Andrew B. Symons MD, MS

Andrew Symons

Andrew B. Symons
MD, MS

Clinical Professor; Vice Chair for Medical Student Education, Department of Family Medicine

Department of Family Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Specialty/Research Focus

Cancer Screening; Family Medicine; Health Services Research; Health Services Research; Medical Education Research; Primary Care; Program Evaluation; Workforce Development

Contact Information
UBMD Primary Care at Sheridan
2465 Sheridan Drive
Tonawanda, New York 14150
Phone: (716) 835-9800
Fax: (716) 835-9876
symons@buffalo.edu
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Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD

Overview Research Publications Activities Latest News

Professional Summary:

I am a family physician at UBMD Family Medicine where I provide comprehensive care for children and adults. Health maintenance is a cornerstone of my practice, i.e., assuring that patients receive preventive services such as immunizations, Pap smears, mammograms and colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer. I manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, emphysema, depression and addiction, and I treat acute conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, respiratory infections and skin conditions. I perform office procedures, including skin biopsies and therapeutic joint injections. I also provide prenatal care and deliver babies. At Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, together with a team of resident physicians, I care for adult patients who require hospitalization. I maintain excellent relationships with subspecialists and can coordinate consultation with them when my patients need specialized care.

My research is focused on medical education, particularly as it relates to determinants of student choice to pursue careers in primary care.

I serve as the vice chair for medical student education in the Department of Family Medicine and have a special interest in teaching students about the central role of family medicine in providing high quality, cost-effective health care. I direct the first-year clinical skills course in the medical school and routinely lecture in that course on the fundamentals of performing a patient interview and physical exam.

I am also the family medicine clerkship director. As such, I lead small group discussions on preventive screening, the patient-centered medical home and continuity of care in the primary care setting. I developed an innovative program using standardized patients to simulate a six-month continuity relationship with students rotating through the family medicine clerkship. During simulated visits, students address their patients’ chronic medical concerns (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), acute concerns (e.g., knee injury, chest pain) and lifestyle issues (e.g., smoking cessation, diet, exercise). The simulation allows students to experience the challenges and rewards of developing a continuity relationship with patients. I also developed and implemented a curriculum to teach students to care for patients with disabilities. In addition, medical students participating in their family medicine clerkship and clinical skills course accompany me as I see patients, in order to deepen their understanding of patient care.

I also supervise residents at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. Teaching students and residents keeps me sharp: it informs my practice of medicine, while my practice of medicine assures that I remain relevant as a teacher.

Education and Training:
  • Residency, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2005)
  • MD, Medicine, University at Buffalo, Cum Laude (2002)
  • MA, Biology, City University of New York (1998)
  • MS, Environmental Studies, Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus (1994)
  • BA, Political Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1987)

Employment:
  • Clinical Professor, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2020-present)
  • Medical Director of Outpatient Chemical Dependency Programs, Horizon Health Services (2014-present)
  • Vice Chair for Medical Student Education, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2006-present)
  • Consulting Physician, Horizon Health Services Addiction Medicine (2005-present)
  • Primary Care Physician, UBMD Primary Care (2006-present)
  • Clinical Associate Professor, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2013–2020)
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2006–2013)
  • Interim Medical Director of UBMD Family Medicine at Sheridan, UBMD Family Medicine (2010–2011)
  • Family Physician, Orchard Park Family Practice (2005–2006)
  • Chief Resident, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2004–2005)
  • Adjunct Faculty, Biology, Touro College (1994–1998)
  • Teacher of General Biology and Marine Biology, High School for Environmental Studies (1994–1998)
See all (2 more)

Awards and Honors:
  • Top Doctors in Western New York (2024)
  • Top Doctors in Western New York (2023)
  • Health Care 50 (2019)
  • Fellow (2019)
  • Gold Humanism Honor Society (2018)
  • Family Doctor of the Year (2013)
  • Salute to Authors (2012)
  • Health Care 50 (2009)
  • Chairman's Award for Research (2005)
  • Thesis Honors (2002)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha (2002)
  • President's Award (2002)
  • Sigma Xi Honor Society (1994)

Research Expertise:
  • Cancer Screening
  • Disabilities
  • Health Services Research
  • Medical Education
  • Medical Student Education
  • Program Evaluation
  • Residency/Fellowship Education
  • Workforce Development

Grants and Sponsored Research:
  • January 2023–December 2028
    Residency Training in Mental and Behavioral Health (PCTE-RTMB)
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $2,500,000
  • July 2021–July 2026
    Community Prevention and Maternal Health Development Award
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $2,800,000
  • July 2017–June 2022
    Interprofessional Advanced Primary Care Training Program/Medication Assisted Treatment Education for Opioid Addiction
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,800,000
  • July 2016–June 2022
    The Buffalo Interprofessional Advanced Primary Care Training Program
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $577,971
  • January 2018–June 2021
    Ambulatory Care Training Program
    Doctors Across New York (DANY)
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $595,743
  • May 2019–June 2020
    Educational Program Advancing Training in Interprofessional Networked Treatment
    SUNY
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $54,950
  • September 2011–September 2016
    Pre-Doctoral Training in Primary Care
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $947,160
  • January 2014–December 2015
    Information resources for evidence-based interprofessional health care decisions: Developing, testing and evaluating library-based innovative technology enhanced team instruction methods
    SUNY
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $20,000
  • July 2011–July 2012
    Graduate Medical Education Quality Improvement Award
    University at Buffalo Office of Graduate Medical Education
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    $3,000
  • July 2008–June 2011
    Pre-doctoral Training Program in Disabilities: A Model for Professionalism
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $707,400
  • October 2008–March 2010
    Colorectal Cancer Professional Education Project: An Independent Evaluation
    American Cancer Society
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $142,989
  • July 2003–July 2004
    Consumption of Locally Caught fish in an Urban Family Medicine Practice
    University at Buffalo Office of Graduate Medical Education
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $2,000
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Journal Articles:

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Books and Book Chapters:

  • Symons AB, Seller RH. (2017) Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints, 7th Edition. Elsevier.
  • Symons A, Mahoney M. (2015) Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia. In: Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Family Medicine, 4th Edition. McGraw Hill, 20-27.

Professional Memberships:
  • Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education (2015–present)
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine (2015–present)
  • Divers Alert Network (2006–present)
  • Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2005–present)
  • American Academy of Family Physicians (2002–present)

Presentations:
  • "Primary Care Procedures: Colonoscopy." Winter Weekend, New York State Academy of Family Physicians (2021)
  • "Primary Care Procedures: Colonoscopy." Winter Weekend, New York State Academy of Family Physicians (2020)
  • "Student Note Writing in the Electronic Medical Record Era: How to Implement, How to Teach." Fall Faculty Development, SUNY Upstate Medical University (2019)
  • "Primary Care Procedures: Colonoscopy." Winter Weekend, New York State Academy of Family Physicians (2019)
  • "Teaching Skills for Community Based Family Physicians." Annual Meeting, Family Medicine Educational Consortium (2018)
  • "Standardized patients in training interprofessional students to care for refugee populations." National Conference on Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2018)
  • "Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction." Opioid Forum (2017)
  • "Teaching about Patients with Disabilities: Leveraging Local Needs and Local Resources." National Conference on Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2017)
  • "Dive Medicine." Winter Weekend, New York State Academy of Family Physicians (2016)
  • "Factors influencing career choice and perceptions of primary care in a public medical school." National Conference on Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2016)
  • "Tips for Effective and Efficient Office Precepting." Scientific Assembly, New York State Academy of Family Physicians (2013)
  • "Evaluation of a Curriculum to Teach Medical Students to Care for Patients with Disabilities." National Conference on Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2012)
  • "Evaluation of a Faculty Development Fellowship." National Conference on Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2012)
  • "Preventive Medicine and Colonoscopy Presentation: Impact on Students Knowledge of Screening Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer." National Conference of Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2012)
  • "Evaluation of a Curriculum on Care for Patients With Disabilities: Effects on Medical Student Attitudes and Comfort Levels." 39th Annual Meeting, North American Primary Care Research Group (2011)
  • "Spirituality in Medicine." Exploring the Dimensions of Health Care in a Religiously Diverse Community, Kaleida Health Bereavement Committee (2011)
  • "Spirituality in Medicine." Grand Rounds, Pinnacle Health System (2011)
  • "Development and implementation of a longitudinal observed structured clinical exercise (L-OSCE) to teach medical students principles of continuity of care." National Conference of Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2011)
  • "Physician Health and Well-Being." 3rd Year Medical Students, University at Buffalo (2010)
  • "Effective Strategies for Precepting Students in the Office Setting." Western New York Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) (2010)
  • "Development and Validation of a Tool for Assessing Medical Students Attitudes Towards People with Disabilities." National Conference on Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2010)
  • "Improving Family Medicine's Coolness Factor." National Conference on Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2010)
  • "Curriculum to Teach Medical Students to Care for Patients with Disabilities." New York State Cerebral Palsy Assosiation (2009)
  • "Curriculum to Teach Medical Students to Care for Patients with Disabilities." Annual Meeting, Association of American Medical Colleges (2009)
  • "A Post-Baccalaureate Program for Educationally and Economically Disadvantaged Applicants to Medical School." National Conference of Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2008)
  • "Consumption of Toxic Fish from the Great Lakes by Patients of a Family Medicine Center in Buffalo, NY." Scholarly Exchange Day, University at Buffalo (2004)
  • "Collaboration between a family medicine summer research internship." National Conference of Medical Student Education, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (2002)
  • "Variation in Approaches to Breast Cancer Screening Among Primary Care Physicians." Research Forum, New York State Academy of Family Physicians (2002)
See all (18 more)

Service Activities:
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians; President (2022)
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians; President-Elect (2021)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Committee on Appointment and Promotion to Academic (Tenurial) Ranks; Member (2021–present)
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians; Vice President (2020)
  • American Academy of Family Physicians; Key Contact to Congressman Brian Higgins (2020–present)
  • Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies: Medical Student Aid Society Scholarship Selection Committee; Member (2020–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Curriculum Advisory Task Force; Member (2020–present)
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians; Speaker of the Congress of Delegates (2019–2020)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Search Committee for Director of Addiction Medicine Research; Member (2019)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Pain and Addiction Curriculum Task Force; Member (2019–present)
  • Center for Handicapped Children; Consulting Physician (2017–present)
  • UBMD Family Medicine: Board of Directors; Member (2017–present)
  • Temple Beth Tzedek: Inclusion Committee for People with Special Needs; Member (2015–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Phase II Committee; Member (2015–present)
  • Alliance for Disability in Healthcare Education: Board of Directors; Member (2015–present)
  • Kaleida Health: Medical Executive Committee; Member (2014–2016)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Curriculum Redesign Task Force; Member (2013–2019)
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians: Board of Directors; Member (2013–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Interprofessional Education Task Force; Member (2013–present)
  • Interprofessional education task force; Member (2012–present)
  • New York State Department of Health Office of Primary Care: Doctors Across NY Advisory Committee; Member (2012–2014)
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians: Erie County; Secretary/Treasurer (2012–present)
  • Independent Health sub-committe on Primary Care recruitment recruitment and retaintion of primary care physicians in Western New York.; Committee Member (2011–present)
  • Independent Health Association: Subcommittee on Primary Care Recruitment; Member (2011–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Office of Medical Education - Service Learning Student Reflection Committee; Planning Committee Member and Seminar Leader (2011–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: LCME Accreditation Task Force; Member (2010–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Simulation Center Development Task Force; Contributor (2010–2011)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Search Committee for Chief Administrator of Family Medicine; Chair (2009–2010)
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians: Erie County; President (2008–2012)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Graduate Medical Education Committee on Professionalism; Advisory Committee Member (2008–2009)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Curriculum Committee; Member (2007–present)
  • UBMD Family Medicine: Executive Committee; Member (2006–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Phase I Committee; Member (2006–present)
  • UBMD Family Medicine: Primary Care Team Committee; Member (2006–present)
  • New York State Academy of Family Physicians: Erie County; Vice President (2006–2008)
  • Western New York synagogues; Music Teacher (1998–present)
  • UBMD Family Medicine: Endowment Advisory Committee; Member
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Reviewer
  • Disability and Health Journal; Reviewer

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Contact Information

UBMD Primary Care at Sheridan
2465 Sheridan Drive
Tonawanda, New York 14150
Phone: (716) 835-9800
Fax: (716) 835-9876
symons@buffalo.edu
View map

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD
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