Categories
Providers

Best Doctors in Buffalo

Buffalo is the second largest city in New York, with a population of 256,304, and is the county seat or Eerie County. Buffalo is situated just 16 miles away from Niagara Falls, and borders Canada. Significant international commerce and travel across the US/Canada border passes through the city of Buffalo. The city’s robust economy, once built around manufacturing, is now centered around government, higher education, and healthcare. In fact, Kaleida Health and Catholic Health are two of the top five largest employers in the city of Buffalo, employing 10,000 and 6,628 people respectively.

Some of the most notable healthcare facts about the area include:

  • 94.9% of the population of Buffalo, NY has health coverage, with 36.6% on employee plans, 41.5% on Medicaid
  • Primary care physicians in Buffalo see an average of 1202 patients per year, which represents a 0.25% increase from the previous year (when they averaged 1199 patients).
  • Mental health providers located in Buffalo see an average of 393 patients per year and dentists see 1,240.
  • 3.78% of workers in Buffalo work in health diagnosis and treatment, 1.74% work jobs as healthcare technicians, and 6.76% are employed in healthcare support roles.
  • The overall cost of living in Buffalo is .9% lower than the national average, but the cost of healthcare in Buffalo is significantly below the national average- a full 25.5% less.
  • The median household income is $37,359 in Buffalo, and healthcare represents a significant expense. The average healthcare spending per person is $9,778 (including charges picked up by insurance).

This overview of Health Care Professionals in Buffalo will explore some of the most prominent healthcare providers and institutions in the area.

Skip to any of the following topics:

Jump To:

Hospitals in Buffalo

The city of Buffalo has two private healthcare systems, operate a combined total of eight hospitals, as well as a great many clinics. The state and county also operate three public hospitals in Buffalo. There are a total of 13 hospitals in the city, including:

  • Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (located in South Buffalo)
  • Sisters of Charity Hospital (located in Central Buffalo)
  • Kaleida Health (network with multiple locations)
  • Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute (located in Downtown Buffalo)
  • Oishei Children’s Hospital (located in Downtown Buffalo)
  • The Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) (located in Eastern Buffalo)
  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (located in Downtown Buffalo)
  • The Buffalo State Hospital (a mental and behavioral facility in Northern Buffalo operated by the state)
  • Kenmore Mercy Hospital (located in the suburb of Kenmore, NY)
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital (located in the suburb of Cheektowaga, NY)

Many of these hospitals have noteworthy distinctions that make them stand out and attract patients from outside Buffalo itself. One of the city’s newest hospitals, Oishei Children’s Hospital, opened in 2017, and is one of the only children’s hospitals in the state of New York. Buffalo General Medical Center has earned top national rankings for its treatment and into the causes and treatment off stroke and neurological care. The Erie County Medical Center has also earned the distinction of Level One Trauma Center accreditation, and serves several regions outside of Buffalo and in Pennsylvania and Canada as well for both trauma and burn care. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is the world’s oldest institute devoted exclusively to cancer research, and is recognized as one of the nation’s top centers for cancer treatment and research, and attracts doctors from around the world.

Pediatricians in Buffalo

Children, just like adults, need a primary care physician. A pediatrician is a doctor trained to care for children from birth through adolescence. They handle the many check-ups and vaccinations that children require, monitor development, screen for health issues, and handle the common illnesses and injuries of childhood, from bumps on the head to runny noses. Pediatricians handle children with general medical problems (such as asthma or the flu) as well as medical issues particular to children (such as delayed puberty, teething problems, and scoliosis). Because children require more screenings, vaccinations, and checkups than adults (and get sick more frequently), it’s especially important to establish a longstanding relationship with a pediatrician.

In addition to general pediatrics, some doctors practice pediatric specialties. This means treating a particular part or system of the body in children. For instance, a pediatric cardiologist treats heart problems in children. Some other pediatric specialists include:

  • Pediatric Endocrinologists
  • Pediatric Dermatologists
  • Pediatric Oncologist
  • Pediatric Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialists
  • Pediatric Allergists
  • Pediatric Hematologists

There are 499 pediatricians located in Buffalo, New York, including those practicing as pediatric specialists. Some of these practitioners work in hospital settings or in solo practices, but many are part of a group practice, where doctors with similar treatment philosophies work as partners and share patient caseloads. One of the most popular pediatric groups in Buffalo is Buffalo Pediatric Associates, which has two locations in Buffalo and has earned a 3.6-star rating on Google. The practice has six providers, including three doctors and three nurse practitioners, one of whom is a certified lactation consultant. Three of their practitioners also have specific training in treating behavioral, psychiatric, and mental health issues in children and adolescents.

Delaware Pediatrics is another popular group practice, with a 3.7 star rating on Google based on 32 reviews. The group’s seven doctors and four nurses have more than 100 years of combined experience in pediatric and adolescent medical practice. The facility also offers breastfeeding support and provides on-site counseling through two social workers and an on-site pediatric psychiatrist.

Family Practice Doctors in Buffalo, New York

Family practice physicians are primary care doctors who work with patients of all ages, from babies to seniors. Family practice doctors conduct routine checkups, diagnose and treat illnesses, deliver vaccines, and provide medical education to their patients. While general practitioners were once the most common type of primary care doctor, family practice physicians are now the norm. You don’t need to have a family in order to see a family practice doctor as your primary care physician, but if you do have a family, this option can allow your relatives young and old to all see the same physician.

There are no less than 538 family medicine practitioners located in Buffalo, an impressive number even for a large city. One of the most highly rated and popular of these is Dr. Mohammadreza Azadfard, whose office is located in Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo. In addition to working as a family medicine doctor, Dr. Mohammadreza Azadfard has a specialty in addiction medicine. Dr. Ellis E Gomez is also highly rated, and won the 2018 Bridges to Excellence: Physician Office Systems Recognition award. He is affiliated with Mercy Hospital Of Buffalo and has 29 years of medical experience.

Buffalo Medical Group is another popular option. This group physician practice dates back to 1946, and has a total of four main locations and eight satellite locations in the greater Buffalo area. In addition to family medicine doctors, Buffalo Medical Group has surgeons, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and nutritionists on staff, which makes seeing a referred specialist seamless.

Internal Medicine Doctors in Buffalo, New York

Internal Medicine Doctors (also known as “Internists”), are the other most common type of primary care physician. Doctors of internal medicine, unlike family care physicians, provide care exclusively for adults. Internists offer annual checkups, routine care, medical education, screenings, and vaccinations.

If you have health concerns or conditions that may require more than routine care, a doctor of internal medicine is a good choice for your primary care physician. This is because internists are trained in diagnosing and managing conditions like diabetes, arthritis, menopause, glaucoma, and others that affect adults. Having a knowledgable primary care physician to make referrals and serve as the hub of your treatment team can improve your health outcomes.

There are 1,271 internal medicine doctors based in Buffalo. Erie County Medical Center, part of the University at Buffalo Medical Center, is one popular practice where patients see internal medicine doctors. The facility is centrally located, and, as part of a teaching hospital, has many medical residents on staff. UBMD Internal Medicine & Pediatrics is another well-established clinic, and is also affiliated with the University at Buffalo’s Department of Medicine. Their team has no less than 135 physicians, and serves patients throughout Western New York.

Among Buffalo’s solo practitioners, Dr. Nicholas S Peters Jr. is one of several highly-rated internists. Dr. Nicholas S Peters Jr has additional specialties in Emergency Medicine and Geriatric Medicine, and sees patients in a total of five locations, such as the Regional Center For Wound Care and the Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Jyotsna Rajeswary has also earned high ratings from patients, and has a full 22 years’ experience as an internist. She is praised by patients for her bedside manner as well as her medical expertise.

Specialist Doctors in Buffalo, New York

Some medical issues are too serious or too complex to be spotted, diagnosed, and treated by a primary care physician. Others require special equipment and facilities. When a medical need falls outside the scope of basic routine care, you’ll need to see a specialist. A specialist doctor has standard medical training plus training in treating a specific part or system of the body or a specific medical condition. Some of the most well-known types of specialist doctor are:

  • Gerontologists (who treat seniors)
  • Dermatologists (who treat the skin)
  • Proctologists (who deal with prostate health)
  • Hematologists (who treat blood issues)
  • Allergists (who deal with allergies)

Buffalo’s high number of well-resourced hospitals means that this city has a large number of specialist doctors. Some of the most prominent of these are the oncologists in the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Many of the Center’s 300 doctors focus exclusively on cancer research, but many more provide hands-on care, treating all forms of adult and pediatric cancer. As one of the country’s best cancer centers, Roswell Park employs some of the most expert oncologists in the nation.

The Sisters of Charity Hospital, in addition to being a general medical and surgical hospital, also specializes in women’s health services. The hospital has a large number of specialists who treat women’s health issues on staff, including obstetricians (who specialize in fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth) and gynecologists (who specialize in women’s reproductive and sexual wellness).

Buffalo General Medical Center and the adjacent Gates Vascular Institute are notable for their specialists who treat strokes and the physiological and neurological recovery process. In fact, the Gates Stroke Center is one of the nation’s largest stroke programs. The Center and Institute have a number of prominent cardiologists, neurologists, and vascular surgeons on staff.

The Most Popular Doctors in Buffalo, New York

UB Family Medicine is a popular choice for primary care in Buffalo. This well-established medical group originated as a small academic practice back 1969, and is now a multi-site physician group that sees a collective 100,000 visits annually. The doctors of UB Family Medicine see patients across the life span, from infants through seniors, and have admitting privileges at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Buffalo Medical Group is another popular source of medical care, and is notable for its use of technology to improve health outcomes and patient convenience. Buffalo Medical Group was the first medical practice in Western New York to adopt the popular electronic platform, Epic, to manage our patient medical records. There are no less than 35 medical and surgical departments at Buffalo Medical Group, covering everything from primary care and sports medicine to neurology and podiatry. Buffalo Medical Group also operates 16 branches of clinical support services, such as radiation therapy and cardiac imaging.

Pinnacle Orthopedic and Spine Specialists has earned an impressive average of 4 stars in Google reviews, based on feedback from 20 patients. The center offers specialized services in hand treatment, spinal surgery, knee and hip surgery, shoulder surgery, and physical or occupational therapy. Pinnacle Orthopedic and Spine Specialists offers the services of four physicians who provide medical care and surgery, and three therapists providing physical and occupational therapy.

Telemedicine in Buffalo, New York

When you’re feeling ill, the last thing you want to do is schedule an appointment with a doctor, drive to a medical center, check in at their office, wait in their waiting room before being seen. While house calls are a thing of the past, your doctor can save you a lot of time and trouble by seeing you in your own home (virtually) through telemedicine.

By asking targeted questions, 70% of primary care medical issues can be diagnosed and treated fully online. In a telemedicine conference, you’ll video chat with a doctor or nurse practitioner via computer or an app on a mobile device. Routine medical concerns like sinus infections, allergies, colds, and flus can easily be resolved via telemedicine. Many insurance companies provide telemedicine services, which are cheaper for physicians and insurance carriers since there’s no overhead for facilities required. Many telemedicine services are available 24/7, so you can see a doctor from the comfort of home whenever a medical need pops up.

Some telemedicine providers have nationwide coverage, while others operate within only one or several states. Telemedicine providers operating statewide in New York include:

While many of the providers listed above are traditional medical care companies with telemedicine branches, Sherpaa is notable for its exclusive focus on telemedicine. This newer company offers fast and seamless connections with doctors. Sherpaa has a network of hundreds of physicians, each of whom is a full-time telemedicine provider for the company, and therefore an expert in remote consultations. Each has over ten years of professional experience practicing after finishing residency. Sherpaa’s telemedicine doctors order medical tests, prescribe medications, and make referrals to local specialists as needed. Unlike with most telemedicine services, Sherpaa subscribers can keep their same doctor for all visits, and keep their primary physician even if they change insurers.

Ascension Online Care is also offered in New York for telemedicine appointments. Ascension has experienced doctors on call 24/7. Their physicians provide medical consultation, diagnosis, and can write or refill prescriptions when appropriate. While Sherpaa aims to replace primary care (as well as other medical needs) with telemedicine, Ascension Online Care aims to fill the needs that would otherwise bring users to an urgent care clinic. The cost of a virtual visit through Ascension Online Care comes to $49 and does not require insurance.