Alison M. Vargovich
PhD
Professional Summary:
As an assistant professor and licensed psychologist in the Department of Medicine, Division of Behavioral Medicine at the University at Buffalo, my work involves a combination of patient care, research, and outreach and education. I am a fellowship trained health psychologist specializing in chronic pain, my patient care focuses on utilizing psychosocial interventions to help patients better manage pain and improve their quality of life. Through this treatment, patients learn a variety of skills and tools to approach managing pain from a biopsychosocial perspective. While many of the skills and tools are similar across patients, each is applied in an individualized manner to help patients achieve their treatment goals.
Another facet of my work involves research to better understand the biobehavioral development and treatment of chronic pain. My research explores psychosocial factors associated with chronic pain and opioid risk, how to effectively educate medical students on chronic pain and physician-patient communication skills, and the efficacy of a community-based chronic pain self-management program. These topics allow me to generate a deeper understanding of chronic pain, while also improving patient care and guiding emerging providers in making pain management decisions for their patients.
Lastly, it is important to me to disseminate research through education and outreach. As such, I work within the community to assist healthcare professionals in better understanding and treating the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain and other conditions. Additionally, I am passionate about improving medical education on the biopsychosocial treatment of chronic pain, and have developed curriculum to address this need. I have presented at regional, national, and international conferences on the topics of chronic pain and overlapping opioid use/abuse, and will continue to work toward providing affordable and accessible evidence-based treatment for patients with chronic pain.
Specialties:
Behavioral Medicine
Patients Treated:
Adolescents, Adults, Seniors/Elderly
Physician Gender:
Female
Appointments:
UBMD at Erie County Medical Center
Behavioral Medicine Clinic
462 Grider Street
First Floor D.K.Miller Building -
Buffalo, New York 14215
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Phone: 716-898-5671
Fax: 716-898-3040
Contact: allison joyce
Insurance Accepted:
Behavioral Medicine Clinic
462 Grider Street
First Floor D.K.Miller Building -
Buffalo, New York 14215
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Phone: 716-898-5671
Fax: 716-898-3040
Contact: allison joyce
Accepting new patients
Insurance Accepted:
- Aetna U.S. Healthcare
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of WNY Inc
- Empire
- GHI
- Independent Health Association (HMO)
- MVP Healthcare
- Magnacare
- Medicare
- Nofault
- Nova
- Railroad Medicare
- United Healthcare
- Veterans Administration
- WellCare
- Workers Comp
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program, Cleveland Clinic; Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (2015)
- Internship, Medical/Health Psychology Division, University of Florida at Gainesville/Shands Hospital (2014)
- PhD, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University (2014)
- MS, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University (2011)
- BA, Psychology, Canisius College, Summa Cum Laude (2009)
- BA, Psychology, Canisius College
- Fellowship, Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program, Cleveland Clinic; Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program
- MS, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University
- PhD, Clinical Psychology with Specialization in Health Psychology, West Virginia University
- Medical/Health Psychology Division, University of Florida at Gainesville/Shands Hospital
Awards and Honors:
- Teaching Scholars Faculty Development Program (2016)
- Academic Affairs Student Travel Awards (3) (2010)
- Department of Psychology Student Travel Awards (3) (2010)
- Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Student Travel Awards (3) (2010)
- Psychology Student Research Fund (2010)
- Donald L. Tollefson Annual Psychology Award, (2009)
- Outstanding Psychology Student Award (2009)
- Higher Education Research Fund (HERF) Award for Outstanding Applicant (2009)
- Canisius Earning Excellence Program (CEEP) Grant (2008)
- Alpha Sigma Nu National Honor Society of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (2008)
- Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology (2007)
- Rothfuss Scholarship Merit Award (2006)
- Mary R. Koessler Scholarship, Merit Award (2005)
- Community Foundation Scholarship, Merit Award (2005)
- Dean’s Academic Scholarship, Merit Award (2005)
Research Profile:
This UBMD physician is also a member of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, teaching the next generation of doctors and researching to advance care in WNY and beyond. Learn more about this physician's research and teaching activities, as well as view credentials, publications, professional involvement and more below.