Joan M. Sulewski MD
Joan M. Sulewski
MD
Associate Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Adolescent Medicine - Gynecology; Ambulatory Care; Amenorrhea; Infertility; Metabolic Syndrome; Military & Veterans Health/Healthcare; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Reproductive Endocrinology; Surgery - Laparoscopic; Women’s Health
Professional Summary:
My expertise and special interest are Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility within the broader area of Women’s Health. In these areas I have done my teaching, research and administrative work.
• One of my earlier studies on laparoscopic surgical treatment for infertile women heralded in the new age of minimally invasive surgery.
• I surgically treated a series of individuals with disorders of sexual development and with the University Department of Media Studies I created an educational video on vaginoplasty.
• The University and the Veterans Hospital of Buffalo identified a need to create a Women’s Health Care Program within the VA, where more than 97% of patients were male. I was given this challenge, completed it, and received a Letter of Commendation from the VA.
The VAs of Buffalo, Batavia, and Rochester, NY saw the numbers of women grow with the Program from a few hundred to several thousand. New women’s clinic facilities were built in Batavia and Rochester and the “Helen Jacob Women’s Wellness Center” in Buffalo. I organized a series of comprehensive health fairs, and worked with service and women’s organizations and military units to promote the Program. The VA hospital provided state of the art equipment, medication and laboratory tests on site for comprehensive evaluation and treatment of women, except for obstetrical services.
The Program became a model for the VA. I organized a series of educational conferences about the Program for the VA and testified about women’s health before the congressional subcommittee on Veterans Affairs.
Education and Training:
- Residency, Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and University (1974)
- Internship, Medicine/Surgery, Kings County Hospital, State University of New York (1969)
- MD, Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (1968)
- BS, Honors Chemistry Honors Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh (1964)
Employment:
- Associate Professor, University at Buffalo (1980-present)
- Chief, Surgery, Veteran Affairs Western New York Health Care Systems (1987–2009)
- Medical Director, Family Planning, The Buffalo General Hospital (1981–1989)
- Chief, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department Gynecology and Obstetrics, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biological Sciences (1980–1986)
- Acting Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Buffalo General-Deaconess Hospital (1982–1985)
- Clinical Chief, Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Deaconess Hospital (1981–1985)
- Clinical Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Buffalo General Hospital (1980–1985)
- Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Gynecology and Obstetrics/Pediatrics, Buffalo Children's Hospital (1980–1985)
- Chief, Division of Endocrinology and Infertility, Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of Pennsylvania State University (1977–1980)
- Assistant Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology/Division of Endocrinology and Infertility, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of Pennsylvania State University (1975–1980)
- Chief Resident, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Hospital (1973–1974)
Awards and Honors:
- Recognition Service Award -40 years (2022)
- Service Award -40 years (2021)
- Health Care Advocacy (1996)
- Health Care Award (1996)
- Leadership Buffalo '95 (1995)
- Buffalo Ambassador (1994)
- Membership (Associate) - granted in the Women's Overseas Service League (1993)
- Distinguished Service Award (1993)
- Commencement Speaker (1993)
- Citizen of the Year Award in Medicine (1993)
- Susan B. Anthony Award (1993)
- Excellence Award (1991)
- Joan Sulewski Day-University Woman of the Day (1990)
- Woman of the Year Award (1990)
- Joan Sulewski Day (1990)
- Distinguished Achievement Award (1990)
- Faculty Appreciation Award (1980)
Journal Articles:
- Tanabe K, Gagliano P, Channing CP, Nakamura Y, Yoshimura Y, Iizuka R, Fortuny A, Sulewski J, Rezai N. (1983) Levels of inhibin-F activity and steroids in human follicular fluid from normal women and women with polycystic ovarian disease. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (Jul), 57(1): 24-31.
- Vladutiu AO, Sulewski JM, Pudlak KA, Stull CG. (1982) Heterophilic antibodies interfering with radioimmunoassay. A false-positive pregnancy test. JAMA (Nov), 248(19): 2489-2490.
- Sulewski JM, Ward SP, McGaffic W. (1980) Endometrial biopsy during a cycle of conception. Fertil Steril (Dec), 34(6): 548-551.
- Sulewski JM, Curcio FD, Bronitsky C, Stenger VG. (1980) The treatment of endometriosis at laparoscopy for infertility. Am J Obstet Gynecol (Sep), 138(2): 128-132.
- Sulewski JM, Ward S, Ladda RL. (1980) Gonadal dysgenesis in a 46,XY female mosaic for double autosomal trisomies 8 and 21. J Med Genet (Aug), 17(4): 321-323.
- Sulewski JM, Dang TP, Ferguson KA, Ward SP, Ladda RL. (1980) Chromosomal abnormalities associated with infertility. Obstet Gynecol (Apr), 55(4): 469-475.
Professional Memberships:
- New York State Teachers Retirement System; Elected Delegate To elect a teacher member to the New York State Teachers Retirement System Board and to serve as liaison between the Retirement System and fellow members at the State University of New York at Buffalo (2021–present)
- United University Professions; Union representing University Academic and Professional Staff of the State University of New York Served as President at Buffalo Health Sciences Chapter (1987-2001), Served on Committee to Establish Clinical Practice Plan. (1981–present)
- American Federation of Teachers (1981–present)
- The Endocrine Society; A global community of physicians and scientists dedicated to advancing scientific breakthroughs in endocrinology and improving patient health. Until recently, nomination for membership was required. Served on the Nominating Committee, Program Review Committee and Women's Caucus (1978–present)
- Fellow-American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.; The organization is dedicated to advancing high quality and safe health care for women. It is the authority for women's health information for patients, health care professionals, organizations, and government. Fellows are board certified obstetrician-gynecologists whose professional activities are devoted to the practice of obstetrics and gynecology, who possess unrestricted licenses to practice medicine, and who have attained high ethical and professional standing. (1976–present)
Service Activities:
- ; Judge/ reviewer (2022)
- Reviewed abstracts of the Medical Student Annual Research Forum. Judged the assigned 2 student entries.; Judge (2022)
- Reviewed and submitted evaluation on candidates; Evaluate Finalist Candidates for Vice President of Health Sciences and Dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at State University of New York at Buffalo (2021)
- Invited by Dr. Adam Brown, Principal Investigator for Study of Pregnancy and Prenatal Development, at St. Bonaventure University to review "The Iodine Puzzle"; Review and comment (2021)
- Attend monthly Department meetings. Contribute topics such as awards or recognition faculty received from community organizations, clinical practice retirement plan issues or similar general topics either academic or clinical practice related.; Faculty member (2021–present)
- Monitor for Medical School Class Shelf Examination during Covid 19 pandemic; Proctor (2020)
- As a graduate of Leadership Buffalo 1995, and continuing member of the Program, I am regularly informed of and participate in activities, events and goals of the community organization composed of leaders in a wide array of businesses and professions . The Western New York Veterans Administration sponsored my original membership in 1995.; Leadership Buffalo member (1995–present)
- As a former member of the Board of the Buffalo Foundation (1994-1999), now the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, I attend conferences and receive updates on progress in meeting the needs of the Community. Mayor James Griffin made my appointment to the Board with approval by Buffalo Common Council. I served as Chair of the Grant Making Committee and member of the Finance Committee.; Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo participant. (1994–present)