Steven J. Ambrusko MD, MS
Steven J. Ambrusko
MD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Hemostasis / Thrombosis; Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Pediatrics; Vascular Malformations
Contact Information
Patient Care
Patient Care
This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.
View this physician on UBMDProfessional Summary:
My name is Dr. Steven Ambrusko and I’m a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with a clinical focus on sickle cell disease at the Childhood Cancer & Blood Disorders program of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Oishei Children’s Hospital. As Director of the Sickle Cell & Hemoglobinopathy Center of Western New York, I oversee the care of infants, children, and adolescents with sickle cell disease, thalassemias, and other hemoglobin disorders. Additionally, I also see pediatric patients with other non-cancerous blood conditions including anemias and other red blood cell disorders, immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and other platelet disorders, thrombosis/thrombophilia, and various bleeding disorders.
Our facility offers a full range of services to our patients, including diagnostic testing, ongoing disease management, hydroxyurea treatment, chronic transfusion therapy, and referrals to bone marrow transplants when needed. In collaboration with Oishei Children’s Hospital, we are a designated Newborn Screening Hemoglobinopathy Specialty Referral Center for New York State. We are the only facility in Western New York that performs outpatient erythrocytapheresis – a special type of chronic transfusion therapy – for those with sickle cell disease.
I am also Medical Director of the Vascular Anomalies Center of Oishei Children’s Hospital, where we provide consultation and care to children and adults with a range of vascular tumors and malformations. Our multidisciplinary team includes a pediatric surgeon, a pediatric dermatologist, pediatric interventional radiologist, nurse coordinator, and other specialties working together to provide expert care for children with vascular tumors like hemangiomas and vascular malformations of veins, lymphatics, arteries and capillaries.
I began my education at the University of Rochester, where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology (with focus on Neuroscience). I received my medical degree with honors from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, New York. I completed my residency training and chief residency in Pediatrics through University at Buffalo at the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Then, I pursued a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I also received a Master of Science in Clinical Research from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Along with my roles at the Sickle Cell & Hemoglobinopathy Center and the Vascular Anomalies Center, I am also an assistant professor in Pediatrics at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedicine Science at the University of Buffalo. I have been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor of Western New York five years consecutively, most recently in 2022.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (2007)
- MS, Clinical Research - Clinical Trials Research Track, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2007)
- Residency, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Graduate Medical-Dental Education Consortium (2004)
- Residency, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Graduate Medical-Dental Education Consortium (2003)
- Internship, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Graduate Medical-Dental Education Consortium (2001)
- MD, Medicine, University at Buffalo (2000)
- BS, Major: Neuroscience (Biomedical Sciences); Minor: Psychology, University of Rochester, Cum Laude (1996)
Employment:
- Medical Director, Vascular Anomalies Center - Oishei Children's Hospital (2023-present)
- Assistant Professor, Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2007-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Oishei Children's Hospital (2007-present)
- Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2007-present)
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2007-present)
- Director, Sickle Cell & Hemoglobinopathy Center of Western New York (2007-present)
- Pediatric Staff Physician, Western New York BloodCare (2007-present)
- Medical Director, Hematology/Oncology, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2008–2016)
- Interim Pediatric Medical Director, Hemophilia Center of Western New York (2012–2014)
- Co-Medical Director, Therapeutic Apheresis Services, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2009–2012)
- Per Diem Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2007–2008)
- Per Diem Attending Physician, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh (2005–2007)
- In-House Physician, Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (2004)
Awards and Honors:
- Men of Integrity: Excellence in Medicine Specialists Award (2023)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2023)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2022)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2021)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2020)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2019)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2017)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2016)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2015)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2014)
- Top Doctors in Western New York (2013)
- New England Research Insititute/NIH: Grant for Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Research Network (2009)
- Kaleida Health: Golden Stethoscope Award (2002)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Resident Teaching Award (2001)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Gordon S. Ehrlich Award (2000)
- University of Rochester: Student Employee of the Year Nominee (1995-1996)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Generalist Honors Program (1999-2000)
- University of Rochester: Wilmot and Jean Craig Scholarship (1993-1996)
- University of Rochester: Dean‘s List (1993-1996)
Journal Articles:
- Prasath A, Grafius A, Bonanno M, Ambrusko S, Nair J. (2022) Alloimmune Neutropenia in a Neonate: Case Report and Review of Literature. Antibodies (Basel, Switzerland) (Oct), 11(4). doi:10.3390/antib11040063
- Andolina JR, Fries C, Boulware R, Vargas A, Fraint E, Barth M, Ambrusko S, Comito M, Monteleone P. (2022) Successful Bone Marrow Transplantation With Intensive Post-transplant Intrathecal Chemotherapy for CNS Relapsed AML in 2 Infants. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology (Jan), 44(1): e264-e267.
- Martone GM, Nanjireddy P, Craig RA, Prout AJ, Higman MA, Kelly KM, Ambrusko SJ. (2021) Acute hepatic encephalopathy and multiorgan failure in sickle cell disease and COVID-19. Pediatr Blood Cancer (Jan).
- Hennon TR, Penque MD, Abdul Aziz R, Alibrahim OS, McGreevy MB, Prout AJ, Schaefer BA, Ambrusko SJ, Pastore JV, Turkovich SJ, Gómez OG, Hicar MD. (2020) COVID-19 associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) guidelines; a Western New York approach. Prog Pediatr Cardiol (May), 57.
- Ambrusko SJ. (2020) Pulmonary hypertension in children with hemolytic disorders. Prog Pediatr Cardiol (Mar), 56.
- Jain S, Gupta S, Ambrusko SJ, Shapiro A. (2017) Successful management of refractory haematuria with recombinant porcine factor VIII replacement for paediatric congenital haemophilia A with high-titre inhibitor. Haemophilia (Jul), 23(4): e358-e361.
- Peters-Lawrence MH, Bell MC, Hsu LL, Osunkwo I, Seaman P, Blackwood M, Guillaume E, Bellevue R, Krishnamurti L, Smith WR, Dampier CD, Minniti CP, Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Research Network. (2012) Clinical trial implementation and recruitment: lessons learned from the early closure of a randomized clinical trial. Contemp Clin Trials (Mar), 33(2): 291-297.
- Ambrusko SJ, Gunawardena S, Sakara A, Windsor B, Lanford L, Michelson P, Krishnamurti L. (2006) Elevation of tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity, a marker for pulmonary hypertension in children with sickle cell disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer (Dec), 47(7): 907-913.
Abstracts:
- Ambrusko SJ, Gunawardena S, Sakara A, Windsor B, Lanford L, Michelson P, Krishamurti L. (2005) Pulmonary Hypertension in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Clinical Characteristics and Co-Morbidities. Blood, (Nov) 26b-27b
Professional Memberships:
- American Society of Hematology
- American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Children's Oncology Group
- Hemophilia and Thrombosis Research Society
- National Hemophilia Foundation
- Buffalo Pediatric Society
Presentations:
- "Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children with COVID-19" Inaugural City-Wide Conference; University at Buffalo (2020)
- "Post-COVID-19 Hyperinflammatory Multiorgan Failure Syndrome in a Patient with Sickle Cell Disease" Inaugural City-Wide Conference; University at Buffalo (2020)
- "Anemia in Childhood – Iron Deficiency and Beyond" Rounds; Jericho Road Community Health Center (2019)
- "Anemia: Iron Deficiency and Beyond" Bi-Monthly Meeting; Buffalo Pediatric Society (2018)
- "Bleeding Disorders for the ENT Surgeon" Otolaryngology Grand Rounds; Sisters of Charity Hospital (2017)
- "Surgeons Out of a Job: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Vascular Anomalies and Lymphatic Malformations" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2016)
- "Thrombophilia" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2014)
- "Bleeding Disorders 101" Pediatric Grand Rounds; Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (2014)
- "Central Venous Line-Related Deep Vein Thrombosis in Pediatric Patients" Pediatric QA/QI Grand Rounds; Women & Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2009)
- "Iron Metabolism: Anemia, Overload, and Beyond" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2008)
- "Sickle Cell Disease" Pediatric Grand Rounds; Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (2008)
- "Vasculopathy in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2008)
- "Children with Sickle Cell Disease and Cerebrovascular Disease are More Likely to Have Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension" 35th Anniversary Convention of the National Sickle Cell Disease Program; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute/National Institutes of Health/Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (2007)
- "Low Six-Minute Walk Distance in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Suggests Decreased Exercise Tolerance Related to Hemolytic Manifestations of Disease" Annual Meeting; American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (2007)
- "Exercise Tolerance and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Children with Sickle Cell Disease" Sickle Cell Symposium; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (2007)
- "Low Six-Minute Walk Distance in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Suggests Decreased Exercise Tolerance Related to Hemolytic Manifestations of Disease" Clinican and Translational Science Day; University of Pittsbugh Institute for Clinical Research Education (2007)
- "Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Children with Sickle Cell Vasculopathy" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2007)
- "Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Occurs in Children with Sickle Cell Disease and is Potentially Reversible" 29th Annual Meeting of the National Sickle Cell Disease Program; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (2006)
- "Exercise Tolerance and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Children with Sickle Cell Disease" Sickle Cell Symposium; Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh (2006)
- "Pulmonary Hypertension in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Clinical Characteristics and Co-Morbidities" 47th Annual Meeting and Exposition; American Society of Hematology (2005)
- "Use of the PFA-100 Test as a Screen for von Willebrand Disease in Children" Senior Resident Research Presentation Day; University at Buffalo (2003)
- "Adverse Effects of Reduced-Dose Craniospinal Radiation Therapy with Chemotherapy in Low-Stage Medulloblastoma Patients" Annual Meeting; Children‘s Oncology Group (2002)
- "Effect of a Brief Office Intervention on the Process of Smoking Cessation in Parents" Generalist Honors Program; University at Buffalo (2000)
Service Activities:
- Roswell Park Oishei Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program: Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance program; Director (2023–present)
- Community Engagement and Diversity; Committee Leader (2022–present)
- Sickle Cell Disease Awareness at Juneteenth in the Park at Roswell Park; Presenter (2021)
- Queen City Sickle Cell Support Group; Participant (2019–2021)
- Pediatric Blood and Cancer Journal: Nucleated Red Blood Cells in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Hospitalized for Pain; Peer Reviewer (2018)
- Roswell Park Oishei Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program: Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance program; Assistant Director (2016–2022)
- Pediatric Faculty Teaching Interest Group; Committee Member (2013–2017)
- Kaleida Health - Credentialing Committee; Committee Member (2011–present)
- Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of Buffalo; Co-Founder (2010–2017)
- Kaleida Health - Medical Executive Committee; Committee Member (2010–2014)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Hematology/Oncology Center of Excellence Committee; Committee Member (2008–2016)
- University at Buffalo: Children and Youth Institutional Review Board; Board Member (2008–2014)