Primary Care / Internal Medicine
Doctors of internal medicine focus on adult medicine and have had special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases. These primary care providers are trained to solve challenging diagnostic problems and provide comprehensive care to patients with simple to complex health issues. We also guide patients toward an understanding of what it means to be well, educating them on issues such as disease prevention, substance abuse, and more.
Find a primary care / internal medicine provider now.
To learn more about research and academics in Primary Care / Internal Medicine, click here.
Conditions We Treat
Primary care / internal medicine providers at the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University offer comprehensive medical care. This includes treating a wide range of common acute and chronic medical problems, such as:
- Allergies
- Chronic disease management (arthritis; diabetes; high blood pressure; heart disease; etc.)
- Ear ache
- Eye infections
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Hormone imbalance
- Lung disease
- Mental health issues
- Rashes
- Respiratory infections
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Sleep disturbances
- Sprains and strains
- Stomach ache
- Substance abuse
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Weight management
- Women’s health issues
- Wound care
Our providers are concerned with your overall health and wellness. We not only treat immediate health concerns, but we also focus on preventive care. This includes providing appropriate screenings, vaccinations, physical exams, as well as patient education.
The goal of primary care / internal medicine is to be your primary care provider through the various stages of your adult life.
Our Primary Care Internists Do It All
Our primary care / internal medicine providers not only diagnose and treat adults for a wide range of medical issues — they also help to educate medical students and residents, participate in research projects and quality improvement initiatives, and engage in efforts to provide care and education to the communities we serve.
What Else You Need to Know
Primary care / internal medicine care is provided by Department of Medicine providers at the following locations:
Division of Primary Care / Internal Medicine
University Internists at Nappi Wellness Institute
Phone: (315) 464-6527
Adult Medicine at Nappi Wellness Institute
Phone: (315) 464-5240
University Internists East
Phone: (315) 627-0448
Fax: (315) 627-0554
University Internists at The Hill
Phone: (315) 471-8388
Fax: (315) 471-8019
New patients should expect to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour during an office visit. This includes preparation, physician time, and discharge time. Subsequent visits will usually take less time, depending on whether you are scheduled for a diagnostic test on the same day as your office visit.
You will receive a reminder call prior to your appointment date.
All new patients are required to bring the following with them to their initial visit:
- Insurance card
- Available medical records
- List of current medications being taken
To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call your doctor’s office directly. Please provide 24 hours’ notice so that we may provide another patient your appointment time.
Prescription renewals for established patients may be requested by calling the office during regular office hours.
Before the prescription request can be reviewed, you will be required to clearly state:
- Your first and last name, date of birth, and daytime phone number
- Prescribing physician’s name
- Name of the medication and whether you are currently out of the medication
- Strength
- Dose
- Mailing address if the prescription is for a narcotic. Do you plan to pick up the prescription? If not, allow 24 hours for refill.
- Pharmacy name
- Pharmacy phone number
Patients may be required to schedule a follow-up appointment in order to continue receiving good medical care between prescription renewals.
Billing representatives are available to assist patients with proper submission of their bill to their insurance carrier. Patients are also encouraged to make sure that all necessary pre-authorizations are established prior to receiving care and are expected to bring documentation of preauthorization to their appointments.
Payment plans are available to patients without insurance who need medical care.
Patients are expected to:
- Show their insurance identification card at each visit
- Make necessary co-payments
- Pay on remaining balances
The clinical pharmacology division at Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University was formed in 1999 to conduct research that explores the optimal restorative use of a wide range of medications. The aim of this research is to collect data on innovative methods to amplify a drug’s effects while minimizing any side effects.
We are also committed to securing the funding needed to conduct this postdoctoral research in clinical pharmacology. We do this by regularly obtaining extramural funds – federal and nonfederal grants – that includes U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and equivalent funding.
Inpatient Consult Service
Palliative Care provides an inpatient consult service consisting of a team of physicians, advanced practice nurses, social work, and spiritual care available to collaborate with the hospital care team.
Services include:
- Helping you and your family understand what is going on with your illness, what you can expect and what choices you have.
- Help manage difficult symptoms.
- Communicate with your doctors so they know what you would like them to do for you.
To learn more about Palliative Care’s Inpatient Consult Service, click here.
Adult Outpatient Palliative Care Consult Service at the Cancer Center
Services are provided by a team of physicians, advanced practice nurses (APNs), social work, and spiritual care to patients who are established at the Cancer Center.
Services include:
- Assessment of patient/family understanding of disease and prognosis.
- Advance care planning.
- Symptom management.
- Care coordination.
To learn more about Adult Outpatient Palliative Care Consult Services, click here.
We are dedicated to providing our patients with the best care. This includes providing comprehensive resources centered around their needs.
Our Specialty Clinics include:
To schedule an appointment, please call your primary care / internal medicine provider directly. You can also contact the Department of Medicine at SUNY: Upstate Medical University at DeptMedicine@upstate.edu to find out more.
