Sunil Baldwa MD

Sunil Baldwa

Sunil Baldwa
MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Internal Medicine

Contact Information
Buffalo VA Medical Center
3495 Bailey Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone: 716-862-8641
baldwa@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

As director of the Division of Cardiology at the Buffalo VA Medical Center (Buffalo VAMC), I oversee cardiac care, education and research. My division is one of the most efficient across similar VA facilities: it provides the full spectrum of cardiovascular diagnostic and therapeutic services while maintaining outcomes that meet or exceed all nationally mandated standards. I see outpatients in my own clinic, and I see inpatients as well, including those admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). My practice focuses on coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation and valvular abnormalities. I approach my patients by practicing both the art and science of medicine and spend ample time getting to know my patients and the social structures that surround them. I believe that the care of a patient is much more effective when the patient is treated as a person rather than a diagnosis. I truly enjoy my clinical sessions at the Buffalo VAMC where I meet new and returning veterans who share their stories with me. It is a privilege to care for each of these amazing individuals.

The abundance of complex cases at the Buffalo VAMC, along with extensive longitudinal electronic health data, allows us to conduct clinical research to improve patient care. We physician-scientists at the Buffalo VAMC are increasing our focus on clinical research to complement the bench research performed at UB. My current research is studying the role of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in heart disease. While longitudinal studies indicate a role of PTSD on CAD prevalence and outcomes, its causative mechanism has been debated. My colleagues and I are looking at mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI) and how this differs in patients with PTSD.

I am passionate about teaching and feel a strong responsibility to mentor the next generation of physicians. I trained as a Royal College of Physicians educator in order to become a better medical educator. To me, mentorship involves more than just teaching the facts of medicine. I emphasize interpersonal and communication skills with the fellows I train, in addition to traditional bedside teaching, because these patient-centered abilities are essential to being a good physician. I also help trainees navigate increasingly complex hospital and health care environments. The knowledge I share with them about the systems that are part of modern health care is also key to providing the best care to patients.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Non Invasive/Nuclear Cardiology, University at Buffalo (2004)
  • Fellowship, Cardiovascular Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (2003)
  • Internship, Internal Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (2000)
  • Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Rajasthan (1997)
  • Internship, General Surgery, University of Rajasthan (1996)
  • SMS Medical College, University of Rajasthan (1995)

Employment:

  • Director, Clinical Cardiology Services, VA Hospital (2009-present)
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
  • Cardiologist and Director, VA Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY (2004–2009)

Research Expertise:

  • Cardiovascular risk and post-traumatic stress disorder

Journal Articles:

  • Fallavollita JA, Dare, JD, Carter, RL, Baldwa S, Canty J. (2017) Denervated myocardium preferentially predicts sudden cardiac arrest in ischemic cardiomyopathy: A competing risk analysis of cause-specific mortality. Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging (Aug), 10(8).
  • Fallavollita JA, JD Dare, RL Carter, S Baldwa and JM Canty Jr. (2017) Denervated myocardium is preferentially associated with sudden cardiac arrest in ischemic cardiomyopathy. A pilot competing risks analysis of cause-specific mortality. Circ Cardiovascular Imaging (Jan), 10: e0064.
  • Fallavollita JA, BM Heavey, AJ Luisi, Jr., SM Michalek, SB Baldwa, TL Mashtare Jr., AD Hutson, RA deKemp, MS Haka, M Sajjad, TR Cimato, AB Curtis, ME Cain, and JM Canty Jr. (2014) Regional Myocardial Sympathetic Denervation Predicts the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy. Journal of the American College of Cardiology (Jan)141-149.
  • Cary MG, AJ Luisi Jr,, S Baldwa, MJ Veneziano, S Al-Zaiti, RA deKemp, JM Canty Jr and JA Fallavollita. (2010) The Selvester QRS Score is More Accurate than Q Waves and Fragmented QRS Complexes using the Mason-Likar Configuration in Estimating infarct Volume in Patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy. J Electrocardiology (Jan), 43: 318-325.
  • Banas MD, Baldwa S, Suzuki G, Canty JM Jr, Fallavollita JA. (2007) Determinants of contractile reserve in viable, chronically dysfunctional myocardium. American Journal of Physiology Heart Circulatory Physiology. (Jan), 292(6): 2791-2797.
  • Carey MG, Luisi AJ, Baldwa S, Thomas JM, Canty JM, Fallavollita, JA. (2007) The presence of Q Waves, QRS Fragmerntation or QRS Duration does not correlate with scar volume in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy circulation. Circulation (Jan), 116.

Abstracts:

  • Fallavollita J, BM Heavey, S Baldwa, TL Mashtare Jr, AD Hutsob, M Sajjad, RA deKemp, AB Curtis, ME Cain and JM Canty Jr. (2012) Volume of denervated myocardium is a novel predictor of VT/VF: Prediction of arrhythmic events with positron emission tomography (PAREPET) study. Heart Rhythm Journal, (Jan)

Professional Memberships:

  • American College of Cardiology
  • American Society of Echocardiography
  • American Society of Nuclear Cardiology

School News:

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Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

Buffalo VA Medical Center
3495 Bailey Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone: 716-862-8641
baldwa@buffalo.edu