GBUIPA
The Greater Buffalo United Independent Physicians Association (GBUIPA) is a business entity organized and owned by a network of independent physician practices for the purpose of reducing overhead or pursuing business ventures such as contracts with employers, accountable care organizations (ACO) and/or managed care organizations (MCOs). The GBUIPA holds substantial opportunities for innovation in delivery system modeling and benefit design in the creation of physician networks. Specifically, the creation of practice networks involving patient-centered medical home (PCMH) practices that are important and necessary changes in health care delivery.
Our Values
At the GBUIPA, we believe:
- IPAs should organize a health care delivery system which produces optimal health outcomes for patients.
- IPAs should promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of health care to patients that produces value. The financial benefits that result from this improved care efficiency and effectiveness should go to those who provided the improved care.
- Family physicians should utilize their unique skills and expertise in care management, in management of the interface between specialists and hospitals, and in their focus on preventive health to create value.
- Effective management of relationships between primary care physicians, limited specialists, and hospitals is critical to the optimal care of patients, to the success of an IPA, and to the satisfaction of physician participants.
- An IPA must be able to demonstrate their incremental value to obtain contracts with health plans and other payers for covered lives.
- Network physicians must have clinical autonomy and assume clinical accountability to optimize an IPAs value.
- The unique partnership embodied in the doctor/patient relationship must be preserved.
- Physician equity in IPAs is a critical issue for maintenance of desired degrees of control and autonomy and must be carefully considered by IPA physician participants. These principles may be valuable for physician education and for incorporation into IPA vision and mission statements.
Performance and Recognition
Urban Family Practice – Jefferson has been recognized by NCQA on Achievement of Recognition for Systematic Use of Patient-Centered, Coordinated Care Management Processes.
Dr. Raul Vazquez is a primary care physician who opened Urban Family Practice on Buffalo’s Lower West Side in 1996. In 2016, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced that Urban Family Practice of Buffalo had received level three NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). Level three is the highest degree of recognition available.
Recognizing the need for coordinated, person-centered care for Medicaid recipients with multiple chronic medical conditions, he formed the Greater Buffalo United Accountable Healthcare Network (GBUAHN). The New York State Department of Health approved the designation of GBUAHN as a provider-lead Medicaid health home in 2012.
As president of GBUAHN, Dr. Vazquez leads a team of dedicated professionals in the medical and business fields. He has set the strategy and direction for the fast-track growth of GBUAHN. Under his guidance, GBUAHN has grown to serve several thousand members and employs a staff of approximately 150 individuals. GBUAHN is one of the largest minority employers in Western New York.
In June 2009, Dr. Vazquez was nominated by Governor David Paterson, and approved by the New York State Senate, to serve as a member of the New York State Medicaid Advisory Committee. In June 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Senate approved Dr. Vazquez to serve on the Minority Health Council.
He has won more than 20 awards for his accomplishments in business, the medical field and advocacy groups. Dr. Vazquez has served boards for numerous organizations, including: Upstate New York Transplant Services, HEALTHeLINK and WNED-TV.
Dr. Vazquez received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Dr. Kenneth Lee Gayles is a cardiovascular specialist who treats over 6,000 cardiac care patients annually. He is the owner of Gayles Medical practice. Dr. Gayles is board certified in cardiovascular diseases and internal medicine and brings to GBUAHN over four decades of experience diagnosing and treating congenital heart defects, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and other heart problems. He was the first African-American invasive cardiologist in Western New York.
As senior vice president of GBUAHN, Dr. Gayles’ mission is to deliver a comprehensive health care system targeting the underserved community in Western New York. His goal for GBUAHN is the elimination of disparity in health care delivery and outcomes in the Western New York community.
Dr. Gayles served as chairman of the board of Sheehan Memorial Hospital from 1990 -1991 and served as medical director until 1995. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology and his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at SUNY Buffalo.
Dr. Gayles has served as treasurer of the National Association of Black Cardiologists, and as vice president of the National Medical Association – Buffalo Chapter. His other community affiliations include the Buffalo Philharmonic Board of Directors and the Buffalo PREP Board of Directors. He is a trustee for the First Shiloh Baptist Church and has served as chief of medicine at Deaconess Hospital. He is also member of the Board of Trustees of the UB Foundation.
Dr. Kenton Forte has been practicing internal medicine at the Heart Beat Center of WNY for well over 20 years. He also specializes in cardiovascular disease. His hospital affiliations are Buffalo General Hospital and ECMC.
In addition to practicing medicine at the Heartbeat Center of WNY, Dr. Forte has been an assistant clinical professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo for more than two decades.
Dr. Forte is a member of eleven professional societies, including the American Heart Association, American Society of Internal Medicine, and the Erie County Medical Society. He has written four publications for various academic journal and presented at numerous symposiums and conventions on his expertise in cardiology.
Dr. Forte completed his residency and fellowship in internal medicine and cardiology at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Dr. George Haddad is N.Y. State licensed and board certified in internal medicine. He has been in private practice since 1994. He is affiliated with Kenmore Mercy Hospital and Catholic Medical Partners.
Dr. Haddad previously had affiliations with Sheehan Hospital and Coastal Emergency Room Services.
Dr. Haddad attended the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, where he graduated with honorable distinction.
Dr. Winston Douglas is certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Dr. Douglas is well-versed in the health problems of aging populations with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart conditions and pulmonary diseases.
As treasurer of GBUAHN, Dr. Douglas develops strategies regarding short and long term financial vitality.
Dr. Douglas served as medical director of Waterfront Nursing Home. He is the former chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee at Sheehan Health Services, and the former medical director of N.Y. State’s Orleans Correctional facility. Dr. Douglas is a member of the National Medical Association – Buffalo Chapter and he is the current medical director at Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services.
Dr. Douglas received his medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine.
Dr. Dwight Lewis is an internal medicine specialist with a subspecialty in sepsis blood poisoning. He opened his medical practice, Main Primary Care, in 1994 in Buffalo’s University District. Dr. Lewis is an advocate of screenings, wellness check-ups, vaccinations and healthy living in order to prevent disease and help his patients stay well.
As secretary of GBUAHN, Dr. Lewis manages the records and administrative functions of the GBUAHN Board of Directors.
Dr. Lewis graduated in 1991 from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He is admitted to Sisters of Charity Hospital and Kaleida Health – Buffalo General.
Dr. Lewis is a member of the National Medical Association (NMA).
Dr. Jesslyn Perry has been a physician since 1995. After working at Sheehan Hospital as an internist from 1999 -2001, she opened Ella Perry, M.D., located at 191 North Street in Buffalo, N.Y. She named her practice after her mother.
Dr. Perry specializes in family and internal medicine. She is affiliated with Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and Buffalo General Hospital. She is board certified in Internal medicine. Dr. Perry is a member of the National Medical Association (NMA).
Dr. Perry is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.