John A. Sellick, Jr DO, MS
John A. Sellick, Jr
DO, MS
Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Infectious Disease; Infectious Diseases; Internal Medicine
Contact Information
Patient Care
Patient Care
This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.
View this physician on UBMDProfessional Summary:
My primary patient care activites involve hospitalized patients at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VA) in Buffalo.
I also have an outpatient clinic at UB’s Student Health Center on the South Campus where I see students for general ambulatory infectious diseases such as skin infections, positive tuberculosis skin tests, etc. I also see students before they travel internationally for care such as immunizations and risk avoidance education and, if needed, for post-travel care and follow-up.
I teach first- and second-year medical students in lectures and small group sessions, primarily in the microbiology, respiration, musculoskeletal and reproductive modules. I also teach third- and fourth-year medical students, residents, and fellows on the infectious diseases and internal medicine services at the VA.
In addition to patient care and teaching, I have significant roles related to infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship at two of Buffalo’s major health care systems, and I serve as Hospital Epidemiologist for both. My work includes pandemic and bioterrorism planning activities for these hospital systems as well as the University at Buffalo. These responsibilities require that I collaborate with hospital infection control teams, pharmacists, microbiologists and administrators (particularly the offices of quality management, risk management and patient safety) and with UB’s Student Affairs team. I also interact frequently with local health department staff.
Our infection control efforts have been based on the epidemiologic paradigm of hypothesis development, data collection and critical interpretation of the data followed by a rational and directed action plan. This is done for routine infection prevention, outbreak and cluster investigation, healthcare worker safety and antimicrobial stewardship.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Infectious Diseases, University at Buffalo (1987)
- Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (1985)
- DO, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (1982)
- MS, Microbiology, University of Notre Dame (1978)
- BS, University of Notre Dame (1976)
Employment:
- Professor, Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018-present)
- Section Chief, Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System (2018-present)
- Hospital Epidemiologist, Kaleida Health (1998-present)
- Hospital Epidemiologist, Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System (1994-present)
- Associate Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1995–2018)
- Hospital Epidemiologst, Buffalo General Hospital (1988–1998)
Awards and Honors:
- Dean‘s Award, JSMBS (2020)
- Alpha Omega Alpha Distinguished Lecturer, JSMBS (2015)
- Chapter Laureate Award, NYACP (2014)
Research Expertise:
- Epidemiology
- Infection prevention: outbreak/cluster investigation, antimicrobial stewardship
- Pandemic and bioterrorism planning
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- Minimizing the Infection Contamination Areas for Healthcare Workers in Wearing Gowns via a Behavioral Experiment and Computational Models.
University at Buffalo IMPACT
Role: Co-Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Desilets J, Mittal A, Sellick JA, Patel SP. (2023) Risk assessment of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in corneal transplantation. American journal of ophthalmology case reports (Jun), 30: 101856. doi:10.1016/j.ajoc.2023.101856
- DeRosa A, Wattengel BA, Carter MT, Sellick JA, Lesse AJ, Mergenhagen KA. (2021) Admissions and Mortality Related to Urinary Tract Infections in Male Veterans with Dementia. Sr Care Pharm (Dec), 36(12): 681-6.
- Wilkinson LA, Mergenhagen KA, Carter MT, Chua H, Clark C, Wattengel BA, Sellick JA, El-Solh AA. (2021) Smoking status related to Covid-19 mortality and disease severity in a veteran population. Respir Med. (Dec), 190: 106668.
- Yam G, Wattengel BA, Carter MT, Sellick JA, Lesse AJ, Mergenhagen KA. (2021) Trends in beta-hemolytic Streptococcus infections within Veterans' Affairs medical centers from 2009 to 2018. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. (Nov), 42(11): 1356-1360.
- Moore R, Wattengel BA, Carter MT, Lesse AJ, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA. (2021) Sputum susceptibilities in a nationwide veteran cohort. Am J Infect Control. (Aug), 49(8): 995-999.
- Wilkinson LA, Carter MT, Wattengel BA, Lesse AJ, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA. (2021) Societal factors contributing to infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a veteran population. Int J STD AIDS. (Aug), 32(9): 845-851.
- DeRosa A, Carter MT, Wattengel BA, Lesse AJ, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA. (2021) Antimicrobial susceptibility trends for urinary isolates in the veteran population. Am J Infect Control. (May), 49(5): 576-581.
- DeRosa A, Wattengel BA, Carter MT, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA. (2020) An Evaluation of Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Dental Procedures at a Veterans Healthcare System; A Role for Senior Care Pharmacists?. Sr Care Pharm. (Dec), 35(12): 567-572.
- Wattengel BA, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2020) Outpatient antimicrobial stewardship: Optimizing patient care via pharmacist led microbiology review. Am J Infect Control (Feb), 48(2): 189-193.
- Wattengel BA, DiTursi S, Schroeck JL, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2020) Outpatient antimicrobial stewardship: Targets for urinary tract infections. Am J Infect Control (Jan).
- Sumon ZE, Lesse AJ, Sellick JA, Tetewsky S, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Temporal trends of inpatient C. difficile infections within the Veterans Health Administration hospitals: An analysis of the effect of molecular testing, time to testing, and mandatory reporting. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol (Nov)1-8.
- Mason J, Kiel A, White A, Clark CM, Wattengel BA, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA. (2019) Impact of Beta-Lactam Allergy on Treatment of Outpatient Infections. Clin Ther (Oct).
- Mergenhagen KA, Starr KE, Wattengel BA, Lesse AJ, Sumon Z, Sellick JA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Determining the utility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nares screening in antimicrobial stewardship. Clin Infect Dis (Oct).
- Wattengel BA, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Outpatient antimicrobial stewardship: Optimizing patient care via pharmacist led microbiology review. Am J Infect Control (Sep).
- Clark CM, White A, Sellick J, Mergenhagen, KA. (2019) Evaluation of antibiotic prescribing in a Veteran Affairs outpatient setting: Identification of stewardship targets. Senior Care Pharm (Apr), 34(4).
- Clark CM, White AT, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Evaluation of Antibiotic Prescribing in a Veterans Affairs Outpatient Setting: Identification of Stewardship Targets. Sr Care Pharm (Apr), 34(4): 268-278.
- White A, Clark CM, Sellick J, Mergenhagen, KA. (2019) Identification of antimicrobial stewardship targets in the outpatient setting. Am J Infect Control (Mar).
- White AT, Clark CM, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Antibiotic stewardship targets in the outpatient setting. Am J Infect Control (Mar).
- Wattengel BA, Sellick JA, Skelly MK, Napierala R, Schroeck J, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship: Targets for Community-Acquired Pneumonia. Clin Ther (Feb).
- Sumon ZE, Berenson CS, Sellick JA, Bulman ZP, Tsuji BT, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Successful cure of daptomycin-non-susceptible, vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis directed by synergistic in vitro time-kill study. Infect Dis (Lond) (Feb)1-6.
- Cieri B, Conway EL, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Identification of risk factors for failure in patients with skin and soft tissue infections. Am J Emerg Med (Jan), 37(1): 48-52.
- Skelly MK, Wattengel BA, Napierala R, Risbood V, Schroeck J, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2019) Impact of mental illness on outcomes of outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia. Int Clin Psychopharmacol (Jan), 34(1): 45-50.
- Skelly MK, Wattengel BA, Napierala R, Risbood V, Schroeck J, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2018) Impact of mental illness on outcomes of outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia. Int Clin Psychopharmacol (Nov).
- Sellick JA, Russo TA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2018) Getting hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae on the radar screen. Curr Opin Infect Dis (Aug), 31(4): 341-346.
- Cieri B, Conway EL, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2018) Identification of risk factors for failure in patients with skin and soft tissue infections. Am J Emerg Med (Apr).
- Gee ME, Ford J, Conway EL, Ott MC, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2018) Proper Antibiotic Use in a Home-Based Primary Care Population Treated for Urinary Tract Infections. Consult Pharm (Feb), 33(2): 105-113.
- Conway EL, Lin K, Sellick JA, Kurtzhalts K, Carbo J, Ott MC, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2017) Impact of Penicillin Allergy on Time to First Dose of Antimicrobial Therapy and Clinical Outcomes. Clin Ther (Nov), 39(11): 2276-2283.
- Sellick J, Mergenhagen K, Morris L, Feuz L, Horey A, Risbood V, Wojciechowski A, Ruh C, Bednarczyk E, Conway E, Ott M, Sellick, Jr JA. (2017) Fluoroquinolone-Related Neuropsychiatric Events in Hospitalized Veterans. Psychosomatics (Nov).
- Pineles L, Morgan DJ, Lydecker A, Johnson JK, Sorkin JD, Langenberg P, Blanco N, Lesse A, Sellick J, Gupta K, Leykum L, Cadena J, Lepcha N, Roghmann MC, Sellick, Jr JA. (2017) Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to health care worker gowns and gloves during care of residents in Veterans Affairs nursing homes. Am J Infect Control (Sep), 45(9): 947-953.
- Conway EL, Sellick JA, Kurtzhalts K, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2017) Obesity and Heart Failure as Predictors of Failure in Outpatient Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother (Mar), 61(3).
- Kurtzhalts KE, Sellick JA, Ruh CA, Carbo JF, Ott MC, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2016) Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship on Outcomes in Hospitalized Veterans With Pneumonia. Clin Ther (Jul), 38(7): 1750-1758.
- Carbo JF, Ruh CA, Kurtzhalts KE, Ott MC, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2016) Male veterans with complicated urinary tract infections: Influence of a patient-centered antimicrobial stewardship program. Am J Infect Control (Jul).
- Fodero KE, Horey AL, Krajewski MP, Ruh CA, Sellick JA, Mergenhagen KA, Sellick, Jr JA. (2016) Impact of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Patient Safety in Veterans Prescribed Vancomycin. Clin Ther (Jan).
- Ibrahim LA, Sellick JA, Watson EL, McCabe LM, Schoenhals KA, Martinello RA, Lesse AJ, Sellick, Jr JA. (2015) An Outbreak of Severe Group A Streptococcus Infections Associated with Podiatric Application of a Biologic Dermal Substitute. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol (Dec)1-7.
- Schroeck JL, Ruh CA, Sellick JAJr, MC, Mattappallil A, Mergenhagen KA. (2015) Factors Associated with Antibiotic Misuse in Outpatient Treatment for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother (Jan).
- Pretorius RW, Lichter MI, Okazaki G, Sellick J. (2010) Where do they come from and where do they go: implications of geographic origins of medical students. Acad Med (Oct), 85(10 Su): 17-20.
- Sellick JA. (1997) Electronic mail: an imperative for healthcare epidemiologists. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol (May), 18(5): 377-381.
- Antalek MD, Mylotte JM, Lesse AJ, Sellick JA. (1995) Clinical and molecular epidemiology of Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia, with special reference to strains with high-level resistance to gentamicin. Clin Infect Dis (Jan), 20(1): 103-109.
- Sellick J. (1993) The use of statistical process control charts in hospital epidemiology. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol (Jan), 14: 649-656.
- Sellick J, Longbine D, Schifeling RW, Mylotte JM. (1992) Screening hospital employees for measles immunity is more cost effective than blind immunization. Ann Intern Med (Jun), 116(12 Pt): 982-984.
- Sellick JA, Condoluci DV. (1992) The varied clinical presentations of meningococcal infection. J Am Osteopath Assoc (May), 92(5): 633-637.
- Sellick J, Hazamy PA, Mylotte JM. (1991) Influence of an educational program and mechanical opening needle disposal boxes on occupational needlestick injuries. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol (Dec), 12(12): 725-731.
- Sellick JA, Stelmach M, Mylotte JM. (1991) Surveillance of surgical wound infections following open heart surgery. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol (Oct), 12(10): 591-596.
- Sellick JA. (1989) Erythromycin therapy for cryptosporidiosis?. J Am Osteopath Assoc (Aug), 89(8): 977-977.
- Sellick JA. (1989) Epidural abscess and subdural empyema. J Am Osteopath Assoc (Jun), 89(6): 806-810.
Abstracts:
- Clark CM, White A, Sellick J, Mergenhagen, KA. (2018) Evaluation of antibiotic prescribing practices for geriatric patients in the outpatient setting in a Veteran Affairs hospital: identification of stewardship targets. Open Forum Infect Dis, (Nov)
- Mergenhagen KA, Sellick J, White A, Clark CM, Ott MC. (2018) Identification of Antimicrobial Stewardship Targets in the Outpatient Setting. Open Forum Infect Dis, (Nov)
Professional Memberships:
- American College of Physicians; Fellow 1993 (1990–present)
- Infectious Diseases Society of America; Fellow 2001 (1987–present)
- Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; Fellow 2004 (1987–present)
- American Society for Microbiology (1978–present)
Presentations:
- "Lack of evidence of transmission of bloodborne viruses by improperly reprocessed fiberoptic endoscopes." 6th Decennial International Conference on Healthcare Associated Infections (2020)
- "Discovering Outpatient Stewardship Targets: An Evaluation of Community Acquired Pneumonia in the Outpatient Setting." IDWeek 2018; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2018)
- "Evaluation of Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Geriatric Patients in the Outpatient Setting in a Veterans Affairs Hospital: Identification of Stewardship Targets." IDWeek 2018; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2018)
- "Identification of Antimicrobial Stewardship Targets in the Outpatient Setting." IDWeek 2018; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2018)
- "Impact of Mental Illness on Outcomes of Outpatients with Community Acquired Pneumonia" IDWeek 2018; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2018)
- "Temporal Trends of Inpatient C. difficile Infections within the Veterans Affairs Hospitals: A Bioinformatics Analysis of Nationwide Metadata from the Past Decade." IDWeek 2018; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2018)
- "Obesity contributes to failure of outpatient treatment of skin and soft tissue infections." IDWeek 2016; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2016)
- "Gown and Glove Use to Prevent the Spread of MRSA in VA Community Living Centers (CLCs)." IDWeek 2015; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2015)
- "Impact of antimicrobial stewardship on outcomes in hospitalized veterans with pneumonia." IDWeek 2015; iDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2015)
- "The impact of stewardship on antimicrobial use and resistance rates at a VA medical center." IDWeek 2015; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2015)
- "An outbreak of invasive Group A Streptococcus infections in veterans treated with skin substitute grafts at a podiatry clinic" ID Week 2012; IDSA/SHEA/PIDS/HIVMA (2012)
- "Effect of hypochlorite containing cleaners on occurrence of nosocomial Clostridium difficile infection in acute care patients" 5th Decennial International Conference on Healthcare–Associated Infections; CDC (2010)
- "Failure of the rate of nosocomial MRSA infections to decline with decreasing MRSA transmissions during universal screening" 5th Decennial International Conference on Healthcare–Associated Infections; CDC (2010)
- "Control of Nosocomial Legionellosis: Tailoring the Control Method to the Facility" 4th Decennial International Conference on Nosocomial and Healthcare– Associated Infections; CDC (2000)
- "Epidemiology of Penicillin Resistant Pneumococci (PRP) in Erie County, New York" Eighth Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1998)
- "Tuberculosis (TB) Exposure of Patients and Healthcare Workers (HCW) by an Infected Healthcare Worker" Eighth Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1998)
- "Value of Pre-Operative Screening for Staphylococci and Use of Broad – spectrum Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Open Heart Surgery Patients in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center" Eighth Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1998)
- "“Benchmarking” Nosocomial Infection (NI) Incidence Density Rates against the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS) Using Statistical Process Control (SPC) Charts" Seventh Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1997)
- "A Pilot Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Program at a University Student Health Center" Sixth Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1996)
- "Follow – up Evaluation of a Voluntary Antibiotic Streamlining Program: Apparent Educational Effect and Cost Savings" Sixth Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1996)
- "Surveillance for Surgical Site Infections in Ambulatory Surgery Patients" Fifth Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1995)
- "Evaluation of a Voluntary Antibiotic Streamlining (SL) Program Using Statistical Process Control (SPC) Charts" Infectious Diseases Society of America 32nd Annual Meeting; IDSA (1994)
- "Genomic DNA Analysis of Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 3 (Lp3) Strains Associated with Nosocomial Pneumonia (NP) Using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE)" Infectious Diseases Society of America 32nd Annual Meeting; IDSA (1994)
- "Reduced costs and length of stay with decreased surgical wound infection rates following coronary artery bypass graft surgery" Third Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1993)
- "Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus adds to the number of S. aureus nosocomial infections" Second Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1992)
- "Nosocomial Legionella pneumophila pneumonia in a hospital with an instantaneous hot water heater" 4th International Symposium on Legionella; American Society for Microbiology (1992)
- "Utility of number of comorbidities and APACHE II scores in assessing outcome and risk of nosocomial infections in medical intensive care unit patients" Second Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1992)
- "Xanthomonas maltophilia: Risk factors for acquisition in medical intensive care unit patients" Second Annual Meeting of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America; SHEA (1992)
- "Needlestick surveillance after institution of body substance isolation" 3rd Decennial International Conference on Nosocomial Infections; CDC (1990)
- "Risk factors for deep wound infections following open heart surgery" 3rd Decennial International Conference on Nosocomial Infections; CDC (1990)
- "Spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a university hospital system" 3rd Decennial International Conference on Nosocomial Infections; CDC (1990)
Service Activities:
- Open Forum Infectious Diseases (IDSA); Editorial Board Member (2024–present)
- Ad Hoc Committee on Promotions to Clinical Ranks (2019–2022)
- Open Forum Infectious Diseases (IDSA); Reviewer (2018–present)
- Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Journal Club Committee; Reviewer (2017–present)
- American Journal of Infection Control; Reviewer (2014–present)
- Research & Development Committee, VAWNYHS; Chair (2013–2024)
- Faculty Council President Elect (2011-12); President (2012–2013)
- NYACP, Buffalo District; Councilor (2012–2015)
- Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Conflict of Interest Review Committee; Member (2011–2013)
- Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, CME Committee/Subcommittee; Member (2009–2013)
- NYACP, Buffalo District; President (2009–2012)
- Faculty Council, Standing Committee on Admission Policy; Chair (2008–2014)
- Faculty Council; Secretary (2008–2010)
- Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology (SHEA); Editorial Board Member (2007–present)
- Pandemic Influenza Plan Workgroup (UB); Member (2006–present)
- Faculty Council, Steering Committee; Member (2005–2010)
- Faculty Council; Member (2004–2008)
- Medication Use Committee (P&T), VAWNYHS; Member (2003–2024)
- SARS Task Force (UB); Member (2003–2004)
- Antibiotic Subcommittee, Kaleida Health; Chair (2003–present)
- Tissue Subcommittee, UNYTS; Member (2000–present)
- Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Publications Committee; Chair (1996–2002)
- Infection Control Committee, VAWNYHS; Chair (1995–2024)
- Antibiotic Subcommittee, Kaleida Health (BGH 1994-8); Member (1994–2003)
- Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Nominations Committee; Chair (1994)
- Infection Control Committee, Kaleida Health (BGH 1989-98); Chair (1989–present)
- JAMA; Reviewer
- Annals of Internal Medicine (ACP); Reviewer
- Clinical Infectious Diseases (IDSA); Reviewer
- Emerging Infectious Diseases (CDC); Reviewer