Stephen J. Turkovich MD
Stephen J. Turkovich
MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
General Pediatrics; Pediatric Hospitalist; Pediatrics; Quality Improvement
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:
I've worked clinically as a pediatric hospitalist including newborn nursery medicine since 2006 at Women & Children's of Hospital of Buffalo (WCHOB)/Oishei Children's Hospital (OCH). In 2008 I assumed the role of Quality & Patient Safety Officer for WCHOB with a focus on decreasing hospital acquired infections, improving patient experience, decreasing readmissions, improving sepsis outcomes, and improving breastfeeding rates. In 2009 I became a Team STEPPS Master Trainer and led the roll out at WCHOB with a focus on briefs, debriefs, and huddles. In 2014 I was named the VP, Chief Medical Officer of WCHOB now Oishei Children's Hospital and was part of the team that led the move to the new hospital in November 2017. In 2018 and 2019 OCH was named a Leapfrog Top Children's Hospital due to our highly ranked quality and patient safety outcomes. Also under my tenure as CMO, OCH has been accredited as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons and a Baby Friendly Hospital by Baby Friendly USA in recognition of our best practices to support breastfeeding. My core focus is in physician leadership and I currently serve as a mentor in the Jacob's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Leadership Track. In 2019 I completed the Harvard Business School Managing Healthcare Delivery course.
Community engagement and alignment is also a key focus. I currently serve as the Co-Chair of the Healthy Start, Healthy Future for All Coalition through the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County focused on early childhood growth and development. I also serve on the Board of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. I also work closely with the Best Self Child Advocacy Center of Erie County to treat and prevent child physical and sexual abuse. Aligning resources across the care continuum through collaboration with community-based healthcare providers and organizations is key to improving health outcomes and decreasing health disparities for the women and children in WNY.
Education and Training:
- Other, Meta-Leadership Course, University at Buffalo (2020)
- Certificate, Managing Healthcare Delivery, Harvard Business School (2019)
- Certificate, Medical Educators, Royal College of Physicians (2010)
- Certificate, Team STEPPS Master Trainer, Duke University (2009)
- Residency, Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center/Golisano Children‘s Hospital (2006)
- Internship, Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center/Golisano Children‘s Hospital (2004)
- MD, Medicine, University at Buffalo, Cum Laude (2003)
- BA, Anthropology, University at Buffalo, Summa Cum Laude (1999)
Employment:
- Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Maternal & Child Health, Oishei Children‘s Hospital (2014-present)
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2006-present)
- Pediatric Hospitalist, Oishei Children's Hospital (2006-present)
- Chief, Quality and Patient Safety, UBMD Pediatrics (2014–2017)
- Quality and Patient Safety Officer, Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2008–2014)
- Medical Director, Newborn Nursery, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo (2007–2014)
- Primary Care Extern, Springville Pediatrics (2000)
- Teaching Assistant, Gross Anatomy, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2000)
Awards and Honors:
- Buffalo Spree Magazine: Top Doctors in Western New York (2021)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Children's Champion Award (2015)
- Buffalo Business First: Healthcare 50 (2010)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Siegel Teaching Award for Clinical Faculty - Honorable Mention (2008)
- Golisano Children‘s Hospital at Strong: Meg Colgan Award (2006)
- Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong: The Budzie Award (2006)
- Kaleida Health: WOW Award (2006)
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2003)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Medical Alumni Award for Community Service and Commitment (2003)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: John Naughton Alpha Omega Alpha (2001)
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society (1999)
- State University of New York: Chancellor‘s Award for Student Excellence (1999)
- University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences: Dean‘s Medalist (1999)
- Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse: A Friend of Prevention Award (1999)
- University at Buffalo: Lucia Maria Houpt Award (1999)
- Golden Key National Honor Society (1997)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence (2001-2002)
Journal Articles:
- 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.
- Rawat M, Chandrasekharan PK, Turkovich SJ, Barclay N, Perry K, Schroeder E, Testa L, Lakshminrusimha S. (2016) Oral Dextrose Gel Reduces the Need for Intravenous Dextrose Therapy in Neonatal Hypoglycemia. Biomed Hub (Sep), 1(3).
- Lakshminrusimha S, Turkovich SJ, Manja V, Nair J, Kumar V. (2012) Critical congenital heart disease screening with pulse oximetry in the neonatal intensive care unit. e-JNR (Mar), 2(2): 96-101.
Professional Memberships:
- Society for Hospital Medicine (2010–present)
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Fellow (FAAP) (2006–present)
Presentations:
- "Pediatric COVID Vaccinations" Parent Network Virtual Lecture (2021)
- "History of Children's Hospital of Buffalo & Newborn Screening" Robert Guthrie Symposium on Newborn Screening and Metabolic Disorders (2021)
- "What's Next - Transitioning Children with Complex Needs to Adult Healthcare" Parent Network Virtual Lecture (2021)
- "Oral Dextrose Gel Reduces Need for Intravenous Fluids in Neonatal Hypoglycemia" Annual Meeting; Pediatric Academic Societies; Neonatal and Fetal Nutrition (2016)
- "Oral Dextrose Gel Reduces Need for Intravenous Fluids in Neonatal Hypoglycemia" Annual Conference; Eastern Society for Pediatric Research (2016)
- "The Leading with Care Initiative" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2015)
- "The Natural History of High Flow Nasal Cannula at Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo" Pediatric Hospital Medicine 2011; Society of Hospital Medicine (2011)
- "The Natural History of High Flow Nasal Cannula at Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo" Scholarly Exchange Day; University at Buffalo (2011)
- "Communication with Patients and Families" Pediatric Resident Lecture Series; Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2009)
- "Hyperbilirubinemia in the Newborn" Pediatric Resident Lecture Series; Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2009)
Service Activities:
- United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Board Member & Executive Committee Member; Board Member (2019–present)
- Jacob's School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Search Committee Member for Department Chair of OB/GYN; OB/GYN Chair Search Committee Member (2019)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Search Committee for Department Chair of Pediatrics; Committee Member (2018)
- Oishei Children's Hospital: Adult QA Committee; Committee Member (2014–2017)
- Kaleida Health: Medical Executive Committee; Committee Member (2014–present)
- United Way of Buffalo and Erie County: Advocacy Committee; Committee Member (2014–present)
- Frontline Impact; Advisory Board (2013–2014)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Family-Centered Rounding Redesign Committee; Committee Member (2013–2014)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Holistic Curriculum Review; Member (2013–2014)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Pediatric Sepsis Protocol Development Team Lead (2013)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Care of Complex Medical Patients Committee; Chair (2013)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Throughput Team; Co-Chair (2013)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Admissions Policy Ad Hoc Committee; Committee Member (2013)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Readmission Team; Member (2013)
- Kaleida Health: Physician Satisfaction Survey Development Team; Member (2013–present)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: CPM Core Lecture - ‘Introduction to the Newborn Exam‘; Teacher (2013–present)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Activation Team for Planning the New Children‘s Hospital; Member (2012–2017)
- Asthma Coalition of Erie County Physician Representative (2012–2015)
- Oishei Children's Hospital: Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee; Committee Member (2012–present)
- Kaleida Health: Physician Gainsharing Program Steering Committee; Committee Member (2011–2019)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Breastfeeding Quality Improvement Initiative; Chair (2011–2012)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Administrative Council; Member (2011–2012)
- United Way of Buffalo and Erie County: Healthy Start, Healthy Futures for All Coalition (P2 Collaborative of Western New York); Co-Chair (2011–present)
- Oishei Children‘s Hospital: Patient Management and Utilization Review Committee; Committee Member (2011–present)
- Kaleida Health: EMR Design Team; Member (2011–present)
- Oishei Children‘s Hospital: EMR Development/Design Teams; Member (2011–present)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Physician Strategic Steering Committee for Planning and Design of a New Children's Hospital; Committee Member (2010–2017)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Council Steering Committee; Committee Member (2010–2015)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Council; Member (2010–2015)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pediatric Resident Review Committee; Committee Member (2010–2014)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Schwartz Rounds Planning/Development Team; Member (2010–2014)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Fellowship Core Lecture - 'Quality and Patient Safety 101'; Teacher (2010–2014)
- Kohl's Cares for Kids: Media Campaign for Immunizations Spokesperson (2010–2013)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Council; Secretary (2010–2012)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Asthma Homecare Management Plan Creation and Implementation; Member (2010)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pediatric Resident Recruitment Committee; Committee Member (2010–present)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pediatrics Teaching Interest Group; Member (2010–present)
- Buffalo Physician; Editorial Board Member (2009–2011)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: Pediatric Advanced Warning System Implementation; Member (2009)
- Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo: TeamSTEPPS Training Sessions for the PICU; Teacher (2009)
- Oishei Children‘s Hospital: Quality Leadership Council; Chair (2008–2018)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Quality and Patient Safety Council; Chair (2008–2016)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Medical Staff Advisory Committee; Committee Member (2008–2015)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Throughput Team; Member (2008–2015)
- Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Lab QA/QI Team; Member (2008–2014)
- Kaleida Health: Quality and Patient Safety Committee; Committee Member (2008–present)
- Oishei Children‘s Hospital: Women‘s Service Quality Council; Member (2008–present)
- Oishei Children's Hospital: Root Cause Analysis Team; Member (2008–present)
- Oishei Children's Hospital: New Resident Orientation - 'Quality and Patient Safety'; Presentor (2008–present)
- Kaleida Health: Newborn Nursery Administrative Committee; Co-Chair (2007–2014)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Core Lecture - ‘Adolescent Communication and Confidentiality'; Teacher (2007–2011)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Newborn Nursery Rotation Educational Leader (2006–2014)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: POLITY Student Government Class Representative (2000–2001)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Admissions Committee Student Representative (2000–2001)
- Students Teaching AIDS to Students (STATS); President (2000–2001)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Big Sibs Program; Student Mentor (2000–2001)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: 1st Year Student Orientation; Co-Chair (2000)
- American Medical Student Association: National Conference Liaison and Member (1999–2003)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Curriculum Task Force; Member (1999–2003)
- Students Teaching AIDS to Students (STATS) Health Educator (1999–2001)
- University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Second Look Day; Co-Founder (1999–2000)
- Heart Smart; Teacher (1999–2000)
- Univera HealthCare: 2 Smart 2 Start Smoking Prevention Program Health Educator and Facilitator (1998–2003)
- University at Buffalo: Association of Premedical Students; President (1997–1998)
- Hospice of Buffalo: Life Transitions Center Small Group Facilitator; Volunteer (1996–2001)
- University at Buffalo: Association of Premedical Students; Member (1996–1998)