

ticular comes to mind who

had inoperable colon cancer. Dr. Ferrario made all the
arrangements for the family to work with hospice and
others in order to help them come to terms with their

"Class" Profile—2

loved one's prognosis. In that sense, she was like no
other surgeon I have had the opportunity to observe.
"Dr. Ferrario was always available and enthu­
siastic in her interactions with me when it came time

Number of Applicants: L ,819; INTERVIEWED 454

to showing me what surgery was all about, both in

Class Size: 135

and out of the operating room.

Male-Female Ratio: 59 MEN> 76 WOMEN

off hours for extra help and was always friendly and

Where They Call Home: 44 FROM WESTERN NEW YORK.;

approachable. She treated everyone around her with

27 FROM EXTENDED WESTERN NEWYORK ; 10 FROM UPSTATE;

respect, whether they were students, residents, hos­

46 FROM DOWNSTATE; 8, OTHER

pital staff or fellow attendings.

Age: AVERAGE AGE IS 23; THE OLDEST IS 44; THE YOUNGEST, 20;

from the standpoint that I think that she, as a woman,

"She made herself available to students during

"She was an outstanding role model, especially

17 ARE OVER 26

must have faced additional obstacles in becoming a

Academic Background: AVERAGE GPA IS 3.54; OVERALL

surgeon."

AVERAGE MCAT SCORE IS A LITTLE UNDER 29. TWELVE HAVE

Support for the Humanism Award is provided by

MASTER'S DEGREES; 95 ARE SCIENCE MAJORS AND 40 ARE

the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.

NON-SCIENCE MAJORS.

—S. A. UNGER

Autumn

2002



grees in statistics from the

LEONARD

—S.A. UNGER

scholar in the

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

!u 11a I o

Physician

^jjjj

area of addictions, has
received a prestigious MERIT
Award for his research from
the National Institutes of
Health's National Advisory
Council of the National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse
and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Leonard is a senior
research scientist in UB's
Research Institute on
Addictions (RIA) and
director of the Division of
Psychology within the
Department of Psychiatry in
the UB School of Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences.
The MERIT (Method to

TIP

Extend Research in Time)
Award is a selective and
highly coveted award that is
extended to investigators who
have demonstrated superior
creativity, skill and outstand­
ing productivity during the
course of their research
careers. They relieve investi­
gators from writing frequent
renewal applications by
providing the opportunity to
gain up to 10 years of
uninterrupted support.
Leonard's award is one of
only five made in the last
decade by the Prevention
Research Branch of NIAAA.

Marshall Heads RPCI's
Cancer Prevention
Program

A member of RIA since
1986, Leonard focuses his
research on marital/family
processes, parenting and
infant development, interper­
sonal aggression, bar violence
and domestic violence. He
currently is the principal
investigator on three projects
funded by the NIAAA.
In 1996 Leonard was
named a fellow in the
Division of Addictions by the
American Psychological
Association. He has coauthored three books and
numerous book chapters.
—KATHLEEN WEAVER

James R. Marshall, PhD, has
been appointed senior vice
president for Population
Sciences and Cancer Preven­
tion at Roswell Park Cancer
Institute (RPCI), following an
extensive nationwide search. In
this role, he will be responsible
for the overall direction of the
Cancer Prevention Program of
the institute's cancer center
support grant and expansion
and oversight of prevention
and populations sciences
programs at RPCI. Marshall

SURVIVAL 101

Expect the unexpected.

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Order your
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University at Buffalo
The State University of New York

UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
Main Street
I II I f a I o P h y s i c i a n

Autumn 2002

MARSHALL

comes to RPCI

Buffalo, where he served until

and book chapters and is an

a Finalist Award of The

from the Arizona

1981. Between 1981 and 1996,

associate editor for the

Endocrine Society and

Cancer Center

Marshall was a faculty member

American Journal of Epidemiol­

Pharmacia Corporation

in Tucson, where

of UB's Department of Social

ogy and Cancer Epidemiology,

International Award for

he served since

and Preventive Medicine,

Biomarkers and Prevention.

Excellence in Published

1996 as associate

School of Medicine and

—DEBORAH PETTIBONE

Clinical Research

director of

Biomedical Sciences, rising

Cancer Preven-

in rank from assistant to full

tion and Control

professor (1981-1983), and in

and professor of public health

UB's School of Health Related

and medicine at the University

Professions (1991-1996).

of Arizona College of Medicine.
Marshall earned his doctoral

Marshall's research interests
focus on the identification and

degree in sociology from the

testing of chemoprevention

University of California at Los

strategies in human popula­

Angeles in 1977. He joined the

tions. He has authored or

faculty of the Department of

co-authored more than 200

Sociology at the University at

journal publications, abstracts

in The Journal of

Dandona's Research
Publications
Recognized

Clinical Endocri­

Paresh Dandona, MD, head of

award was

the Division of Endocrinology
in University at Buffalo's
School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences and
director of the DiabetesEndocrinology Center of
Western New York, received

nology and
Metabolism. The
presented during
The Endocrine
Society Awards

DANDONA

dinner, held
during the society's annual
meeting in San Francisco.
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Autumn 2002

I II I f a I o P h y s i c i a n

#

PA

T

H

W

A

Y

S

Louis A. and Ruth Siegel leaching Awards
FACULTY
AWARDS

The Louis A. and Ruth Siegel Awards are presented annually in order to recognize the importance of
superior teaching in the clinical and preclinical years, as well as to encourage ongoing teaching excel­
lence. Recipients of the awards are chosen by students through a nomination process, with final input

The following

from a committee comprising representatives from each of the school's four classes.

awards were

sity at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences for 21 years. In 1977, he and his wife, Ruth,

Louis A. Siegel, MD '23, served as an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the Univer­
endowed the Siegel Excellence in Teaching Awards.

presented at the
University at
Buffalo School of
Medicine and
Biomedical

Preclinical

Volunteer

Clinical

Linda Wild, MD

Jack Coyne, MD

Steven Noyes, MD, associate

'76, associate

'85, associate

professor of clinical medicine

professor of clinical

professor of

pathology

clinical pediatrics

Sciences' Annual
Faculty Meeting,

House Staff and Special Awards

held on
May 29, 2002.

RENEE

DAVID

ELEFTHERIOS

BAUGHMAN, MD '99,

PIERCE, MD,

MERMIGAS,

gynecology/obstetrics

instructional

support

Stockton Kimball Award honors a faculty member for academic accomplishment and worldwide recognition as an investigator and
researcher. Stockton Kimball, MD '29, was dean of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine from 1946 to 1958, and his
contributions to the training of physicians in Buffalo spanned more than a quarter of a century.

The 2002
recipient
of the
StocktonKimball
award is
L.Nelson
(Nick)
Hopkins, MD, professor and
chair of neurosurgery and
professor of radiology at the
University at Buffalo.
Hopkins, who also serves
as director of UB's Toshiba
Stroke Research Center and as

Buffalo Physician

chair of neurosurgery at
Millard Fillmore Hospitals,
has published extensively in
areas involving endovascular
neurosurgery, including the
microsurgical treatment of
intracranial and extracranial
vascular disease. Most
recently, he has focused his
research on experimental an­
eurysms, cerebral vasospasm
and intravascular stents.
Hopkins has served in
numerous leadership
capacities in the Congress of

Autumn 2002

Neurological Surgeons, the
American Academy of
Neurological Surgeons, the
New York State Neurosurgical
Society, the American
Association of Neurological
Surgeons, and the American
Heart Association. In
addition, he has been a
visiting professor at many
major research universities
and has served on the editorial
board of Neurosurgery.
"Dr. Hopkins has been
an active researcher and

respected professional
colleague at the University
at Buffalo for most of his
career and exemplifies
excellence in its broadest
sense, which is the hallmark
of the Stockton Kimball
Award," says Suzanne
Laychock, PhD, senior
associate dean for research
and biomedical education
at UB, who presented
the award.
—S. A. UNGER

Dean's Award
The Dean's Award is given in special recognition of extraordinary service to the School of Medicine

"Dr. Duffner

and Biomedical Sciences.

has done many,
many things

This year,
Dean
Bernardino
presented
the award
to Patricia
K. Duffner,
MD '72,
professor of neurology and
pediatrics and a physician in
the Department of Neurology

for the school,
and has really
gone above and
beyond in all
her efforts."

at Kaleida Health's Children's
Hospital of Buffalo.
Duffner served the school
as interim chair of neurology
for 18 months and was elected
president of the UB Medical
Alumni Association this past
spring. She also respresented
the school as a member of
Kaleida Health's board of
directors. "In addition, Dr.

Duffner did yeoman's work
on the LCME self-study this
past year and chaired a
separate sub-committee for
this study," said Dean
Bernardino. "She has done
many, many things for the
school, and has really gone
above and beyond in all her
efforts, which are greatly
appreciated,"he added.

634-4100

Laura Rendano is a student at the University at Buffalo

keysercadillac.com

School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She will
graduate in 2003 with an MD/MBA degree.

I»f f a Io Physician

Autumn 2002

N

A DNA Research Gift
By Linda J. Corder, PhD, CFRE
LLAN WADE PARKER has never been on the campus of the
University at Buffalo nor seen the city of Buffalo. He was
born in Seattle, graduated from the University of Wash­
ington and completed graduate studies at Harvard. He
served in the United States Air Force during World War II
and retired a lieutenant colonel. Mr. Parker had a success­
ful business career in the food industry, with special ex­
pertise in manufacturing machinery for food process­
ing. He lives in San Francisco, where he has both a
professional relationship and personal friendship with
Martin Terplan, MD, a 1955 graduate of our school.
Through discussions with Dr. Terplan, Mr. Parker
revealed his belief in the importance of medical research
and his personal dream of underwriting promising sci­
entific initiatives that might further the understanding
of life—through elucidating its smallest and often elusive
components. At the same time these private
conversations were taking place, there was an
exciting public announcement in Buffalo re­
garding the collaboration between the Uni­
versity at Buffalo and Hauptman-Woodward
Medical Research Institute to form a new De­
partment of Structural Biology within the UB
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Terplan shared this information with
Mr. Parker, and then asked me to visit and
join in those discussions.
IT IS HIS HOPE
THAT THESE TWO
UNIVERSITIES
WILL BE ABLE TO
COMBINE
KNOWLEDGE AND

The ultimate result is that this year
Mr. Parker saw one of his dreams come true.
Realizing that research tends to be collabo­
rative in nature, and often synergistic, he
established research funds at two major

medical schools: at the University of Wash­
INNOVATIVE
ington, his alma mater, for the Department
STUDIES ALREADY
of Genome Sciences; and at UB for the De­
UNDER WAY AT
partment of Structural Biology. His DNA
EACH
Research
Gifts will give future generations of
INSTITUTION.
selected doctoral student researchers, post­
doctoral fellows and young faculty research­
ers in both medical schools the opportunity to delve more
deeply into the mysteries of the human genetic code, its
CONTINUE THE

attendant proteins and other
component parts. It is his hope
that these two universities will
be able to combine knowledge
and continue the innovative
studies already under way at
each institution. He also hopes,
by his example, to encourage
other scientifically minded and
philanthropically inclined in­
dividuals to participate in what
is ultimately important for
everyone, the betterment of all life on Earth.
Endowment gifts comprise a small, but increas­
ingly significant, source of future income for the
school. As with all endowment (perpetual) gifts to the
school, the principal of Mr. Parker's gift will be held
and invested, with a small percentage of its market
value disbursed each year. These annual disbursements
provide a steady income stream for a designated pro­
gram, for a specific department or for a stated pur­
pose, such as student scholarships. These resources are
a hedge against inflation, economic downturns, fluc­
tuations in the state's political climate and variations
in the numbers of alumni and friends who support
the school through annual gifts. Today's students,
residents, faculty and staff benefit from earlier en­
dowment gifts. Tomorrow's school is being creatively
strengthened by today's contributions.
In the pages that follow, the school's endowments
are listed. If you would like information about initiating
a named endowment, making a gift to an existing fund
or have questions about the school's combined endow­
ment, please contact me. All of us who learn, teach and
conduct research in this unique institution extend our
appreciation and thanks to alumni and friends who
made endowment gifts during the past year.
Linda (Lyn) J. Corder is associate dean for alumni affairs
and development. She can be contacted at 1-877-8263246 (UBMDBIO) or via e-mail at ljcorder@buffalo.edu.

Autumn 2002

Buffalo Physician

D

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O

P

M

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N

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W

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., , Medicine
iomedical Sciences
elow we list the endowments held by both the UB Foundation and the state for the benefit of the School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences and the Health Sciences Library. Endowments that received additional contributions between 7/1/01
and 6/30/02 are in bold print. An asterisk (*) indicates a new fund that was established during this time frame. A bold
name combined with an asterisk represents a new endowment that also received initial gifts to fund the principal
and/or associated "spendable" account. If you would like more information about initiating a named endowed fund,
or if you have any questions regarding the school's combined endowment, please contact Linda (Lyn) J. Corder, asso­
ciate dean for alumni affairs and development, toll free at 1-877-826-3246, or via e-mail at ljcorder@buffalo.edu.

MARVIN A. AND LILLIAN BLOCK FUND

icaf Sciences
H.W. ABRAHAMMER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

DR. WILLARD AND JEAN BOARDMAN FUND

SIDNEY ADDLEMAN MEMORIAL

DR. SOLOMON G. BOOKE AND ROSE YASGUR BOOKE FUND

DR. GEORGE J. ALKER FUND FOR NEURORADIOLOGY

JAMES H. BORRELL UROLOGY FUND

THEODORE & BESSIE G. ALPERT SCHOOL OF MEDICINE SCHOLARSHIP

ANNE AND HAROLD BRODY LECTURE FUND

ALPHA OMEGA ALPHA LIBRARY FUND

CLAYTON MILO BROWN MEMORIAL

ALPHA OMEGA ALPHA ENDOWMENT

GEORGE N. BURWELL FUND

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS PRESIDENT'S AWARD

DR. WINFIELD L. BUTSCH MEMORIAL LECTURE IN CLINICAL SURGERY

ANESTHESIOLOGY DEPARTMENT ENDOWMENT

VINCENT CAPRARO LECTURESHIP FUND—CLASS OF 1945

BACCELLI MEDICAL CLUB AWARD

DR. CHARLES F. CARY MEMORIAL

L. B. BADGERO MEDICAL SCHOOL FUND

DR. AND MRS. JOSEPH A. CHAZAN MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP

VIRGINIA BARNES ENDOWMENT

CLINICAL PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE FELLOWSHIP

DR. WALTER BARNES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

ALMON H. COOKE SCHOLARSHIP

DR. ALLEN BARNETT FELLOWSHIP IN PHARMACOLOGY

PATRICK BRYANT COSTELLO MEMORIAL

DR. CHARLES A. BAUDA AWARD IN FAMILY MEDICINE

CTG ONCOLOGY FUND

THOMAS R. BEAM, JR. MEMORIAL FUND

JAMES H. CUMMINGS SCHOLARSHIP

GILBERT M. BECK MEMORIAL FUND

EDWARD L. CURVISH M.D. AWARD

DR. ROBERT A. BENNINGER FUND IN ORTHOPEDICS

ALFRED H. DOBRAK, M.D. RADIOLOGY LECTURE FUND

ROBERT BERKSON MEMORIAL AWARD IN THE ART OF MEDICINE

ALFRED H. DOBRAK, M.D. RADIATION RESEARCH FUND*

ERNST BEUTNER SKIN IMMUNOPATHOLOGY AWARD

MAX DOUBRAVA, JR. SCHOLARSHIP FUND

LOUIS J. BEYER SCHOLARSHIP

THE ELIZABETH MEDICAL AWARD

PAUL K. BIRTCH M.D. FUND

DR. ROBERT M. ELLIOT SCHOLARSHIP

Buffalo

Physician

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

THESE ANNUAL DISBURSEMENTS PROVIDE A HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION, ECONOMIC DOWN­

t u r n s , FLUCTUATIONS IN THE STATE'S POLITICAL CLIMATE AND VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBERS OF
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS ANNUAL APPEAL. —LYN CORDER
ENDOWMENT FUND FOR MEDICINE

DR. FRANK WHITEHALL HINKEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ELEANOR FITZGERALD FAIRBAIRN SCHOLARSHIP

RALPH HOCHSTETTER MEDICAL RESEARCH FUND

EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY FUND

DR. SUK-KI HONG MEMORIAL FUND

FAMILY MEDICINE ENDOWMENT

ABRAHAM M. HOROWITZ FUND

FEYLER FUND FOR RESEARCH IN HODGKIN'S DISEASE

LUCIEN HOWE PRIZE FUND

DR. GRANT T. FISHER FUND

DR. MYROSLAW M. HRESHCHYSHYN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT*

L. WALTER FIX, M.D. '43 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND

R.R. HUMPHREY & STUART L. VAUGHAN NU SIGMA NU ALUMNI

EDWARD FOGAN MEMORIAL FUND

SCHOLARSHIP

FORD FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION

HILLIARD JASON AND JANE WESTBERG FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL

THOMAS FRAWLEY, M.D. RESIDENCY RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP FUND

INNOVATION

FUND FOR CELEBRATING PHILANTHROPY

JAMES N. JOHNSTON SCHOLARSHIP

MARCOS GALLEGO, M.D. CLINICAL EXCELLENCE FUND

C. SUMNER JONES LIBRARY FUND

RONALD GARVEY M.D. STUDENT LIFE ENRICHMENT FUND

HARRY E. AND LORETTA A. JORDON FUND

JAMES A. GIBSON ANATOMICAL PRIZE

H. CALVIN KERCHEVAL MEMORIAL FUND

LAWRENCE AND NANCY GOLDEN LECTURESHIP IN MIND & BODY MEDICINE

DEAN STOCKTON KIMBALL MEMORIAL AWARD

WALTER S. GOODALE SCHOLARSHIP

DEAN STOCKTON KIMBALL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

IRENE PINNEY GOODWIN SCHOLARSHIP

DR. JAMES E. KING POSTGRADUATE FUND

CONGER GOODYEAR PROFESSORSHIP OF PEDIATRICS

MORRIS LAMER AND DR. ROBERT BERNOT SCHOLARSHIP

GEORGE GORHAM FUND

DR. HEINRICH LEONHARDT PRIZE

DR. BERNHARDT S. AND DR. SOPHIE B. GOTTLIEB AWARD

DR. CHARLES ALFRED LEE SCHOLARSHIP

ADELE M. GOTTSCHALK SCHOLARSHIP FUND

DR. GARRA K. LESTER STUDENT LOAN

CARL GRANGER, M.D. ENDOWMENT

LLOYD LEVE FUND

DR. PASQUALE A. GRECO LOAN FUND

THE LIEBERMAN AWARD

GLEN E. GRESHAM, M.D. VISITING PROFESSORSHIP

HANS J. LOWENSTEIN AWARD

GLEN E. AND PHYLLIS K. GRESHAM FUND FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH*

LUPUS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ADELAIDE AND BRENDAN GRISWOLD SCHOLARSHIP*

WILLIAM E. MABIE D.D.S. AND GRACE S. MABIE FUND

DR. THOMAS J. AND BARBARA L. GUTTUSO SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD

DR. WILLIAM H. MANSPERGER FUND

GYNECOLOGY-OBSTETRICS DEPARTMENT ENDOWMENT

MEDICAL ALUMNI ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

JEAN SARAH HAHL MEMORIAL

ANNUAL PARTICIPATING FUND FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION ENDOWMENT

EUGENE J. HANAVAN SCHOLARSHIP

MEDICAL SCHOOL CLASS OF 1957 SCHOLARSHIP

FLORENCE M. & SHERMAN R. HANSON FUND FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION

MEDICAL SCHOOL CLASS OF 1958 SCHOLARSHIP

DEVILLO W. HARRINGTON LECTURESHIP

MEDICAL SCHOOL CLASS OF 1963 SCHOLARSHIP

THE HEKIMIAN FUND

MEDICAL SCHOOL CLASS OF 1973 SCHOLARSHIP

HEWLETT FAMILY ENRICHMENT FUND FOR PSYCHIATRY

MEDICAL SCHOOL PROFESSORSHIP FUND

CHARLES GORDON HEYD MEDICAL RESOURCES FUND

ENDOWMENT FUND FOR MEDICINE

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

BUFFALO

PHYSICIAN

MARIAN E. MELLEN FUND

IRA G. ROSS AND ELIZABETH P. Ross, M.D. CHAIR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

MICROBIOLOGY ENDOWMENT FUND

DR. SHELDON ROTHFLEISCH MEMORIAL FUND

DR. DAVID KIMBALL MILLER AWARD

HAROLD S. SANES AND THELMA SANES MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP

EUGENE R. MINDELL, M.D. CHAIR IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

PHILIP P. SANG MEMORIAL FUND

G. NORRIS MINER, M.D. MEMORIAL AWARD

MARIA NAPLES SARNO, M.D. SCHOLARSHIP

COLLEEN C. AND PHILLIP D. MOREY, M.D. SCHOLARSHIP

SCHAEFER FUND IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

RICHARD NAGEL, M.D. ANESTHESIOLOGY RESEARCH

SCHOLARSHIP OF THE PROGRESSIVE MEDICAL CLUB OF BUFFALO

DR. ANGE S. NAPLES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES UNRESTRICTED

THE DR. S. ROBERT NARINS MEMORIAL AWARD

ENDOWMENT FUND

NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION BUFFALO CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

LILLIE S. SEEL SCHOLARSHIP

JOHN P. NAUGHTON AWARD ENDOWMENT

IRENE SHEEHAN FUND

NEPHROLOGY RESEARCH ENDOWMENT

DEWITT HALSEY SHERMAN AND JESSICA ANTHONY SHERMAN FUND

DR. ERWIN NETER MEMORIAL

DR. LOIS A. AND RUTH SIEGEL TEACHER'S AWARD

ANTOINETTE AND LOUIS H. NEUBECK FUND

S. MOUCHLY SMALL, M.D. AWARD IN PSYCHIATRY

FUND FOR NEUROANATOMY MUSEUM

S. MOUCHLY SMALL, M.D. EDUCATION CENTER FUND

NEUROLOGY DEPARTMENT ENDOWMENT FUND

IRVINE AND ROSEMARY SMITH CHAIR IN NEUROLOGY FUND

DR. BENJAMIN E. & LILA OBLETZ PRIZE FUND IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

DR. IRVING M. SNOW FUND

DR. ELIZABETH P. OLMSTED FUND IN BIOCHEMISTRY

MARY ROSENBAUM SOMIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND

OPHTHALMOLOGY FUND

MORRIS AND SADIE STEIN NEUROANATOMY PRIZE FUND

JOSEPHINE HOYER ORTON TRUST FUND

DIANE AND MORTON STENCHEVER LECTURE FUND

VICTOR A. PANARO MEDICAL SCHOOL FUND

JOHN J. AND JANET H. SUNG SCHOLARSHIP FUND

F. CARTER PANNIL, JR. M.D. MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT

JOHN H. TALBOTT VISITING SCHOLARSHIP FUND

STEPHEN J. PAOLINI, M.D. MEMORIAL FUND

KORNELL L. TERPLAN M.D. LECTURE FUND

ALLAN WADE PARKER DNA RESEARCH GIFT*

TREVETT SCHOLARSHIP

PARKINSON RESEARCH FUND

RICHARD E. WAHLE RESEARCH FUND

JOHN PAROSKI MEMORIAL AWARD FUND

MILDRED SLOSBERG WEINBERG ENDOWMENT

ROBERT J. PATTERSON RESIDENT AWARD

E. J. WEISENHEIMER OPHTHALMOLOGY AWARD

DR. MARK PETTERINO MEMORIAL

DR. MARK WELCH AND BEULAH M. WELCH SCHOLARSHIP

PHI CHI MEDICAL FRATERNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

JAMES PLATT WHITE SOCIETY ENDOWMENT

PRIMARY CARE ACHIEVEMENT FUND

WILLIAMS/BLOOM MEDICAL RESEARCH FUND

PROGRESSIVE MEDICAL CLUB OF BUFFALO FUND

DR. MARVIN N. WINER FUND FOR DERMATOLOGICAL RESEARCH

PSYCHIATRY DEPARTMENT ENDOWMENT FUND

WITEBSKY FUND FOR IMMUNOLOGY

DR. HERMAN RAHN MEMORIAL LECTURE ENDOWMENT

DR. ERNEST WITEBSKY MEMORIAL FUND

REHABILITATION MEDICINE ENDOWMENT

FARNEY R. WURLITZER FUND

ALBERT AND ELIZABETH REKATE CHAIR IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

DR. MARK ZALESKI AWARD

ALBERT C. REKATE REHABILITATION MEDICINE LIBRARY FUND

HERMAN AND ROSE ZINKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

DONALD RENNIE PRIZE IN PHYSIOLOGY
DOUGLAS RIGGS AWARD IN PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS

Health tees

Library

THE RING MEMORIAL FUND

ROBERT L. BROWN HISTORY OF MEDICINE COLLECTION

MEYER H. RIWCHUN, M.D. PROFESSORSHIP IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

DR. BERNHARDT S. AND DR. SOPHIE B. GOTTLIEB COLLECTION IN THE
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

EMILE DAVIS RODENBERG MEMORIAL AWARD
THOMAS A. RODENBERG AND EMILE DAVIS RODENBERG SCHOLARSHIP FUND

C. K. HUANG LECTURE FUND

ELIZABETH ROSNER FUND

STOCKTON KIMBALL SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF SYLVIA KIMBALL
DR. EDGAR R. MCGUIRE HISTORICAL MEDICAL INSTRUMENT FUND

4 2

BUFFALO

PHYSICIAN

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

MEDICAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Dear Fellow Alumni,
hope you're having a great autumn! In the midst of the beautiful weather in Buffalo this time of
year, the Medical Alumni Association has been busy organizing student activities and making plans
for next year's Spring Clinical Day and Reunion Weekend.
One of our most important student-related activities is the Physician-Student Mentoring
Program in which freshman are assigned a mentor from the medical community who
remains in contact with the student throughout his or her four years of medical school.
This has been a valuable experience for both students and mentors and would be
particularly worthwhile for those physicians who do not teach on a regular basis. Our
medical students are wonderful and seem to get better every year. Why not become a
mentor and get to know them? If you're interested, please contact the Medical Alumni
Office at 829-2773 as soon as possible.
The 2003 Spring Clinical Day and Reunion Weekend (April 25-26) will be moving
downtown! The topic will be "Bioinformatics," or "How Computers are Changing
Medicine." In view of the multi-million dollar federally funded Buffalo Center of Excellence in
Bioinformatics to be built on the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus, we thought we'd hold this event
downtown so you could experience firsthand the exciting developments under way (see related
article on page 26).
The Friday night cocktail party will be held at the beautiful Jacobs Executive Mansion on
Delaware Avenue (if you've not been there, don't miss this opportunity to see what Buffalo was like
in its glory days). Lectures will be held at Roswell Park Cancer Institute's Hillboe Auditorium
(a state-of-the-art facility), and lunch will be served at the classic Buffalo Club. In the afternoon,
tours of the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus will be provided. I suspect that even many local
alumni haven't seen the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus or heard about the updated plans for it.
The area and the campus are generating a lot of excitement, and I'd like our medical alumni to be
part of it!
Sites for the class dinners, as usual, will be chosen by the class chairs. In subsequent mailings,
additional information will be provided on events at Shea's Buffalo, Studio Arena, Irish Classical
Theater, the Philharmonic, and more.
Finally, with the falling stock market and sluggish economy, many medical students are having
difficulty paying their tuition. To make matters worse, tuition went up $2,000 for the 2001-2002
academic year, and went up another $1,000 for 2002-2003 academic year. The Medical Alumni
Association Scholarship Fund is able to give out only eight $2,000 scholarships per year. If our
endowment increased, however, we could give many more scholarships to our students. We don't
want to lose the opportunity to recruit bright, caring students just because we have less scholarship
money available than competing schools. Please consider donating to the scholarship fund, either in
the envelope provided in this magazine, in your dues statement, or as part of your class gift.
I hope the rest of your autumn goes well. In the next issue of Buffalo Physician, I will report on
the Distinguished Medical Alumnus dinner and the White Coat Ceremony and update you on the
events and programs discussed above.

-

PATRICIA K. DUFFNER, MD '72
President, Medical Alumni Association

Autumn 2002

Buffalo Physician

43

> f t

O

L

A

1940s

"Every­

Douglas Rosing. MO '67.

Rheumatology at Con­

thing!"

lives in Bethesda, MD,

necticut Children's Medi­

Vincent S. Cotroneo. MD

E-mail

James Zeller. MD '52, lives

where he practices cardi­

cal Center in Hartford

'42, is retired from family

address:

in New Philadelphia,

ology in a group practice

and professor of pediat­

practice and lives in Buf­

jaegermd

OH. He retired from

and is on staff at Subur­

rics at University of Con­

falo, NY. Favorite medical

@aol.com.

general surgery in 1985.

ban, Shady Grove

necticut. My clinical

Favorite medical school

Adventists Hospital and

interests include Lyme
disease, chronic pain in

school memories: "Pro­
fessors that were wonder­

Hans Kipping. MD '47.

ful; student association;

Favorite medical school

memories: "Meeting [my
wife] Lorraine. Mike

Washington Hospital
Center. Favorite medical

childhood, and rheumatic

ability to graduate."

memory: "My telephone

Greengold, Class of '51."

school memories: "(1)

disorders. Jesse and I cel­

Saturday morning ana­

ebrated our 15th anniver­

call to the office at the
Glenn R. Arthurs. MD '47.

Medical School and after

Richard F. Mayer, MD '54.

tomy quizzes with

sary this year, and we're

writes: "I live in Stuart,

several

writes: "I am now pro­

Dr. O.P. Jones (2) party­

going strong. Josh is 25,

FL, from October to

minutes

fessor emeritus of neu­

ing with Armstrong,

living in Boulder, CO,

June, then Point Com­

of wait­

rology at the University

Lagratta, Lieberman,

and passionate about

fort, Quebec, Canada,

ing at the

of Maryland School of

(Maisel), Smith, (3)

playing music and

during the summer, with

phone,

Medicine." E-mail

preceptorship with

building a spiritual

one or two cruises in

the sec­

address is: rmayer@som.

Dr. Donald Becker, and

community; Michael

between. Lots of fishing,

retary

umaryland.edu.

(4) working on research

is 14, starting high school

bridge and some golf.

returned

projects with Dr. Francis

and is discovering the joys

Sorry to have missed the

to state I was accepted for

Klocke." E-mail address

of adolescence; Noah is 9

reunion. My best to all."

the Class of 1947."

is drosing@erols.com.

and agreed to hike the

E-mail address is
Henry S. Gardner. MD '47,

hanskip@aol.com.

lives in Sedalia, CO, and
is a semi-retired consult­

Jack Lippes, MD '47, lives

ant to the Social Security

in Buffalo, NY. Favorite

Disability Branch. Favor­

medical school memory:

ite medical school mem­

"Joking around in the

ory: "Primarily the

anatomy lab." E-mail

great classmates. Also,

address is: jlip@acsu.

Dr. Hubbard, who taught

buffalo.edu.

pharmacology and was
somewhat absent mind­
ed. He gave one lecture
without missing an idea

AUTUMN 2002

while he kept searching
his pockets. Near the
end, he found a slip of
paper, and said, 'There
they are—my lecture

George H. Mix, MD '47,

notes.'" E-mail address

writes: "I was in the prac­

is: ahgardner@pol.net.

tice of anesthesiology
until 1970, at which time

1960s
John Randall "Andy"
Anderson, MD '67, lives

in Depew, NY. He is
semi-retired from family
practice and works two
and a half days a week
at the Research Institute
on Addiction.

White Moutains (NH)
James Strosberg, MD '67,

with me every year,

lives in Schenectady, NY.

'forever.' It doesn't

He is board certified in

get much better."

internal medicine, geriat­
rics and rheumatology

Nedra J. Harrison, MD'77,

and is on staff at

writes: "I'm doing breast

Sunnyview Hospital Re­

surgery in private, solo

habilitation Center and

practice again. I'm in

Ellis Hospital. Favorite

Scottsdale, AZ, and abso-

assnotes

James Giambrone, MD '67,

lives in Williamsville,
NY, where he practices
internal medicine. Favor­

medical school memory:

lutely love it! It is the best

"Dr. Donald Becker's

decision I ever made.

welcome speech for

Favorite medical school

freshman."

memory: My one-month

Robert Mason Jaeger. MD

we retired to the Florida

ite medical school

'47, is retired from neu­

Keys. We are now back in

rosurgery and lives in

the Melbourne area,

memory: "Saturday
anatomy sessions with

1970s

Allentown, PA. Favorite

where I practiced in a

O.P. Jones, MD."

Larry Zemel, MD '73, writes:

medical school memory:

retirement community."

Buffalo

Physician

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

"I am currently chief of
the Division of Pediatric

elective as a senior medi­
cal student at Millard
Fillmore Hospital on
Dr. Philip Wels' service."
E-mail address is:
njharriso@hotmail.com.

RELOCATION
HUNT REAL ESTATE ERA

in epidemiology at
Harvard University
School of Public Health,
augmenting my work in
health services research."
E-mail address is dgood
man@northwestern.edu.
Andrew Friedman, MD '85.
writes: "I left the Univer­
sity of Nebraska and the

Richard Berkson. MR '72, lives in Rancho Palos Verdes. Gi, and
practices endocrinology in Long Beach, CA. Favorite medical
school memory: "While working in the Ruffalo General Clinic,
I came across notes my father had made at the clinic many
years before." E mail address is: rberkson@medicity.com.
Pictured above is Richard, his wife. Andrea, and daughters
Meredith. Kathryn, Alanna and Elisabeth.

U.S. Army Reserves and
commissioned as a lieu­
tenant colonel, active
duty in the U.S. Army.
I am practicing plastic
surgery at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center in
Washington, DC."

Duret Smith. MD '77. lives
in Bay Village, OH. He is
an orthopaedic surgeon

E-mail address is: andrew.

1980s

friedman@us.army.mil.

Dave Weldon. MD '81. was

in group practice and on

elected to his fourth term

staff at Lakewood Hos­

in the U.S. House of Rep­

pital, Fairview Hospital

resentatives in November

and St. John's Westshore

2000. This year he is run­

Hospital (in Cleveland).

ning for a fifth term. He

E-mail address is:

is involved in healthcare

dddes@aol.com.

policy and serves on the
Science Committee.

Marciana Washington
Wilkerson. MD '77. lives

Denis M. Goodman. MD '83.

in Bethesda, MD. She is

writes: "I continue to en­

an OB/GYN in group

joy my work in the pedi­

practice and on staff at

atric intensive care unit

George Washington

at Children's Memorial

University and Columbia

Hospital in Chicago and

Hospital for Women in

Northwestern University

Washington, DC. She

School of Medicine. I

and her husband, Dwight

recently completed a

Ford, have two children:

master of science degree

Drew, 19, and Christina,
17. Favorite medical
school memories:
"Biochemistry with
Dr. Murray Ettinger,
and gross anatomy
with Dr. Lee."

we help people move.

writes: "This spring I

Call for a free relocation portfolio
regarding your destination city.
Call 1-800-688-1170 or go on-line
and visit our web site at

was named acting senior

huntrealestate.com

David S. Kountz, MD '85.

associate dean for clinical
affairs at UMDNJ-Robert
Wood Johnson Medical
School, and was selected
as a Master Educator at
the university, one of 36
out of 2,000 faculty
members. I continue to
practice general internal
medicine, teach and con­
duct research in medical
education. Last year I had
the opportunity to travel
to Minsk, Belarus, as part
of a grant from the

Totally customized
service portfolio including
• Nationally trained relocation experts
• Complete family needs analysis
• Global home sale assistance
• Special services for seniors
• Full community tour
• A complete cost of living analysis
• A list of all school systems
throughout WNY
• Complete spousal placement
assistance including resume
writing and corporate contacts
• 24 hour or less response time
• Confidentiality assured

American International

E-maiL j

>1

?

*•> I

)

MARY CROGLIO

Corporate Relations
Officer

Classnotes can also be submitted by
e-mail to: bp-notes@buffalo.edu

Hunt ERA Relocation Center
5570 Main Street
Williamsville, New York 14221-5410
Email: huntrelocation@huntrealestate.com

A u t u m n

2 0 0 2

Buffalo

Physician

C

L

A

Health Alliance to

return to hematology/

Susan Bank. MD '88, lives in

develop a clinic model to

oncology with Century

Chicago, IL, where she

screen patients at high

Medical Associates in

practices psychiatry. She

risk for developing cor­

Williamsville."

writes: "Am expecting in

onary artery disease."

E-mail address is:

October 2002!"

E-mail address is:

RRRomanow@cs.com.

E-mail address is:

kountzds@umdnj.edu.

susanbank@aol.com.
Lorie Leonard. MD '87,

Roslyn Romanowski

writes: "Big numbers for

Thomas Joly. MD/PhD '89.

MD '86. writes: "My

us—29 years of marriage

lives in Cleveland

husband, Robert

for Marty and me, 12

Heights, OH. He com­

Campo, son Richie

years with Amherst

pleted his residency in

(4) and I welcomed

Pediatrics. Our 24-year-

ophthalmology at Case

twins Jocelyn and Peter

old daughter, Kim, is a

Western Reserve Univer­

on May 14, 2002. I'm

fourth-year medical

sity in 2001 (and training

medical school memo­

(now Gais) and Sharon

getting up at night again

student at UB and our

in oculoplastic and or­

ries: "Skipping lectures to

Ziegler at night to find

just like a resident, but

daughters Lindsey and

bital surgery at the Uni­

stay home and read all

out what was actually

we're having lots of fun.

Kristen are ages 17 and

versity of British Colum­

day, then getting together

covered in lectures."

After maternity leave, I'll

12 respectively!"

bia in 2002). Favorite

with Dawn Jedrzejewski

Tom and Lee Joly with their children, left to right:
Amelia, Celeste, Grayson and Nathaniel.

"Hi, I'm Susan Hunt. I invite
you to come to see my Mom's
new home . . . the Amberleigh
Retirement Community.

Are you interested
in publishing an
advertisement in
Buffalo Physician?

If so, contact:
Sharon Russell-Moore
Account Representative
Sharmore Enterprises
248 Broad Street
Tonawanda, NY 14150
(716) 863-1569

You'll smile too!"

AMBERLHGH

A Rental Retirement Community
2330 Maple Road, Williamsville

For a free brochure or personal tour, call

689-4555

4 6

Buffalo

Physician

Autumn

2002

1990s
Cynthia (Leberman) Jenson, MD '92, lives in

Which can
you afford
to waste?

Bangor, ME, and is board certified in anes­
thesiology. She is in group practice and staff

FEATURES

Cindy and Mark Jenson with their chil­
dren Erica, age 4, and Alexandra, age 7,
March 2002.

at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Favorite
medical school memories: "The Follies, Dive
of the Week, Dermatones." E-mail address is:
mcaejenson@adelphia.net.
Eva M. Rorer. MD '92, lives in Germantown,
MD. She completed residency training in
ophthalmology in 1996 at Brookdale Univer­
sity Hospital and a fellowship in ocular im­
munology and uveitis in 1999 at the Wilmer
Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medi­

BENEFITS

• Electronic submission of all
major insurance claims

• Increase your accounts
receivable turnover

• Follow-up of all unpaid claims
and open patient accounts

• Improve collection ratio and
reduce bad debts

• Advisement on and assistance
with insurance carriers and
government regulations

• Optimize revenue through
proper monitoring of charge
master

• Choice of processing
options including on-line
or full-service

• Eliminate costs associated
with computer software and
maintenance

• Easy start-up or conversion
from present billing system

• Transition smoothly and quickly
while maintaining cash flow

• Appointment scheduling
software available on request

• Improve office efficiency and
patient satisfaction

• Expertise on existing and new • Assure your patients' rights are
corporate compliance guidelines protected
• Practice management with
• Gain peace of mind from
professionally trained staff and
knowing that your finances are
experienced C.P.A.'s
being managed optimally

cine. She is currently on staff at the Johns
Hopkins Hospital.

Thomas A. Maher, C.P.A.

Katharyne M. Sullivan, MD '92, lives in

President

Leesburg, VA. She is board certified in
general psychiatry, child and adolescent
psychiatry and is on staff at Graydon Manor
in Leesburg. She and her husband, Alan, have
two children: Robert, age 4, and Hannah, age 2.
Richard J. Kozak, MD '94, writes: "I've been

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS SYSTEMS

MEDICAL BILLING
SPECIALISTS

J

50 Alcona Avenue
Amherst, NY 14226
Tel: (716) 834-1191
Fax: (716) 834-1382
e-mail: pbs50@aol.com

living in Eugene, OR, (Go Ducks!) since
|CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

Servihg tha.MedicaljProfesHion Since 1960

Autumn 2002

H

Buffalo Physician

Monica J. Simons. MD '97,
completed her residency

Cheryl Taurassi. MD '00.

Mt. Sinai Hospital in

writes: "I am in the sec­

New York City. She is

ond year of my pediatric

currently a staff member

residency at Schneider

Howard Wallace, II, PhD '99

at Bronx Lebanon

Children's Hospital,

Howard L. Wallace, II, died on June 20, 2002, as a result of injuries he sustained in

Hospital Center.

Long Island Jewish

an automobile accident. A member of University at Buffalo's Department of Micro­

Center." E-mail

biology, Wallace conducted breast cancer research in the laboratories of Drs. Nejat

David Lin, MD '98, is

address is: ctaurassi

K. Egilmez and Richard B. Banker! He joined the department in 1991 and per­

currently in a cardiology

@hotmail.com.

formed his doctoral work in the laboratory of Dr. John (Ian) Hay. After earning his

fellowship program at the

doctorate in 1999, Wallace worked for two years at Roswell Park Cancer Institute,

University of Rochester,

before returning to UB, where he distinguished himself as a highly competent and

having finished

his inter­

meticulous researcher. Wallace was held in high regard by his co-workers for his

nal medicine residency at

scientific acumen, and he will always be remembered for his charming wit, humor

the University of Michi­

and the very thoughtful and sensitive way he interacted with all of his colleagues.

gan. E-mail address is:
lindavel@hotmail.com.
Keith D. Herr. MD '99,

|C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 4 7

writes: "I am currently in

residency in emergency

Bronx, NY, in 2001. She

residency in family prac­

medicine—a hippie col­

is in a group practice and

tice in 2001 at North

lege town in the Pacific

also on staff at Southern

Colorado Family Medi­

Northwest—

Maryland Hospital Cen­

cine in Greeley, CO. She

paradise. I recently mar­

ter. Favorite medical

is currently on staff at

ried (7-28-01) my long­

school memories: "Match

Fairbanks Memorial

time love since medical

Day and graduation!"

Hospital. Favorite medi­

school, Patricia

E-mail address is:

cal school memories:

Bledinger. She just fin­

ayannaj@earthlink.net.

"Driving cross-country—
from Washington State

ished optometry school.
No plans for kids yet and

Janine McAssey, MD '97,

to Maine—interviewing

no plans to leave Eugene.

lives in Pittsburgh, PA.

at residency programs."

I'm working in a com­

She completed her resi­

munity ED and as EMS

dency in internal medi­

medical director.... Life

cine/women's health in

is good." E-mail address

2000 and a Fellowship

is: rkozak2020@aol.com.

in general medicine/
women's health in 2002,

Thomas Elmer. MD '97, is

both at the University of

chief resident in pediatric

Pittsburgh Medical Cen­

ophthalmology at Louisi­

ter, where she is currently

ana State University.

on staff. Her husband,

E-mail address is:

Robert Frank, is an emer­

thomaselmer@hotmail.com.

gency medicine physi­
cian. E-mail address is:

Ayanna James. MD '97,

jmmcassey@hotmail.com.

lives in Largo, MD. She

4 8

2000s

in OB/GYN in 2001 at

completed her residency

Gina Parlato Pender. MD

in OB/GYN at Our Lady

'97. lives in Fairbanks,

of Mercy Medical Center,

AK. She completed her

Buffalo

A u t u m n

Physician

2 0 0 2

my fourth and final year
of psychiatry at Emory in
Atlanta, and I am toiling
over deciding between a
fellowship in forensic
psychiatry versus private
practice/academics. Any
sage advice welcome.
Well wishes to all."
E-mail address is:
kdherr@ yahoo.com.

Paul A. Guttuso, MD '97,
lives in Lakeland. FL. He
completed his residency in
family practice at UTMB in
Galveston, TX, in 2000 and a
sports medicine fellowship
in June 2001. Favorite
medical school memory:
"Finkelstein laughing at his
surprise birthday party."
He is pictured here with
his wife, Trinia, and twins,
Christopher Paul and
Anthony Peter, born
February 13,2002.

|C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 2 9

Bacteria
However, the results
contribute to the grow­
ing body of evidence
that bacteria cause a
significant portion of
exacerbations.
"This new infor­
mation will act as an
important guide in
developing novel ways
to treat and prevent
exacerbations. More
importantly, it is pos­
sible that such inter­
ventions could actually
slow the progressive
loss of lung function
that occurs in COPD.
That will be one of
the goals of our on­
going research in
the study clinic."
Additional research­
ers on the study were
Nancy Evans, a re­
search nurse with the
VA Western New York
Hospital System, and
Brydon J.B. Grant,
MD, UB professor
of medicine and
physiology. O

Removal of stones from the bladder was one of the earliest and most frequently performed operations.
By the 19th century, it had become a highly successful procedure and carried one of the lowest mortality
rates. However, the sequelae, in addition to frequent infection and lack of anesthesia, made the operation
dreaded by most patients and led to the development of instruments such as these

Lithotomy Forceps

from a set manufactured by Charriere in Paris, circa 1840.
The instrument is part of the Edgar R. McGuire Historical Medical Instrument Collection, housed in
the Robert L. Brown History of Medicine Collection, Health Sciences Library, Abbott Hall, on the University
at Buffalo's South Campus.

Buffalo Physician

Non-Profit Org.

University at Buffalo

U.S. Postage

The State University of New York

•

PAID

3435 Main St.

Buffalo, NY

Bldg. 22
Buffalo. New York 14214-3013

P

C

1

A

N

Permit No. 311

Address Service Requested

UB ' s HISTORY
OF MEDICINE
COLLECTION PRESENTS
PHARMACOPOEIA

This illustration was dig­
itally reproduced from
offizinellen Gewachse, a
four-volume edition of
pharmaceutical plants
and their medicinal uses,
published in German in
1863. The pharmacopoeia
by Otto Karl Berg (18151866) is part of the Rob­
ert L. Brown History of
Medicine Collection, lo­
cated in the Abbott Hall
Health Sciences Library.
Picture here is the
Almond, one of a series
of botanical images digi­
tally restored as part of
an initiative to preserve
and highlight unique re­
sources from the library's
collection.
Reproductions

are

available for purchase
through the library, and
can be viewed online at
iMedia.buffalo.edu/art/.
Image restoration was
performed by iMedia, the
instructional media ser­
vices department of Com­
puting and Information
Technology at UB.

BP 00 04-02