I am a family physician at UBMD Family Medicine where I provide comprehensive care for children and adults. Health maintenance is a cornerstone of my practice, i.e., assuring that patients receive preventive services such as immunizations, Pap smears, mammograms and colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer. I manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, emphysema, depression and addiction, and I treat acute conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, respiratory infections and skin conditions. I perform office procedures, including skin biopsies and therapeutic joint injections. I also provide prenatal care and deliver babies. At Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, together with a team of resident physicians, I care for adult patients who require hospitalization. I maintain excellent relationships with subspecialists and can coordinate consultation with them when my patients need specialized care.

My research is focused on medical education, particularly as it relates to determinants of student choice to pursue careers in primary care.

I serve as the vice chair for medical student education in the Department of Family Medicine and have a special interest in teaching students about the central role of family medicine in providing high quality, cost-effective health care. I direct the first-year clinical skills course in the medical school and routinely lecture in that course on the fundamentals of performing a patient interview and physical exam.

I am also the family medicine clerkship director. As such, I lead small group discussions on preventive screening, the patient-centered medical home and continuity of care in the primary care setting. I developed an innovative program using standardized patients to simulate a six-month continuity relationship with students rotating through the family medicine clerkship. During simulated visits, students address their patients’ chronic medical concerns (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), acute concerns (e.g., knee injury, chest pain) and lifestyle issues (e.g., smoking cessation, diet, exercise). The simulation allows students to experience the challenges and rewards of developing a continuity relationship with patients. I also developed and implemented a curriculum to teach students to care for patients with disabilities. In addition, medical students participating in their family medicine clerkship and clinical skills course accompany me as I see patients, in order to deepen their understanding of patient care.

I also supervise residents at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Teaching students and residents keeps me sharp: it informs my practice of medicine, while my practice of medicine assures that I remain relevant as a teacher.

Cancer Screening, Family Medicine, Health Services Research, Health Services Research, Medical Education Research, Primary Care, Program Evaluation, Workforce Development

Children, Adolescents, Adults, Seniors/Elderly

Fluent Hebrew

Physician Gender:

Male