Nancy H. Nielsen MD, PhD, MACP
Nancy H. Nielsen
MD, PhD, MACP
Senior Associate Dean for Health Policy
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Addictions; Health Outcomes Research; Health Services Research; Infectious Diseases; Internal Medicine; Microbiology; Substance Use Disorder
Professional Summary:
I am Senior Associate Dean for Health Policy since 2010, and provide guidance to the school and the university on health policy issues ranging from national to local areas of concern or opportunity. I frequently am sought after for media comments on regional or national matters of health policy.
I teach medical students as a lecturer in the new (and old) curriculum, ranging from participation in the Health Systems Science course for 1st and 2nd year students, teaching in the Leadership Track for medical students, agreeing to be faculty director for new med student elective in Advocacy (awaiting curriculum committee approval
I have a number of activities, serving on local boards (Hospice Buffalo; OLV Human Services) and as ad hoc liaison for the dean for projects as assigned (Anatomic Gift Program; Dermatology future; implementation of new Genetics Counselling master's degree program - these are but a few examples). I am on the UBMD task force as well although I do not do clinical care of patients directly. I am the dean's representative on AMSNY and AAMC government relations groups.
Education and Training:
- University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (1979)
- MD, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (1976)
- Certificate, Post-doctoral fellowship in clinical microbiology, Erie County Medical Center (formerly EJ Meyer Memorial Hospital), aligned with SUNY at Buffalo (1971)
- PhD, Microbiology, Catholic University of America (1970)
Employment:
- Senior Associate Dean for Health Policy, Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State university of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2010-present)
- Clinical Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1979-present)
- Senior Assoc. Dean for Health Policy, Dean's Office and Cabinet, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2010–2025)
- Senior Advisor, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Dept. of Health and Human Services (2011–2013)
- Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2003–2010)
- Chief Medical Officer, Independent Health (2004–2007)
- Associate Medical Director for Quality, Independent Health (1997–2004)
- Assistant Dean for Adademic and Student Affairs, Medicine, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1979–2003)
- Private Practice, Internal Medicine (1994–2002)
- Chief Medical Officer, Western Regional Offices, NY State Department of Health (1995–1997)
- Regional Medical Coordinator, Office of Professional Medical Conduct/Office of Health Systems Management, NY State Department of Health (1989–1997)
- Private Practice, Buffalo Medical Group, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases (1979–1994)
- Member, Board for Professional Medical Conduct, NYS Department of Health (1985–1989)
- Assistant Director, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Buffalo General Hospital (1979–1985)
Awards and Honors:
- Robert Milch Award for Advocacy and Clinical Excellence (2024)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2024)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
- Distinguished Alumni Award, The Catholic University of America, 2010
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, University at Buffalo School of Medicine, 2008
- Elizabeth Blackwell Award, American Medical Womenâs Association, 2009
- Hall of Fame, West Virginia University, 2009
- Institute of Medicine, 2009
- Master, American College of Physicians, 2009
- President, American Medical Association, 2008-2009
Research Expertise:
- Collaborator on various research projects, esp substance use disorder prevention and treatment
Journal Articles:
- Rohack JJ, Armstrong JH, Cady DM, Langston EL, Nielsen NH, Palmisano DJ. (2005) AMA's program for the twenty-first century. Pharos Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Med Soc (Jan), 68(3): 4-6.
- Tan, LJ, Nielsen NH, Young, DC, Trizna, Z. (2002) Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Consumer Products. Archives of Dermatology (Jan), 138: 1082-1086.
- Dickinson BD, Altman RD, Nielsen NH, Sterling ML. (2001) Drug interactions between oral contraceptives and antibiotics. Obstet Gynecol (Nov), 98(5 Pt): 853-860.
- Tan L, Altman RD, Nielsen NH. (2001) Screening nonimmigrant visitors to the United States for tuberculosis: report of the Council on Scientific Affairs. Arch Intern Med (Feb), 161(3): 334-340.
- Lyznicki JM, Nielsen NH, Schneider JF. (2000) Cardiovascular screening of student athletes. Am Fam Physician (Aug), 62(4): 765-774.
- Dickinson BD, Altman RD, Nielsen NH, Williams MA. (2000) Use of opioids to treat chronic, noncancer pain. West J Med (Feb), 172(2): 107-115.
- Goldman LS, Nielsen NH, Champion HC. (1999) Awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of depression. J Gen Intern Med (Sep), 14(9): 569-580.
- Guttman R, Altman RD, Nielsen NH. (1999) Alzheimer disease. Report of the Council on Scientific Affairs. Arch Fam Med (Jul), 8(4): 347-353.
- Tan L, Williams MA, Khan MK, Champion HC, Nielsen NH. (1999) Risk of transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy to humans in the United States: report of the Council on Scientific Affairs. American Medical Association. JAMA (Jun), 281(24): 2330-2339.
- Blum LN, Nielsen NH, Riggs JA. (1998) Alcoholism and alcohol abuse among women: report of the Council on Scientific Affairs. American Medical Association. J Womens Health (Sep), 7(7): 861-871.
Professional Memberships:
- National Academy of Medicine; Elected Member (2009–present)
- American Medical Association, President; Also, speaker of AMA HOuse of Delegates, 2003-07 vice speaker, 2000-2003 NYS delegate 2 terms on AMA Council on Scientific Affairs (2008–2009)
- American College of Physicians; Master, elected. Formerly Fellow. (2007–present)
- Medical Society of the State of New York; Member and delegate (former Speaker of House of Delegates) (1979–present)
- AMA National Quality Forum, Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement, Ambulatory Care Quality Alliance
- AMA Speaker of the House of Delegates; 4 consecutive terms 3 consecutive terms as vice speaker
- AMA's Council on Scientific Affairs
Presentations:
- "Various health policy topics, national, regional, local" Media events, talks to community organizations, presentations to national medical associations, too many to list
Service Activities:
- ; Search Committee member, chair of Psychiatry (2024–present)
- Provide guidance to Dept of Health and governor on appropriate approaches to chronic pain and avoidance of opioid dependence; Member, Statewide Task Force on Treatment of Chronic Pain (2024–present)
- (2024–present)
- State Medical Society, Women Physicians Leadership Academy (3 separate lectures); Speaker (2023–present)
- ; Chair, Pediatrics chair search committee (2023–2024)
- ; Interim Director, Anatomic Gift Program (2022)
- ; co-chair, search committee for JSMBS Dean/VP for Health Science (2020–2021)
- University-wide Addiction Initiative; Chair (2016–2019)
- Spokesperson for nationwide Voice for the Uninsured Campaign during leadup to passage of Affordable Care Act; AMA President (2007–2010)
- ; member, search committee for Internal Medicine Chair