PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
JOHN J. BODKIN, II, M.D.
Highgate Medical Group
Dr. John J. Bodkin, II, is a board certified family physician since 1979 and is a Western New York
native. He graduated from Manhattan College in New York City in 1972 and from the University at
Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in 1976. He completed the University at Buffalo
Family Medicine Residency Program at Deaconess Hospital in 1979, where he was the chief resident
from 1978 through 1979, and is currently with Highgate Medical Group, a family medicine practice.
Dr. Bodkin is a current member of the University at Buffalo Dean’s Advisory Council, a member of
the Buffalo Physician Editorial Board, and an emeritus member of the Board of Directors of the
University at Buffalo Medical Alumni Association. In the past, he has been the chairman of the
Lockport Hospital Department of Family Medicine and has taught in the Department of Physical
Therapy at Daemen College.
Dr. Bodkin’s professional affiliations include Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family
Medicine at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, American
Academy of Family Physicians, New York State Academy of Family Physicians, and the Erie County
Chapter of NYS Academy of Family Physicians.
RICHARD E. CHARLES, M.D., R.Ph.
Buffalo Medical Group, P.C.
Dr. Richard Charles, certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, serves on the board of
the Buffalo Medical Group where he maintains a strong practice since joining in 1999.
He is a summa cum laude graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Sciences, and earned his medical degree summa cum laude at the University at
Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Charles completed his specialty training in
internal medicine at the University at Buffalo and the university-affiliated hospitals.
Dr. Charles has been recognized numerous times for excellence from his time as a pharmacy school
scholar, through medical school and his residency, including the Robert H. Ritz Award for Excellence
in Biochemical Pharmacology and The Dexter S. Lvey, M.D. Award for Excellence in Bedside
Medicine.
A member of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Charles’s particular areas of interest include
general internal medicine, home care, pharmaceutical studies, and the development of physician
education materials.
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
AJAY CHAUDHURI, M.D.
Diabetes-Endocrinology Center of Western New York
Ajay Chaudhuri, M.D. graduated from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital at the University of
Calcutta, West Bengal, India, and was chief resident in Internal Medicine at Millard Fillmore
Suburban Hospital where he completed his internship and residency. Dr. Chaudhuri completed his
fellowship at the University at Buffalo.
A highly accomplished educator, lecturer, and clinical researcher, both domestically and
internationally, Dr. Chaudhuri is a leading expert and board certified physician in diabetes,
metabolism and endocrinology. He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians in the United
Kingdom, belongs to numerous organizations, has been the recipient of many honors and
distinctions, and has also written and published over 75 peer reviewed articles.
Currently, Dr. Chaudhuri is the program director for the University at Buffalo Endocrinology
Fellowship Program, a clinical associate professor of Medicine at the University at Buffalo, and a
director at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center of Western New York.
Formerly, Dr. Chaudhuri was: the deputy editor for Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders; a
member of Human Sciences Institutional Review Board at the University at Buffalo; associate
director at the Diabetes-Endocrinology Center of Western New York; and an assistant professor at
the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
EVAN EVANS, M.D.
Delaware Surgical Group, P.C.
Evan Evans, M.D. graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical University, completed his
internship and residency at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, and completed his fellowship at
Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. Dr. Evans also completed his master’s of medical
management at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Evans is a board certified surgeon. He is member of numerous affiliations, such as: the American
Medical Association; American College of Surgeons, Fellow; Medical Society of New York, Medical
Society of the County of Erie; American College of Surgeons, WNY Chapter; American College of
Physician Executives, Life Member; Medical Advisory Board, American Board Company; Buffalo
Surgical Society; SAGES; and the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
Currently, Dr. Evans is a practicing partner at Delaware Surgical Group, PC, the director of surgery at
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, and is on the Board of Directors of Kaleida Health. In the past,
he was an Erie County medical examiner and a clinical assistant professor at University at Buffalo
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Additional positions include: Kaleida Health Medical
Dental Staff; member of Kaleida Health’s Medical Executive Committees; and member of Millard
Fillmore Suburban Hospital’s Medical Executive Committees.
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
ROBERT P. GATEWOOD, JR. M.D., FACC Cardiovascular Diseases
Buffalo Cardiology and Pulmonary Associates
Robert Gatewood, MD, graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed
his internship and residency at Erie County Medical Center and Buffalo General Hospital. Dr.
Gatewood completed his fellowship at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, and is board certified in Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine.
Dr. Gatewood joined Buffalo Cardiology & Pulmonary Associates in 1980. He has published
numerous articles, authored over 50 presentations, co‐authored two books, and has received
awards from a variety of organizations. Dr. Gatewood is a clinical associate professor at the
University at Buffalo and is the president of Buffalo Cardiology & Pulmonary Associates. Previous
appointments include: clinical instructor in medicine at the University at Buffalo; Chairman,
Cardiovascular Committee, Kaleida Health; and adjunct faculty in the Physician Assistant program,
D'Youville College.
Dr. Gatewood’s professional memberships include: the American Heart Association – Western
Chapter; American College of Physicians; Cardiovascular Society of Buffalo and Western New York,
past President; American Medical Association; American Society of Internal Medicine; and the
American College of Physician Executives.
KEVIN GIBBONS, M.D.
University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, Inc.
Dr. Gibbons joined University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, Inc., in July 1993 after graduating from the
University at Buffalo Neurosurgery Residency Program. An accomplished surgical educator and
clinical researcher, Dr. Gibbons is considered an expert lecturer in neurosurgical education and
patient management for residents and surgeons at the national level. Areas of authority include the
surgical treatment of brain, spinal and pituitary tumors, complex cervical spine disorders, critical
care, and adult hydrocephalus.
Dr. Gibbons is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and underwent
fellowship training in critical care. He directs the department's neurological critical care service as
well as the skull base clinical service and skull base laboratory. He is the residency program director
and a member of numerous professional societies, including the prestigious Society of Neurological
Surgeons. Currently, Dr. Gibbons is the vice‐chair & program director and an associate professor of
Neurosurgery at University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, and the director of Neurocritical Care at Millard
Fillmore Gates Hospital, Kaleida Health. Dr. Gibbons also serves as president of the Faculty Council
of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and as executive officer of
the medical staff of Kaleida Health.
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
EVELYN HURVITZ, M.D., FAAP
Tonawanda Pediatrics
Dr. Hurvitz, an American Academy of Pediatrics Fellow, is a senior partner at Tonawanda Pediatrics
and has been with the practice since 1987. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University
and went on to earn her medical degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Hurvitz completed her pediatric residency at Women and Children’s
Hospital of Buffalo.
She is published in the Journal of Pediatrics, Journal of Infectious Diseases, and the American
Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Hurvitz has received honors as a member of the James A. Gibson
Anatomical Society and served as an active student representative at the University at Buffalo
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
She currently serves as assistant clinical professor of Pediatrics at the University at Buffalo School of
Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and is a member of the Buffalo Pediatric Society. Dr. Hurvitz also
serves on the HealthNow Quality Improvement Committee.
MUHAMMED JAVED, M.D.
Olean General Hospital
Dr. Javed received his doctor of medicine from the Ross University School of Medicine. He
completed his Internal Medicine and Nephrology fellowship at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
University Hospital of Brooklyn at Long Island College Hospital. In 1995, Dr. Javed moved to the
Allegheny region and established a nephrology practice in Bradford. Due to the extraordinary need
for chronic kidney care in the area, he expanded his practice to Olean and helped establish the
Marie Lorenz Dialysis Unit at Olean General Hospital (OGH).
Dr. Javed currently serves as both OGH’s Chief of Medicine and Medical Director for OGH’s Dialysis
Unit. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Upper Allegheny Health System and is actively
involved with several medical research projects. He has presented at the Annual Meeting of the
American Society of Artificial Internal Organs, and the Annual Conference on Peritoneal Dialysis.
In addition to his clinical work, he is an active participant in area medical education programs. He is
currently an assistant clinical professor and mentors students in the Family Practice Medicine
program at the University at Buffalo. He is also involved in St. Bonaventure University’s Pre-Medical
Program, providing guidance to students seeking a career in medicine.
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
FRANK MEZZADRI, M.D.
Quaker Medical Associates
Dr. Mezzadri began his education at St. John’s University where he earned a bachelor of science in
pharmacy and master of science in hospital pharmacy. He was employed at the Cornell University
Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City as a Patient Unit Pharmacist. He graduated from and
completed his internal medicine/pediatric residency at University at Buffalo School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Mezzadri was employed by the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
in the Departments of Internal Medicine (specializing in medical complications in pregnancy) and
Pediatric Emergency Medicine until founding Quaker Medical Associates in 1990. He is board
certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. He is a member of the
American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics Fellow, and has published articles
in the Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Maternal Medicine and child abuse.
Fellowships include: the America Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons;
and American College of Sports Medicine.
MARGARET PAROSKI, M.D.
Kaleida Health
Margaret Paroski, M.D., MMM, a board certified adult neurologist and professor in neurology,
joined Kaleida Health as executive vice president and chief medical officer in 2005.
Prior to joining Kaleida Health, Dr. Paroski served as the interim vice president for health affairs at
the University at Buffalo and interim dean of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences. She currently serves as a professor of neurology and clinical course
coordinator at the University at Buffalo and is a past president of the University at Buffalo Alumni
Association, as well as the University at Buffalo Medical Alumni Association.
Dr. Paroski was the 1988 recipient of the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical
Science’s coveted Seigel Award for Excellence in Teaching. She was one of 10 women recognized as
Erie County Women Making History in conjunction with National Women’s History Month in 2004.
That same year, she was also named as one of the recipients for the Women Who Mean Business
Award sponsored by Business First. A Buffalo native, Dr. Paroski earned a bachelor’s degree in
biology and psychology from Canisius College.
She completed her residency training in neurology at the University at Buffalo’s affiliated teaching
hospitals. In 2000, she completed a master’s of medical management at Carnegie Mellon University
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
RAGHU RAM, M.D.
HealthNow New York Inc.
Dr. Raghu Ram is vice president and chief medical officer for HealthNow New York, Inc., parent
company of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York.
As Chief Medical Officer he has oversight of all medical directors, the medical management process,
medical policy development, and healthcare information technology. He also manages the
implementation of a new imitative, Patient‐Centered Medical Home, a program that was launched
in 2009 that shows tremendous promise in improving the health of at‐risk members and helping the
company better manage medical costs.
Dr. Ram is a board certified Family Physician and has also been in private practice in Kenmore, NY,
since 1996. He has played a key role in helping providers integrate technology to better serve
patients, including overseeing our company’s involvement in the Western New York Clinical
Information Exchange, a nonprofit organization also known as HealtheLink. He has also contributed
to several publications and national presentations on health care and technology.
Dr. Ram earned his bachelor of science in electrical engineering from the Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering at the University at Buffalo and his doctor of medicine from the
University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
TOM ROSENTHAL, M.D.
UB Family Medicine
Dr. Rosenthal graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences,
and performed his family practice residency at Deaconess Hospital in Buffalo, New York.
Dr. Rosenthal is a family physician who has been listed by Town and Country as one of the top 100
primary care physicians in the U.S. His research interests and areas of expertise include community
based education and rural health policy, and primary care practice based clinical research, with a
focus in family and geriatric medicine, and behavioral pharmacology.
Dr. Rosenthal is a founding director of the New York State Area Health Education Center of System,
chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences, director of Rural Health Programs at State University of New York at Buffalo,
and Director of the New York Rural Health Research Center. In addition, he is a professor at the
University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Department of Social and
Preventive Medicine.
Previously, Dr Rosenthal was founding director of the Primary Care Resource Center State University
at Buffalo; director of graduate education and residency program director at the University at
Buffalo; and medical director at the Department of Family Medicine for the University at Buffalo
and for Buffalo General Hospital. Dr Rosenthal has written numerous clinical review articles; and has
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
served as the Editor for the Journal of Rural Health. He has also received numerous awards, such as
the Distinguished Educator Award in 1992.
MARIO SANTILLI, M.D.
University Orthopedic Services, Inc.
Mario Santilli, M.D. graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical
Sciences, completed his internship and residency for general surgery at Millard Fillmore Suburban
Hospital and at the University at Buffalo for Orthopaedic Surgery, and was the chief resident at the
Department of Orthopaedics at the Erie County Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Santilli completed
his fellowships at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American College of
Surgeons, and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Dr. Santilli, specializing in lower extremity joint replacement and reconstruction, currently is the
assistant professor of Clinical Orthopaedics at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences, and is the director for the Sports Injury Clinic at Buffalo General Hospital.
Previously he was director of the Sports Injury Clinic at the Erie County Medical Center for the
University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Department of Orthopaedics, and
an NFL Assistant Team Physician for the Buffalo Bills.
Professional affiliations including: Erie County Medical Society; New York State Medical Society;
Western New York Orthopaedic Society; Western New York Trauma Society; Orthopaedic Society of
New York State; American Medical Association; and the Baccelli Medical Club .
THOMAS SCHENK, M.D.
Delaware Pediatric Associates
Dr. Schenk is a native of Buffalo. He attended Cornell University and graduated in 1993 with a
degree in microbiology and biochemistry. Dr. Schenk then returned to Buffalo to attend medical
school at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital of
Buffalo. Dr. Schenk joined Delaware Pediatric Associates in 2001 where he is now the managing
partner. Dr. Schenk is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Buffalo Pediatric
Society.
Physician Leadership Council Staff Contacts:
Don Boyd - [email protected]
716/859‐8829
Meri Notaro - [email protected]
716/887‐7015
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
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PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS
As of 10/15/2012
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