Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Office of Medical Curriculum, Room 7164 955 Main St. Buffalo, New York 14203 Phone: (716) 829-3467 lfp@buffalo.edu
My academic career has been focused on the psychiatric education of medical students and the mentoring and teaching of psychiatry residents. It has been my pleasure to teach a generation of UB physicians about psychiatric illnesses they will see, regardless of their specialty practices.
My academic career has \emphasized medical education.I have been active in psychiatric education on the national level and served as President of The Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry and Chair of the Medical Student Education Committee of the American Psychiatric Association. I am an editor of "Handbook of Psychiatric Education," the standard text in the field.
In 2012 I was asked to develop a Center for Medical Humanities that focuses on all aspects of medical practice except for its core biological sciences. The Center began in 2013 and considers social, cultural, sociological, economic,and psychological forces that impinge on doctors and patients. It employs the arts, social sciences, and community outreach to explicate these matters. The Center has a required and elective curriculum and sponsors extracurricular activities.
Education and Training:
Columbia University Psychoanalytic Center (1977)
Fellowship, Psychotherapy Research, New York State Psychiatric Institute (1976)
Residency, Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center (1974)
Internship, Internal Medicine, St. Luke‘s - Roosevelt Medical Center (1971)
MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (1970)
BA, Wellesley College (1966)
Employment:
Director of Center Medical Humanities, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2013-present)
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Emerita, Interdepartmental, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2013-present)
Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2002-present)
Private Practice of Psychiatry (1974-present)
Director of Medical Education, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (1979–2013)
Associate Professor of Clinical Family Medicine, Psychiatry, University at Buffalo SUNY Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1998–2001)
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Psychiatry, University at Buffalo SUNY Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1985–2001)
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Psychiatry, University at Buffalo SUNY Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1979–1985)
Instructor in Psychiatry, Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (1976–1979)
Awards and Honors:
Josie Olympia, MD Award (2018)
Bruno Lima Award (2012)
Louis A. and Ruth Siegel Award for Teaching Excellence (2011)
Irma Bland Award for Excellence in Teaching Residents (2009)
Mentor of the Year Award (2007)
Louis A and Ruth Siegel Award (2006)
Josie Olympia, MD Award (2006)
Elevated to Fellow (2006)
Louis A. and Ruth Siegel Commendation (2005)
Louis A. and Ruth Siegel Commendations (2003)
Elected Distinquished Fellow (2003)
Honor Guard (2002)
Didactic Teacher of the Year Award (2000)
Elected Member (1999)
Teacher of the Year Award (1997)
Nancy C.A. Roeske, MD Certificate of Excellence (1992)
Pessar LF; Silberman KJ. (2006) Handbook of Psychiatric Education. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc..
Pessar LF; Sierles FS; Brodkey AC; Silberman E. (2006) Handbook of Psychiatric Education. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc..
Pessar LF; Rakel RE. (2000) Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, second edition, "Irritability". W. B. Saunders Co..
Pessar LF; Silverman KJ. (1999) Handbook of Psychiatric Education and Career Development. American Psychiatric Press.
Pessar LF; Clayton A; Peimer. (1996) Psychiatric Conditions and Upper Extremity Disorders. McGraw-Hill Health Professions.
Pessar LF; Hamilton NG; Meyers ML; Sierles FS. (1992) Psychotherapy. Williams and Wilkins.
Pessar LF; Dickstein LJ; Goldstein MZ; Stephenson JJ; Axelrod S. (1989) Medical Students Attitudes Toward Care of the Frail Elderly. American Psychiatric Press.
Presentations:
"Mental Health in African American Women" WUFO (2019)
"Virgins, Vixens, and Vampires: The Art of Edvard Munch" Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds; Department of Psychiatry Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; as above (2018)
"Medicine Thrives in a Climate of Change and Innovation" Pre-Match Day Retreat; Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Class of 2017 (2017)
"Observing and Interviewing" The Art of Examination: Art Museum and Medical School Partnerships; Edith O'Donnell Institute of Art History at the University of Texas and The Museum of Modern Art; national conference of art museums and medical schools (2016)
"Artistic Representations of Medicine" meeting; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons-Basset Program; medical students and administrators (2015)
"The Tradition of Humanism in Medicine" Gold Humanism Honor Society Induction; Jacobs School of medicine and Biomedical Sciences; GHHS (2014)
"The Physician in Art" Medical Union; Medical Union; physicians (2013)
"Art and Narrative" Narrative Wellness Narrative Health Conference; University at Buffalo; as above (2013)
"Loss and Betrayal: The art of Edvard Munch" Art Gallery presentation; Albright Knox Art Gallery; adult education (2013)
"Was Vincent Van Gogh a Madman?" Western New York Psychiatric Society; WNY District Branch of American Psychiatric Association; as above (2013)
"The Physician in Art" Inaugural meeting, Gold Humanism Honor Society Residency Chapter; GHHS; Residency Chapter (2012)
"Science and Humanism in Medicine" Pre-Match Day Retreat; University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Class of 2012 (2012)
"Virgins, Vixens and Vampires: The Art of Edvard Munch" Grand Rounds; Albany Medical College; Department of Psychiatry (2011)
"Science and Humanism in Medicine" Pre-Match Day Retreat; University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Class of 2011 (2011)
"Science and Humanism in Medicine" Pre-Match Day Retreat; Jacobs School of medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Class of 2011 (2011)
"The Art of Negotiation for New Directors Part II" ADMSEP Annual Meeting; ADMSEP; ADMSEP (2010)
"Workshop: Using Fine Arts to Teach Psychiatry" ADMSEP Annual Meeting; ADMSEP; ADMSEP (2010)
"Dr. Gross and Dr. Levet: Two Views of the Heroic Physician" Pre-Match Day Retreat; University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Class of 2012 (2010)
"Dr. Gross and Dr. Levet: Two Views of the Heroic Physician" Pre-Match Day Retreat; Jacobs School of medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Class of 2020 (2010)
"Exploring Mental Life Through Art, " ADMSEP Annual Meeting; ADMSEP; Special Presentation (2009)
"The Art of Negotiation for New Directors Part II" ADMSEP Annual Meeting; ADMSEP (2009)
"Educating a New Generation of Physicians in Psychiatry" American Psychiatric Association; Americal Psychiatric Association; Reports from Winners of APA Innovative Teaching Grants (2009)
"Psychological Sequelae of Disaster" Conference; ; Protecting New York from Terrorism and Disaster: Taking Stock, Setting Directions, Looking Froward (2008)
"Education Consultation with the Experts" ADMSEP Annual Meeting; ADMSEP; Workshop (2008)
"The Art of Negotiation for New Directors," ADMSEP Annual Meeting; ADMSEP Annual Meeting (2008)
"The Ripple Effect of Psychiatric Stigma in Medical Education and Strategies to Combat it" American Psychiatric Annual Meeting; American Psychiatric Annual Meeting; Workshop (2008)
"What Troubles Clerks in Psychiatry? Ask Them" Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (2008)
"Psychiatry in the Neuroscience Curriculum: Promise and Peril" American Psychiatric Society Annual Meeting; American Psychiatric Society Annual Meeting; Workshop (2001)
"Women's Leadership and Career Development" American Psychiatric Association; American Psychiatric Annual Meeting; Workshop (2001)
"Who Needs Mental Health Care? And Who Decides?" North American Primary Care Patients; North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting; Poster Presentation (2000)
"Assessing Outpatient Teaching in the Clerkhsip" Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry Annual Meeting; Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry; Special Interest Group (2000)
"Teaching Psychiatry in an Ambulatory Setting" American Psychiatric Association; American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; Workshop (2000)
"Exploring New Settings for Clerkship Teaching" Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry Annual Meeting; Association of Directors of Medical Stdent Education in Psychiatry; Panel (1999)
"Mood Disorders in Women's Life Cycle," Grand Rounds; Department of Orthopedics; University at Bufflo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (1998)
"Psychiatric Disorders in Orthopedics" Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Scences; Department of Orthopedics (1998)
"Diagnosing Factitious Disorders" Grand Rounds; University of Aberdeen; Department of Psychiatry (1997)
"Diagnosis and Treatment of Factitious Disorders" Grand Rounds; North Shore University Hospital; Department of Psychiatry (1997)
"Psychiatric Recruitment: Views from Top Schools" American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; American Psychiatric Association; Workshop (1994)
"Recruitment: Evollving Issues, Creative Responses," Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry; Annual Meeting; Workshop (1994)
"Women's Mood Disorders in Primary Care" Conference; ; Critical Issues in Women's Health (1994)
"Family Issues in Traumatic Brain Injury" American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; American Psychiatric Association; Workshop (1992)
"Impact of Parental Traumatic Brain Injury on Children" Cognitive Rehabilitation and Community Integration; ; Conference (1991)
"Parental Brain Injury and Children's Responses." Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Department of Psychiatry (1991)
"Psychotherapy and Brain Injury" Conference; University at Buffalo; Psychotherapy for Individuals and Famiels Affected by Brain Injury (1991)
"Factitious Illness: Diagnosis and Treatment'" Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo SUNY; Department of Psychiatry (1989)
"Factitious Injury and Malingering View from te Head" American Society for Surgery to the Hand; American Society for Surgery of the Heat; Course (1989)
"New York's Law on Training - Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls" Workshop; American Psychiatric Associaion; American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting (1989)
"Teaching Psychodynamics to Medical Students" Grand Rounds; SUNY at Downstate School of Medicine; Department of Psychiatry (1989)
"Factitious Illness: An Interdiscipilinary Treatment Strategy" Grand Rounds; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Department of Psychiatry (1988)
"Teaching Psychodynamics to Psychiatry Residents" Western New York Psychoanalytic Society; WNY Psychoanalytic Society; Symposium (1988)
":Assessing Medical Student Performance in the Clinical Year" Association for Academic Psychiatry; Association for Academic Psychiatry; Annual Meeting (1987)
"Clerkship Semina in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy" Association for Academic Psychiatry; Annual Meeting, Association for Academic Psychiatry; Presentation (1986)
"Interdisciplinary Team Treatment for Patients with Factitious Illnesses" Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry; West Virginia University School of Medicine; Grand Rounds (1986)
"Unresolved Issues in Medical Student Evaluation" Annual Meeting American Psychiatric Association; American Psychiatric Association; Workshop (1986)
"Factitious Hand Injury" American Society Surgery of the Hand; American Society Surgery of Hand; Course (1985)
"Medical Student Clerkship and Perception of Professional Roles" Annual Meeting of the Americal Psychiatric Association; American Psychiatric Association; New Research Presentation (1985)
"Theoretical Models for Understanding Borderline Personality Disorders" Jewish Family Services; Jewish Family Services (1984)
"Demonstration and Discussion of Interview Techniques for Patients with Borderline Personality Disorders" Jewish Family Services; Jewish Family Services (1984)
"Self Psychology Seminar" Self Psychology Seminar; School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; University at Buffalo SUNY (1982)
Igniting Hope Conference Igniting Hope: 2019 Reimagining Forum, Health Education and Social Justice; Chair (2018)
African American Health Care Disparities Task Force; Committee Member (2017–present)
Breaking Barriers with Books Book Club for medical students and Fruit Belt community members; Director (2016–present)
"The Brain and the Brush: Was Van Gogh a Madman?" "The Brain and the Brush: Was Van Gogh a Madman?" with Mariann Smith, Curator of Education, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY February and March 2009; Presentor (2009)
Curriculum Committee Curriculum Committee, University at Buffalo, SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - 2009 - Present; Committee Member (2009–2010)
LCME Task Force LCME Task force; Other (2009–2010)
"The Brain and the Brush II: The Works of Edvard Munch" "The Brain and the BrushII: The works of Edvard Munch," with Mariann Smith, Curator of Education, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY, July and August 2009; Presentor (2009)
American Psychiatric Association Chair, Committee on Medical Student Education 206 - 2009 for the American Psychiatric Association; Chair (2006–2009)
"Parenting and Perfectionism" Presentation to parents at The Elmwood Franklin School, Buffalo, NY "Parenting and Perfectionism"; Presentor (2006)
Elevated to Fellow American College of Psychiatrists Elevated to Fellow - 2006 - American College of Psychiatrists; Other (2006–present)
American College of Psychiatrists Member of the Committee on Long-Range Planning and Policy for the American College of Psychiatrists - 2004 - 2006; Committee Member (2004–2006)
Helping, Hurting and Healing at Ground Zero Panel Discussion: 9/11/02 First Response: Healping, Hurting and Healing at Ground Zero sponsored by Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society; Panel Member (2004)
Mini Medical School - Presentation on Depression Mini Medical School - Presentation on Depression, University at Buffalo Suny School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Presentor (2004)
Elected Dinstinguished Fellow Elected Distinguished Fellow to the American Psychiatric Association; Other (2003)
Appointments, Promotions and Tenure Committee Appointments, Promotions and Tenure Committee 2003 - Present; Committee Member (2003–present)
Disaster Psychiatry Outreach Member, Disaster Psychiatry Outreach - an organization which provides crisis intervention and psychiatric intervention during and after disasters. Provided psychiatric services at Ground Zero and Pier 94 inNew York City, September, 2001 - 2001 - Present; Member (2001–present)
Group for Advanced Psychiatry Member, Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry Education Committee 2004-2005 Chairman; Education Committee; Chair (2000–2005)
American College of Psychiatrists Member of the Committee on Continuing Medical Education for the American College of Psychiatrists 2000 - 2001; Committee Member (2000–2001)
Member, American College of Psychiatrists Member of the American College of Psychiatrists from 1999 - Present; Member (1999–present)
Editorial Board Member - Academic Psychiatry Editorial Board Member Academic Psychiatry; Editorial Board Member (1998–2004)
Reviewer American Psychiatric Press, Inc. Reviewer - American Psychiatric Press, Inc.; Reviewer (1998–2004)
Curricular Task Force Curricular Task Force, University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Member (1998–2000)
Faculty Council Faculty Council - University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Member (1997–1999)
Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP) Past President 1997-1999 - Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP); Past President (1997–1999)
Student Affairs Committee of the Faculty Council Student Affairs Committee of the Faculty Council; Committee Member (1997–1998)
Curriculum Committee Curriculum Committee, University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Committee Member (1996–1998)
American Psychiatric Association Chairman, Ethics Committee for the American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society; Chair (1996–1997)
American Psychiatric Association Chairman, Ethics Committee - American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society - 1996 - 1997; Other (1996–1997)
Graduate Medical Education Sub-Committee on Curriculum Graduate Medical Education Sub-Committee on Curriculum 1996 - Present; Committee Member (1996–present)
World Psychiatric Association Curriculum Task Force Member of the Advisory Committee for the World Psychiatric Association Curriculum Task Force; Alternate Delegate (1995–1997)
Chairman-Third and Fourth Year Committee/Phase 2 Committee Chairman - Third and Fourth Year Committee/Phase 2 Committee - University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Chair (1995–1997)
American Psychiatric Association Member, Committee on Medical Student Educarion for the American Psyciatric Association - 1999 - 2002; Committee Member (1995–1997)
American Psychiatric Association Council on Education and Career Development, ADMSEP Liason - 1995 - 1997; Other (1995–1997)
Asssociation of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP) President of the Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP) 1995 - 1997; President (1995–1997)
Ad Hoc Medical School Committee on Sexual Harasssment Ad Hoc Medical School Committee on Sexual Harassment; Committee Member (1995–1996)
Introduction to Clinical Medicine Steering Committee Introduction to Clinical Medicine Steering Committee; Committee Member (1994–1996)
Faculty Council Faculty Council - University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Member (1994–1996)
Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP) President Elect - 1993-1995 Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP); Other (1993–1995)
Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP) Secretary/Newsletter Editor 1991-1993 for the Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP); Secretary (1991–1993)
American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society President; American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society 1991; President (1991–1992)
"Gender and Stress" - Co-Chair "Gender and Stress", Co-Chair of a daylong symposium sponsored by Wellesley Club of Western New York; Co-Chair (1991)
American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society Secretary; American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society - 1990 - 1991; Secretary (1990–1991)
American Psychiatric Association Elected Fellow to the American Psychiatric Association 1990; Other (1990)
Changing Lives: A Panel on Midlife Career Change Changing Lives: A Panel on Midlife Career Change. The Seven College Alumnae Club of Western New York; Panel Member (1990)
Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP) Secretary 1989-1991 - Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP); Secretary (1989–1991)
Leader - Support Group Leader of Support Group: "Coping with Adult Children", Buffalo, New York; Other (1989–1990)
American Psychiatric Association, Western NEw ork Psychiatric Society Treasurer; American Psychiatric Association, Western NEw ork Psychiatric Society - 1989 - 1990; Treasurer (1989–1990)
American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society Program Chairman; American Psychiatric Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society 1988 - 1989; Program Coordinator (1988–1989)
Chairman, Departmental Self-Study Committee for Liaison Committee for Medical Education Review Chairman - Departmental Self-Study Committee for Liaison Committee for Medical Education Review; Chair (1988)
"Work, Women's Work, and Self-Esteem" "Work, Women's Work, and Self-Esteem" Western New York District Branch, American Psychiatric Association, Spouses Network; Member (1988)
"Coping With Stress" "Coping with Stress" Williamsville East High School, Williamsville, New York; Presentor (1988)
Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (DMSEP) Executive Council 1987-2001 for the Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP); Executive Board (1987–2001)
Curriculum Committee Curriculum Committee, University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Committee Member (1987–1989)
Advisory Board Advisory Board, Office of Teaching Effectiveness, SUNY at Buffalo; Advisory Board (1986–1990)
Workshop, "The Working Woman: Coping with Stress" Workshop, "The Working Woman: Coping with Stress", Women's Health Symposium sponsored by Wellesley College; Professional Committee (1985)
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Examiner in Psychiatry for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology - 1984 - Present; Examiner (1984–2016)
Faculty Senate Committee Faculty Senate Committee on Teaching Quality, Faculty Mentor, SUNY at Buffalo; Other (1984–1990)
Guest Ex[ert Guest Expert, Public Radio broadcasts (WEBR, WBFO) to discuss issues related to Mental Health; Other (1983–1998)
Appointments, Promotions and Tenure Committee Appointments, Promotions and Tenure Committee - 1982 - 1991; Committee Member (1982–1991)
Faculty Council Representative to the Executive Committee Faculty Council Representative to the Executive Committee of the University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Committee Member (1982–1984)
Chairman-Third and Fourth Year Committee/Phase 2 Committee Chairman-Third and Fourth Year Committee/Phase 2 Committee - University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Chair (1981–1982)
Chairman-Student Affairs Committee of the Faculty Council Chairman - student Affairs Committee of the Faculty Council; Chair (1981–1982)
"Working Mothers: Integrating Roles" "Working Mothers: Integrating Roles", Sponsored by the Jewis Center of Greater Buffalo; Participant (1981)
"Stress and the Working Woman" "Stress and the Working Woman", Presentation to the Western New York Association of Women Lawyers; Presentor (1981)
Second Year Committee/Phase I Committee Second Year Committee/Phase I Committee - University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - 1980 - Present; Committee Member (1980–present)
Third and Fourth Year Committee/Phase 2 Committee Third and Fourth Year Committee/Phase 2 Committee - University at Buffalo SUNY School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - 1979 - Present; Committee Member (1979–2013)
Steering Committee Steering Committee, Self-Study Institutional Review for LCME; Committee Member (1979–1980)
Task Force, Self-Study Institutional Review Task Force, Self-Study Institutional Review for LCME; Member (1979–1980)
Graduate Medical Education Committee Graduate Medical Education Committee - 1979 - Present; Committee Member (1979–present)
Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry Member 1995-1997 - Association of Directors of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry (ADMSEP); Member (1979–present)
American Psychiatry Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society American Psychiatry Association, Western New York Psychiatric Society - 1979 to Present; Member (1979–present)
American Psychiatric Association Member of the American Psychiatric Association from 1974 to Present; Member (1974–present)
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Office of Medical Curriculum, Room 7164 955 Main St. Buffalo, New York 14203 Phone: (716) 829-3467 lfp@buffalo.edu