Alison M. Vargovich PhD

Alison Vargovich

Alison M. Vargovich
PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Behavioral Medicine

Contact Information
Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider St
DK Miller Bldg
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone: (716) 898-5671
Fax: (716) 898-3040
alisonva@buffalo.edu
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Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD

Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

Professional Summary:

As an assistant professor and licensed psychologist in the Department of Medicine, Division of Behavioral Medicine at the University at Buffalo, my work involves a combination of patient care, research, and outreach and education. I am a fellowship trained health psychologist specializing in chronic pain, my patient care focuses on utilizing psychosocial interventions to help patients better manage pain and improve their quality of life. Through this treatment, patients learn a variety of skills and tools to approach managing pain from a biopsychosocial perspective. While many of the skills and tools are similar across patients, each is applied in an individualized manner to help patients achieve their treatment goals.

Another facet of my work involves research to better understand the biobehavioral development and treatment of chronic pain. My research explores psychosocial factors associated with chronic pain and opioid risk, how to effectively educate medical students on chronic pain and physician-patient communication skills, and the efficacy of a community-based chronic pain self-management program. These topics allow me to generate a deeper understanding of chronic pain, while also improving patient care and guiding emerging providers in making pain management decisions for their patients.

Lastly, it is important to me to disseminate research through education and outreach. As such, I work within the community to assist healthcare professionals in better understanding and treating the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain and other conditions. Additionally, I am passionate about improving medical education on the biopsychosocial treatment of chronic pain, and have developed curriculum to address this need. I have presented at regional, national, and international conferences on the topics of chronic pain and overlapping opioid use/abuse, and will continue to work toward providing affordable and accessible evidence-based treatment for patients with chronic pain.

Education and Training:
  • Fellowship, Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program, Cleveland Clinic; Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (2015)
  • Internship, Medical/Health Psychology Division, University of Florida at Gainesville/Shands Hospital (2014)
  • PhD, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University (2014)
  • MS, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University (2011)
  • BA, Psychology, Canisius College, Summa Cum Laude (2009)
  • Medical/Health Psychology Division, University of Florida at Gainesville/Shands Hospital
  • BA, Psychology, Canisius College
  • Fellowship, Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program, Cleveland Clinic; Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program
  • MS, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University
  • PhD, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University

Employment:
  • Assistant Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018-present)
  • Director of Behavioral Science Education, Family Medicine, West Virginia University (2017–2018)
  • Clerkship Director, Family Medicine 3rd Year Clerkship, West Virginia University School of Medicine (2016–2018)
  • Clerkship Director, 3rd year Medical Students, Family Medicine, West Virginia University Medicine (2016–2018)
  • Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine (2015–2018)
  • Director of Psychology Training, Family Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine (2015–2018)
  • Associate Director of Behavioral Science Education, Family Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine (2015–2016)
  • Postdoctoral Pain Medicine Psychology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Center for Pain (2014–2015)
  • Pre-Doctoral Internship, Department of Clinical & Health Psychology, University of Florida (2013–2014)
  • Psychology Extern, Family Medicine, West Virginia University Medicine (2012–2013)
  • Psychology Extern, Blood & Marrow Transplant Unit, West Virginia University Hospital (2012–2013)
  • Graduate Assistant, Quin Curtis Center for Psychological Services, Department of Psychology: Anxiety & Mood Disorders Team and Anger Management Team, West Virginia University (2010–2013)
  • Graduate Student Therapist, Ruby Memorial Hospital, Physician Office Center (2011–2012)
  • Psychology Extern, PsiMed, Inc; West Virginia Industrial Home for Youth (2011–2012)
  • Research Clinician, Summit Educational Resources (2008)
See all (5 more)

Awards and Honors:
  • Teaching Scholars Faculty Development Program (2016)
  • Academic Affairs Student Travel Awards (3) (2010)
  • Department of Psychology Student Travel Awards (3) (2010)
  • Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Student Travel Awards (3) (2010)
  • Psychology Student Research Fund (2010)
  • Donald L. Tollefson Annual Psychology Award, (2009)
  • Outstanding Psychology Student Award (2009)
  • Higher Education Research Fund (HERF) Award for Outstanding Applicant (2009)
  • Canisius Earning Excellence Program (CEEP) Grant (2008)
  • Alpha Sigma Nu National Honor Society of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (2008)
  • Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology (2007)
  • Rothfuss Scholarship Merit Award (2006)
  • Mary R. Koessler Scholarship, Merit Award (2005)
  • Community Foundation Scholarship, Merit Award (2005)
  • Dean’s Academic Scholarship, Merit Award (2005)

Research Expertise:
  • Research Expertise: Health psychology; Chronic pain; Psychological processes involved in pain perception, development of chronic pain, and health outcomes; Dissemination of behavioral sciences research to healthcare professionals; Health communication and the doctor-patient relationship

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
  • Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan

Grants and Sponsored Research:
  • September 2021–July 2026
    A brief, transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral treatment for urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS): Process, predictions, outcomes
    NIH NIDDK
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $3,288,753
  • January 2020–January 2024
    University at Buffalo Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Program Scholars (UB BHWET Scholars): Expanding the Behavioral Health Workforce for High Need and High Demand Areas
    US DHHS/HRSA
    Role: Contributor
    $2,800,000
  • January 2020–January 2024
    University at Buffalo Opioid Workforce Expansion Program ScholarsScholars (UB OWEP Scholars): Expanding the Opioid Workforce for High Need and High Demand Areas.
    US DHHS/HRSA Grant
    Role: Contributor
    $1,350,000
  • May 2022–October 2022
    Mitigating Medical Misinformation and Mistrust through Effective Team Communication Developed Using Innovative Competency-based Interprofessional Instructional Design Strategies
    Association of American Medical Colleges
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $35,000
  • September 2017–January 2019
    A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Community-Based Chronic Pain Self-Management Program in West Virginia
    National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $600,000
  • December 2015–March 2017
    West Virginia Family Medicine Foundation Grant
    Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
    Role: Consultant
  • September 2015–September 2016
    Communication, Rural Track and Interprofessional Education Curricula
    US DHHS/HRSA Predoctoral Education Grant
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $187,262

Journal Articles:

See all (3 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Davin S, Rispinto S, & Vargovich AM. (2021) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Back Pain. In: Benzel’s Spine Surgery, 5th Ed. Elsevier, Inc.
  • McNeil, D. W., Vargovich, A. M., Sorrell, J. T., & Vowles, K. E. (2014) Environmental, emotional, and cognitive determinants of dental pain. In: Behavioral Dentistry. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • Vargovich AM, McNeil, D, Ries, B, Turk, C. (2012) Anxiety and fear. In: Encyclopedia of Human Behavior. Elsevier, Inc., 161-168.

Abstracts:

  • Kruger, J.S., Fusco N.M., Foltz-Ramos, K., Vargovich, A., Prescott, W. (2023) Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy: Utilizing an Interprofessional Simulation to Enhance Communication Skills. Association for Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Annual Conference. Arlington, Virginia (Jan)
  • Jennifer Abeles DO, Alison M. Vargovich PhD, Karen Zinnerstrom PhD, Daniel Sheehan PhD MD*, Jennifer Meka PhD. (2021) Not Every Request for Opioids is “Drug-Seeking”: Using Simulation to Raise Awareness of the Need for Palliation in Sickle Cell Disease. GHHS Humanism & Healing: Structural Racism and Its Impact on Medicine Virtual Conference. (May) Poster
  • Lackner, J.M., Quigley, B.M., Gudleski, G.D., Borden, A., Vargovich, A., Radziwon, C., Ruminski, A., Krasner, S.S. (2021) Not all symptom change is created equally: Sudden gains and critical sessions in cognitive behavioral therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Digestive Disease Week. (May) S-674-S-675
  • Quigley, B. M., Leonard, K. E., Testa, M., Houston, R. J., Lackner, J. M., Vargovich, A. M., & McCabe, E. (2020) Alcohol Use and Chronic Pain as Risk Factors for Partner Violence: An Actor Partner Interdependence Model Analysis. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2020 Research Society on Alcoholism (Note: Abstract published but conference cancelled due to CV-19). New Orleans, Louisiana (Jun) 126
  • Quigley, BM., Radziwon, C., Vargovich, A., Lackner, JM. (2020) Treatment expectancy for GI symptom improvement and motivation impacts the quality of the therapeutic alliance with IBS patients. Digestive Disease Week. (May) 411-421 Poster
  • Mason, S., Radziwon, C., Quigley, B. M., Vargovich, A.M.; Borden, A., & Lackner, J. M. (2020) Do I really have to do my homework?: The relationship between homework compliance and GI symptom improvement following Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Digestive Disease Week. (May) S-905 Poster
  • Gudleski, G.D., Quigley, B.Q., Naliboff, B.D., Labus, J.S., Mayer, E.A., Radziwon, C., Vargovich, A., Krasner, S., & Lackner, J.M. (2019) Centralized sensitivity phenotype as a predictor of outcome to cognitive-behavior therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. (Jun)
  • Quigley BM, Gudleski GD, Naliboff, BD, Labus JS, Mayer EA, Radziwon CD, Vargovich AM, Krasner S, Lackner JM. (2019) Centralized sensitivity phenotype as a predictor of outcome to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Gastroenterology, (May)
  • Quigley BM, Ruminski KA, Vargovich AM, Gudleski GD, Radziwon CD, Mayer EA, Lackner JM. (2019) Psychological flexibility as an important feature of digestive health for patients undergoing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Gastroenterology, (May)
  • Lackner JM, Quigley BM, Gudleski GD, Radziwon CD, Krasner S, Vargovich AM, Ruminski K A, Firth RS, Hamilton FA, Brenner DM. (2019) Global IBS Symptom Improvement In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy-Treated Patients Is Associated With Clinically Important Changes In Abdominal Pain And Stool Consistency Across All Bowel Types. Gastroenterology, (May)
  • Jones, D.L., Murphy, L.B., Misra, R., Vargovich, A.M., Guglielmo, D., Robinson, M., Shawley-Brzoska, S., Wen, S., Burkart, M., & Vaglienti, R. (2019) Participation in the Stanford University Chronic Pain Self-Management Program in a population with a high prevalence of arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatol, (Jan)
  • Vargovich AM, Sperry, J, Foley, K. P, McNeil, D. W. (2015) Predicting opioid prescribing: Influence of an expert opioid-risk evaluation. Journal of Pain, (May)
  • Vargovich AM, Davin, S. A, Goforth, H, Scheman, J. (2015) The role of alexithymia in pain catastrophizing and functioning among chronic pain patients presenting to an interdisciplinary chronic pain program. Journal of Pain, (May)
  • Vargovich AM, Sperry, J, Foley, K. P, McNeil, D. W. (2014) Opioid abuse potential and pain related measures in chronic pain patients presenting to a primary care clinic. Journal of Pain, (Apr)
  • Vargovich AM, Sperry, J., Foley, K. P. (2013) Do opioid prescribing policies affect primary care clinic follow up visit rates?. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, (May)
  • Vargovich AM, Randall, C. L, Quentin, L, Shulman, G, McNeil, D. W. (2012) Influences of anxiety sensitivity and posttraumatic stress symptomatology on pain responsivity. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, (Apr)
See all (6 more)

Professional Memberships:
  • Society of Teachers of Family Medicine; member (2017–2018)
  • West Virginia Psychological Association; Member (2015–2018)
  • American Academy of Pain Medicine; member (2015–present)
  • Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers; Member (2015–present)
  • International Association for the Study of Pain; Member (2014–present)
  • American Pain Society; Member (2013–2019)
  • American Psychological Association; Member (2007–present)

Presentations:
  • "The 'Stuck' Patient: Part 2" Coaches Lecture Series for Brook Health; Online (2022)
  • "Chronic Pain & OUD: Rewiring the Brain & Addressing the Overlap" HRSA program to train psychology students in SUDs. University of Memphis. Online. (2022)
  • "Pain Science and CBT" Doctor of Physical Therapy Integrated Pain Sciences course. Tufts University. HRSA Training Grant. Online. (2022)
  • "The ‘Stuck’ Patient" Coach Lecture Series for Brook Health; Online (2022)
  • "Vaccine Hesitancy: Understanding the Drivers of False Beliefs and Strategies for Belief Updating" OB/GYN Grand Rounds (2022)
  • "Vaccine Hesitancy: Understanding the Drivers of False Beliefs and Strategies for Belief Updating" Internal Medicine Grand Rounds (2022)
  • "Motivational Interviewing: Managing Patient Expectations" Spine Center Lecture Series, Catholic Health (2021)
  • "Solutions to the Opioid Crisis: Consideration of Pain Management" 2020 Fulbright Event (Cancelled due to CV-19) (2020)
  • "How to Retrain Your Brain to Manage Pain: Evidence-Based Treatment that Works" Invited Talk, Lunch & Learn SoN (2020)
  • "How to Retrain Your Brain to Manage Pain: Evidence-Based Treatment that Works" Erie County Department of Health & Catholic Health Treating Pain: Alternatives to Opioids Health Symposium (2019)
  • "Relation between affective and sensory experiences of pain and nicotine dependence, opioid misuse, and emotion dysregulation." 53rd Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference (2019)
  • "Motivational Interviewing in Physical Therapy" Catholic Health, Spine Center Program Didactic Series (2019)
  • "Mind Your P’s & Q’s: Pot, Pills, Pain Patients & Your Questions Answered Managing Chronic Pain in Primary Care" The Primary Connection (2019)
  • "Just the facts ma’am: A broad overview of evidence-based pain psychology treatment." American Academy of Pain Medicine 35th Annual Scientific Meeting (2019)
  • "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Evaluation & Treatment" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine Residency Didactics Series (2018)
  • "Autism Spectrum Disorder: Psychological Assessment & Treatment" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine Residency Didactics Series (2018)
  • "Crisis in Appalachia & Beyond: Chronic Pain & the Opioid Epidemic" SUNY University at Buffalo Department of Internal Medicine, Grand Rounds (2018)
  • "Integrated Primary Care Interventions" West Virginia University, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Graduate Course (2018)
  • "Introduction to Integrated Primary Care" West Virginia University, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Graduate Course (2018)
  • "Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evaluation & Treatment" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine Residency Didactics Series (2018)
  • "Difficult conversations: Training medical students to assess, educate, and treat the patient with chronic pain" Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Predoctoral Conference (2018)
  • "Drug diversion training and best practice prescribing of controlled substances" 31st Annual José I. Ricard, MD Family Medicine & Sports Medicine Conference (2017)
  • "Emotion dysregulation and risk for opioid misuse among chronic pain patients in Appalachia" 51st Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference (2017)
  • "“Crazy or Not Crazy?”: Team Based Care in the Medical Setting" West Virginia University Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Didactic Series (2017)
  • "Managing Chronic Pain & Substance Abuse in Primary Care" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine, PGY1 Orientation (2017)
  • "Wellness & Stress Management" West Virginia University School of Medicine, MS1 Orientation Bootcamp (2017)
  • "Difficult Conversations in the Inpatient Setting" West Virginia University, Department of Internal Medicine, Communication Workshop (2017)
  • "Wellness & Stress Management" West Virginia University School of Medicine, MS3 Orientation Bootcamp (2017)
  • "Alcohol use disorder: Evaluation & treatment" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine Residency Didactics Series (2017)
  • "Physician burnout and wellness strategies" West Virginia University, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty Development Series (2017)
  • "Psychological Screening in Patients with Chronic Pain" West Virginia University, ECHO Chronic Pain Didactics Series (2017)
  • "Changing the conversation: How to say “no” to chronic opioid therapy & “yes” to a biopsychosocial treatment plan" 2016 West Virginia University Spine Conference (2016)
  • "Drug diversion training and best practice prescribing of controlled substances" 30th Annual José I. Ricard, MD Family Medicine & Sports Medicine Conference (2016)
  • "Attitudes and knowledge about chronic non-malignant pain among family medicine physicians." 42nd Annual Hal Wanger Family Medicine Conference (2016)
  • "Behavioral Health in Primary Care" West Virginia University Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Didactic Series (2016)
  • "Non-malignant chronic pain management" 42nd Annual Hal Wanger Family Medicine Conference (2016)
  • "Crisis in Appalachia: Chronic Pain and the Opioid Epidemic" Mayo Clinic, Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Chair’s Presentation (2016)
  • "Opioid prescribing in the US and West Virginia" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine, PGY1 Orientation (2016)
  • "Managing Chronic Pain in Primary Care" Invited lecture at Monongahela Valley Association of Health Centers as part of the West Virginia Family Medicine Foundation/Benedum Grant (2016)
  • "Department Initiative Aimed to Better Execute T2dm Education and Self-management" 2016 Diabetes Symposium & Workshop: Bridging the Gap (2016)
  • "Introduction to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine Residency Didactics Series (2016)
  • "How to Discuss Tapering with Your Patients" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine Residency Didactics Series (2016)
  • "Managing Chronic Pain in Primary Care" Invited lecture at E.A. Hawse Healthcare Center as part of the West Virginia Family Medicine Foundation/Benedum Grant (2016)
  • "Primary Care Psychology" West Virginia University, Department of Psychology, Behavioral Medicine Course (2016)
  • "Psychological Issues in the Management of Chronic Pain" West Virginia University Department of Family Medicine Residency Didactics Series (2016)
  • "Predicting opioid prescribing: Influence of an expert opioid-risk evaluation." American Pain Society’s 34th Annual Scientific Meeting (2015)
  • "Predicting opioid prescribing: Influence of an expert opioid-risk evaluation" American Pain Society’s 34th Annual Scientific Meeting (2015)
  • "The role of alexithymia in pain catastrophizing and functioning among chronic pain patients presenting to an interdisciplinary chronic pain program." American Pain Society’s 34th Annual Scientific Meeting (2015)
  • "The Impact of Psychological Evaluation on Opioid Prescribing Decisions in Primary Care" Invited lecture at the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Center for Pain Didactic Series (2015)
  • "Opioid abuse potential and pain related measures in chronic pain patients presenting to a primary care clinic." American Pain Society's 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting (2014)
  • "Cognitive Behavioral Assessment and Therapy for Chronic Pain" Invited lecture at the Anesthesiology Education Day, Shands Hospital at the University of Florida (2014)
  • "Do opioid prescribing policies affect primary care clinic follow up visit rates?" American Pain Society's 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting (2013)
  • "Snort Your Pain Killers to Avoid a Tummy Ache: Great advice or potential abuse?" West Virginia UniversityDepartment of Psychology Clinical Case Conference (2013)
  • "Utilizing pain evaluations in a primary care setting to prevent opioid misuse." 6th Annual National Conference of the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (2013)
  • "Understanding the relation among emotional pain depression, anxiety, and fear." 46th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference (2012)
  • "Utilizing pain evaluations in a primary care setting to prevent opioid misuse." 38th Annual Hal Wanger Family Medicine Conference (2012)
  • "Influences of anxiety sensitivity and posttraumatic stress symptomatology on pain responsivity." 33rd Annual Society of Behavioral Medicine Conference (2012)
  • "Persistence of emotional pain, trauma, and joy across time." 45th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference (2011)
  • "Physical pain tolerance in individuals with a significant history of emotional pain." 45th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference (2011)
  • "Prediction of PTSD symptoms: The role of emotional pain and depression." 45th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference (2011)
  • "Comparisons of the quality and intensity of emotional pain and physical pain." 44th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Conference (2010)
  • "Comparisons of the quality and intensity of emotional pain and physical pain." Research Horizons Day (2010)
  • "You Dumb S---: How I Learned to Handle My Anger" West Virginia University Department of Psychology Clinical Case Conference (2010)
  • "Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: Working in Primary Care" Workshop presented to the West Virginia Primary Care Association (2009)
  • "Salivary testosterone levels in children with autism spectrum disorders." 8th Annual Penn-York Undergraduate Student Research Conference (2007)
See all (55 more)

Service Activities:
  • AAMC awards UB national grant to teach health sciences students how to tackle, overcome medical disinformation. The Buffalo News. • https://buffalonews.com/news/local/ub-medical-health-students-pilot-new-training-to-counter-medical-misinformation/article_a038498c-48a6-11ed-acc3-8fbc49c7c85d.html; Media Interview (2022)
  • AAMC awards UB national grant to teach health sciences students how to tackle, overcome medical disinformation. • https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2022/08/001.html; Media Interview (2022)
  • Patients turn to psychologists for new chronic pain strategies in the COVID-19 era. APA Monitor on Psychology interview on the role of psychology in medical training. Published Sept 2022. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/09/understanding-managing-pain; Media Interview (2022)
  • Interview on habit stacking for In Good Health. Published April 2022. https://issuu.com/wnyhealthnews/docs/ingoodhealthwny-apr-2022; Media Interview (2022)
  • Filmed Wellness Wednesday segment on Changing Health Behavior; Media (2022)
  • Interviewed by UB Media (Ellen Goldbaum (Dec 2021) on development of the Food as Medicine Intersession learning experience. Published initially by UB and picked up by other local news outlets. https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2022/01/020.html; Media Interview (2021)
  • Faculty Council’s Standing Committee on the Medical Curriculum – Course Evaluation Sub-Committee (CESC). Co-Chairs: Dr. Alan Lesse & Dr. Nicholas Silvestri; Member (2021–2024)
  • Postgraduate Medicine; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2021–present)
  • Preventive and Lifestyle Medicine Curriculum Development Committee. The aim of this committee is to develop a curricular thread throughout the four years of medical school and to develop new and innovative educational experiences related to preventive/lifestyle medicine.; Member (2021–present)
  • Interviewed by Practical Pain Management (Dec 2020) on psychological issues related to chronic facial pain. Published https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/conditions/tmj/trigeminal-neuralgia-empowered-patient-guide; Media Interview (2021)
  • Interviewed by SpineUniverse.com (Oct 2020) related to fibromyalgia. Published on: March 30, 2021 https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-causes; Media Interview (2021)
  • Interviewed by SpineUniverse.com (Oct 2020) related to fibromyalgia. Published on: Feb 2, 2021 https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-treatments; Media Interview (2021)
  • Interview by Healthcentral.com on the psychology of chronic pain. Published: https://www.healthcentral.com/article/which-psychological-approaches-work-for-chronic-pain-patients; Media Interview (2021)
  • The Scientific Literacy and Discovery (SL&D) Pillar Leader works closely with the course/module, clerkship, and other leaders as appropriate to establish the goals, learning objectives, and teaching and learning methods for this subject area across the undergraduate medical education curriculum. The SL&D Pillar Leader will actively support curricular innovation and improvement and provide content and assessment material to make the teaching and learning of SL&D succeed in its goals and objectives. Specifically, the SL&D Pillar Leader(s) will: • Monitor and evaluate the delivery of subject material across the continuum of the undergraduate medical education curriculum to ensure appropriate scaffolding of knowledge, skills, and behaviors • Work collaboratively with educational leaders of all 4 years of the medical curriculum to: determine appropriate pillar goals, learning objectives, assessments, and learning methods using intentional backwards design; identify appropriate pillar content based on national and local recommendations and institutional needs; determine the scheduling and placement of structured learning and assessment activities; work with the Office of Medical Curriculum and course/module and clerkship directors to identify and recruit faculty for learning activities based on expertise and teaching ability; create assessments consistent with their specific discipline and following best practice for assessment methods (e.g., NBME guidelines for MCQs; rubrics for performance based assessments, etc.); review individual session learning objectives, materials (e.g., PowerPoint, handouts, required readings, resources, etc.) and provide feedback and guidance to improve the sessions • Attend Phase 1, Phase 2, and Curriculum Committee Meetings and identified meetings related to curriculum integration • Collaborate with the Office for Accreditation and Quality Improvement (OAQI) to evaluate the processes and outcomes of the discipline throughout the curriculum • Attend occasional meetings of Pillar Leaders and Curriculum Office to discuss progress • Report annually and provide updates upon request to the Curriculum Committee on how the content integrates across the undergraduate medical education curriculum; Scientific Literacy & Inquiry Pillar Leader (2021–present)
  • Core Curriculum Design Team, Medical Curriculum Redesign, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2020–present)
  • Core Curriculum Design Team, Medical Curriculum Redesign, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Member (2020–present)
  • American Academy of Pain Medicine, Finance Committee; Member (2019–present)
  • American Academy of Pain Medicine, Behavioral Medicine Committee; Member (2019–present)
  • Wellness Committee, Department of Internal Medicine, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Member (2019)
  • Junior Faculty Panel, LCME Site Visit, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2019)
  • Junior Faculty Panel, LCME Site Visit, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Panel Member (2019)
  • Wellness Committee, Department of Internal Medicine, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2019–present)
  • Journal of Clinical and Counseling Psychology (2019–present)
  • Co-Leader, Opioid Use and Chronic Pain Curriculum Development Team, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2019–present)
  • Journal of Clinical and Counseling Psychology; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2019–present)
  • Pain and Substance Use Disorder Curriculum Thread, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Thread Leader (2019–present)
  • Pain Research & Management (2017–present)
  • Pain Research & Management; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2017–present)
  • ECHO Chronic Pain Project Planning Committee; Member (2016–2018)
  • WVU Comprehensive Pain Clinic Planning Committee; Member (2016–2018)
  • Family Medicine (2015–present)
  • Family Medicine; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2015–present)

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Contact Information

Erie County Medical Center
462 Grider St
DK Miller Bldg
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone: (716) 898-5671
Fax: (716) 898-3040
alisonva@buffalo.edu
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This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD
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