Herbert E. Joyce, MD ’45

Herbert E. Joyce, MD ’45, was a founding father of family medicine in Buffalo and a leading figure in the establishment of family medicine as a specialty.

Following graduation from medical school Joyce served in the United States military, retiring in 1960 as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force.

In 1951, Joyce founded the Highgate Medical Group, P.C., one of the largest family medical groups in New York State. In the ensuing years, he was instrumental in the early movement to promote family practice as a specialty. He and other family practitioners in Buffalo deserve much credit for the creation of the second oldest family practice residency in the United States, the Deaconess Family Practice Residency. They also are credited with establishing a Department of Family Medicine at UB, among the first of 15 university departments in the United States.

Joyce was interim chair of the UB Department of Family Medicine from 1982-1983, president of the local American Academy of General Practice from 1959-1960, and president of the New York State Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) from 1974-1975.

In later years, he served as president of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians, and the Medical Society of the County of Erie.

Joyce is a community leader who continues to volunteer in social, medical, educational and political organizations within and outside of UB Medical School.

He has received numerous awards over the years, including the President’s Award in 1987 from the American Academy of Family Physicians; the Max Cheplove Medal in 1993, the highest honor awarded by the Erie County Chapter of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians; and the Dean’s Award for service to UB Medical School.

He also has served as a medical director for Independent Health and chair of the Erie County Medical Society Malpractice Committee. He has been a member of the State Malpractice and Defense Board, Governor Rockefeller’s Advisory commission on alcoholism, and the Board of Professional Medical Conduct, NYS Department of Health.

Joyce continues to serve the medical school as a member of the Dean’s Council, the Family Medicine Endowment Advisory Board and the Medical Emeritus Faculty Society.