Sushama K. Thandla MD, MPH, FAAFP
Sushama K. Thandla
MD, MPH, FAAFP
Clinical Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Biomedical Education; Clinical Research; Family Medicine; Patient Centered Outcomes; Primary Care; Public Health
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:
I provide full-spectrum family medicine services inclusive of pediatrics, and women's health. As a clinician I have practiced holistic care following a biopsychosocial spiritual care model for complex chronic care management incorporating multidisciplinary services. I have previously practiced in the rural setting and also have Indigenous Health experience at Seneca Nation, and currently practicing academic family medicine at Erie County Medical Center Family Health Center since 2022.
I also have a strong interest in teaching medical students and residents, focusing on the basic clinical skills and applying evidence-based medicine through shared decision making in the outpatient setting.
I also support in teaching the population health curriculum for the UB Family Medicine residents.
I completed a research project for 'Advancing Spirituality in Healthcare' at my primary clinical practice which is at Erie County Medical Center family Health Center (Sept 2023- January 2025), through a grant supported by John Templeton Foundation and George Washington University
Education and Training:
- MPH, Master of Public Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University (2023)
- Certificate, Public Health Certificate in American Indian Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health Johns Hopkins University (2021)
- Certificate, Project TEACH, New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) (2020)
- Certificate, Master Educator Program, Royal College of Physicians/University at Buffalo (2011)
- Residency, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo ECMC Family Medicine Program (1998)
- Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (1993)
- MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (1992)
- Internship, Compulsory Rotating Internship, District Hospital (1989)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (1988)
Employment:
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2022-present)
- Core faculty, Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2022-present)
- GLIN IPA Clinical Quality Committee (2022-present)
- Primary Care Physician, UBMD Primary Care/ECMC Family Health Center (2022-present)
- Physician Leader Population Health, ECMC Family Health Center (2022–2024)
- Family Physician, Lionel R. John Health Center Seneca Nation Health System (2012–2021)
- Faculty Family Physician, Universal Primary Care Cuba ,NY (2006–2011)
- Family Physician, Cuba Memorial Hospital Family Health Center (2004–2006)
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University New York at Buffalo (1999–2004)
- Faculty Family Physician, University Primary Care Cuba , NY (1999–2004)
Awards and Honors:
- Excellence in Precepting ECMC Family Medicine (2025)
- New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP) Poster at Annual Winter Weekend Conference 2025 second place (2025)
- PGY-III Resident Excellence Award (1998)
- PGY-II Outstanding Service Award (1997)
- Best Outgoing Medical Student During MBBS (1988)
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- January 2023–January 2025
Advancing Spiritual Care: Spiritual Health in Everyday Clinical Practice
John Templeton Foundation
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$100,000
Journal Articles:
- Sushama Thandla, MD, MPH; Anna Jacquinot, MD and Michael Owitz, MD. (2023) Emergency Contraception – Who, When, and How for the Family Physician. Family Doctor (Jul), One(12)
- By Sushama Thandla, MD, MPH, FAAF; Heather Link, MD, MPH and Katherine Wilkie, BMBS. (2025) Collaborative Care Model for Management of Fetal Trisomy 18: Lethal Fetal Anomalies in Early Pregnancy with Advanced Maternal Age. Family Doctor, A Journal of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians (Oct), 14(2): 38-40.
- Kotmire S, Garbarino K, Watson M. (1998) Physicians must ask about cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women. J Womens Health (May), 7(4): 465-6. doi:10.1089/jwh.1998.7.465
- Kotmire S, Gupta I, Ganguly NK, Koicha M. (1993) Study of T-lymphocyte subpopulation in HBsAg-positive pregnant women. Acta Virol (Dec), 37(6): 459-65.
Professional Memberships:
- NY State Association for Family Physicians (1999–present)
- American Medical Association (1998–2000)
- American Association of Family Physicians (1995–present)
Presentations:
- "Spiritual Care Collaboration for Advance Care Planning" at The Fall Seminar Series, Being with Dying: Navigating the End of Life with Grace and Dignity, Olean Medication Center (2025)
- "Multi-Disciplinary Diabetes Care in Indigenous Populations" for Indigenous Health and History Lecture Series 2024-25, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (2025)
- "Spiritual Health Initiative: Integrating Spiritual Assessment into the Patient Centered Primary Care Model." Primary Care Research Forum, University at Buffalo Department of Family Medicine (2014)
- "Comparison of Spiritual Assessment Scales for Application in Clinical Practice." 42nd Annual Meeting, North American Primary Care Research Group (2014)
- "Spirituality Health Assessment - Developing a Curriculum for Resident Education in Primary Care." Primary Care Research Forum, University at Buffalo Department of Family Medicine (2011)
- "Comparison of Spiritual Assessment Scales for Application in Clinical Practice." 14th Annual GME Scholarly Exchange Day, University at Buffalo (2011)
- "Cardiovascular risk profile and the potential for reduction of coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women." Family Medicine Research Forum, Bristol-Myers Squibb (1996)
Service Activities:
- Family medicine Interest group; Family Medicine role model (2022–2025)