Cynthia A. Pristach MD
Cynthia A. Pristach
MD
Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Residency Training in Psychiatry
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Psychiatry
Education and Training:
- MD, Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Thesis Honors (1983)
- BS, Biology, Niagara University, Summa Cum Laude (1979)
Employment:
- Professor, Psychiatry, University at Buffalo (2008-present)
- Chief Psychiatrist, Psychiatry, Erie County Medical Center (1987-present)
- Clinical Associate Professor, Psychiatry, State Univeristy of New York at Buffalo (1995–2008)
- Consulting Psychiatrist, Employee Assistance Program (1992–1997)
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo (1994–1995)
- Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo (1987–1994)
- Consulting Psychiatrist, Horizon Human Services (1985–1988)
- Clinical Assistant Instructor, Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo (1983–1987)
Awards and Honors:
- Dr. Josie Olympia Award (2009)
- Royal College of Physicians Educator Accreditation (2008)
- Certificate of Recognition, Career Services Division of Student Affairs (2005)
- Department of Psychiatry Recognition Award (2004)
- Bruno Lima Award (2004)
- Distinguished Fellow (2003)
- Mentor of the Year Award (2001)
- Mentor of the Year Award (2000)
- Seventh Annual Nancy C.A. Roseske, M.D. Certificate of Recognition for Exce (1997)
- Mentor of the Year Award (1995)
- Mentor of the Year Award (1994)
- Outstanding Teaching Award (1990)
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- January 1999–January 2000
Research for Health In Erie County
Erie County
Role: Co-Investigator
$15,000 - January 1999–January 2000
Research for Health
Erie County
Role: Co-Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Dubovsky SL, Kaye DL, Pristach CA, Del Regno P, Pessar L, Stiles K. Can academic departments maintain industry relationships while promoting physician professionalism? Academic Medicine. 2010; 85(1).
- Pessar LF, Pristach CA, Leonard KE. What troubles clerks in psychiatry? A Strategy to Explore the Question.. Academic Psychiatry. 2008.
- Fan X, Pristach CA, Liu EY, Freudenreich O, Henderson DC. Elevated Serum Level of C-reactive Protein are Associated with More Severe Psychopathology in a Subgroup of Patients with Schizophrenia. Psychiatry Research. 2007.
- Fan X, Liu E, Pristach CA, Goff DC, Henderson DC. Higher fasting serum insulin levels are associated with a better psychopathology profile in acutely ill non-diabetic inpatients with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research. 2006.
- Valenti AM, Narendran R, Pristach CA. Who are patients on conventional antipsychotics? Schizophr Bull. 2003; 29(2).
- Leo RJ, Pristach CA, Streltzer J. Incorporating pain management training into the psychiatry residency curriculum. Acad Psychiatry. 2003; 27(1).
- Pristach CA, Smith CM. Attitudes towards alcoholics anonymous by dually diagnosed psychiatric inpatients. J Addict Dis. 1999; 18(3).
- Smith CM, Pristach CA, Cartagena M. Obligatory cessation of smoking by psychiatric inpatients. Psychiatr Serv. 1999; 50(1).
- Smith CM, Barzman D, Pristach CA. Effect of patient and family insight on compliance of schizophrenic patients. J Clin Pharmacol. 1997; 37(2).
- Pristach CA, Smith CM. Self-reported effects of alcohol use on symptoms of schizophrenia. Psychiatr Serv. 1996; 47(4).
- Pristach CA, Smith CM, Perkins C. Reliability of the Self-Administered Alcoholism Screening Test (SAAST) in psychiatricinpatients. J Addict Dis. 1993; 12(4).
- Block B, Pristach CA. Diagnosis and management of the paranoid patient. Am Fam Physician. 1992; 45(6).
- Pristach CA, Donoghue GD, Sarkin R, Wargula C, Doerr R, Opila D, Stern M, Single G. A multidisciplinary program to improve the teaching skills of incoming housestaff.. Acad Med. 1991; 66(3).
- Pristach CA Donoghue GD Sarkin R Wargula C Doerr R Opila D Stern M Single G. The development of a course to improve the teaching skills of PGY1 staff in multiple residency programs. Academic Medicine. 1991.
- Pristach CA, Smith CM. Medication compliance and substance abuse among schizophrenic patients. Hosp Community Psychiatry. 1990; 41(12).
- Smith CM, Pristach CA. Utility of the Self-Administered Alcoholism Screening Test (SAAST) in schizophrenic patients. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1990; 14(5).
- Pristach CA, Smith CM, Whitney RB. Alcohol withdrawal syndromes - prediction from detailed medical and drinking histories. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1983; 11(2).
Books and Book Chapters:
- Pristach CA, Virk S. Education in the Inpatient Setting. 2009.
Evaluative Studies and Case Reports:
- Narendran R, Young CM, Valenti AM, Nickolova MK, Pristach CA. Is psychosis exacerbated by modafinil? Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002; 59(3).
- Pristach CA. Lithium intoxication of unusual origin. Psychosomatics. 1987; 28(12).
Professional Memberships:
- American College of Psychiatrists (2005–present)
- Western New York Psychiatric Association (1990–present)
- American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training (1990–present)
- American Psychiatric Association; Member (1983–present)
- Association Of Academic Psychiatry
- Research Society on Alcoholism
Presentations:
- "An Abundant Shortage: The Role of Psychiatry Residents in Generating Medical Student Interest in Psychiatry" Annual Conference, American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training (2011)
- "Small Group Teaching: An Interactive Approach" Annual Conference, 37th Annual American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training (2008)
- "Psychological Sequelae of Disasters" Annual Conference, Protecting New York from Terrorism and Disaster: Taking Stock, Setting Directions, Looking Forward Conference (2008)
- "Tips for Teaching Large Classes: Classroom Management Issues" Quarterly Meeting, Teaching and Learning Center, University at Buffalo (2008)
- "C-Reactive Protein and Psychopathology Profile in Patients with Schizophrenia" Annual Conference, American Psychiatric Associationq (2004)
- "Using Creative Problem Solving Techniques at a Faculty Retreat to Establish a Reliable Resident Assessment Form" Annual Meeting, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training (2004)
- "A Curriculum in Pain Management for Psychiatry Residents" Annual Conference, American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training Meeting (2002)
- "Emotional Stress Among Resident Physicians" Annual Meeting, American Psychiatric Association (2001)
- "Sexual Dysfunction in Schizophrenics on Atypical Antipsychotics" Annual Meeting, American Psychiatric Association (2001)
- "Treatment of Atypical Antipsychotic Resistant Schizophrenia" Annual Meeting, American Psychiatric Association (2001)
- "Depressive Symptomatology in Psychiatric Inpatients with Comorbid Alcohol Abuse" Annual Conference, 151st Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (1998)
- "Curriculum Changes: Measuring Outcome" Annual Conference, 27th Annual American Association of Directors in Residency Training Midwinter Meeting (1998)
- "Depression in Women" Annual Conference, Excellence in Women's Health Care: Total Woman 2000 Conference (1997)
- "Attitudes towards Alcoholics Anonymous by Dually Diagnosed Psychiatric Inpatients" Annual Conference, American Orthopsychiatry 74th Annual Meeting (1997)
- "Training in Turbulent Times: New Directions in Professional Education-A Multidisciplinary Perspective" Annual Conference, American Orthopsychiatry 74th Annual Meeting, Invited workshop (1997)
- "Effects of Abrupt Smoking Cessation on an Inpatient Psychiatric Population" Annual Conference, 45th Institute for Hospital and Community Psychiatry (1993)
- "Computerized Medication Instruction for Acute Psychiatric Inpatients" Annual Conference, 44th Institute on Hospital and Community Psychiatry (1992)
- "History of Alcohol Abuse by Psychiatric Patients-Screening Tests and Interview" Annual Conference, Research Society on Alcoholism (1991)
- "Alcohol Screening in Acute Psychiatric Inpatients" Annual Conference, American Psychiatric Association (1991)
- "The Self-Administered Alcoholism Screening Test (SAAST) in Schizophrenic Patients" Annual Conference, 5th Congress of the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (1990)
- "Alcohol Abuse in a Schizophrenic Population" Annual Conference, American Psychiatric Association (1989)
Service Activities:
- Faculty Senate; Alternate Member (1997–1999)
- Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Student Affairs & Academic Standing; Member (1997–1999)
- Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Council; Alternate Member (1995–1997)
- Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Apppointment, Promotions,Tenure & Privileges; Member (1995–1996)
- Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Council; Member (1992–1994)
- Resident Allocation Advisory Team; Member (2002–2003)
- Host, Honors Undergraduate Student Program; Other (1998)
- Faculty Senate; Alternate Member (1997–1999)
- Faculty Council; Alternate Member (1995–1996)
- Medical School Family Weekend; Department of Psychiatry Faculty Participant; Panel Member (1995)
- Institutional Self Study Process and LCME Evaluation; Department of Psychiatry Representative; Member