The Daily Dose
The Capital Region’s Top Doctors for 2019
Choosing the right primary care doctor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. That’s why CDPHP is providing you with powerful data showing which practices have risen to the top.
For the third straight year, CDPHP Top Doctors recognizes the Capital Region’s top-performing primary care practices – physicians who have taken high-quality care and patient satisfaction to new heights.
New this year, CDPHP celebrates your favorite health care professionals with the Top Doctors People’s Choice Awards.
The CDPHP Top Doctors Awards honor local physicians who have proven they can provide better, more cost-effective care. We hope this report arms you with the information you need to make the most informed decisions about your care.
People’s Choice Awards
2019 People’s Choice Award Winners
People’s Choice Award Winner – Primary Care Provider
Dr. Theodore Zeltner, MD, MBA Chief Medical Officer
Please join us in celebrating the following medical professionals, who were nominated by patients and peers in the following people’s choice awards categories.
| Top Primary Care Provider | Dr. Theodore Zeltner, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer | Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center |
| Top Pediatrician | Mark Osborn, MD | St. Peter’s Health Center for Children |
| Top Advanced Practitioner | Karen McGarry, PA-C | Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland |
| Top Clinical Support Staff | Joanna Romeo, Medical Assistant | Community Care Physicians, PC, Community Care Urology |
| Top Administrative Support Staff | Amanda Conn, Medical Secretary Services Coordinator | Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland |
Top Primary
Care Practices
Presenting the Capital Region’s Top-Performing Primary Care Practices
Top-Performing Primary Care Practice
Dr. Kathleen Catalano, DO CDPHP Enhanced Primary Care Physician
For the second year in a row, a sole practitioner in Johnstown, NY is proving that when it comes to health care, bigger is not always better. Dr. Kathleen Catalano, an independent doctor with just three employees, has again been rated the top-performing primary care doctor in the Capital Region. Dr. Catalano is measured against her peers in the areas of quality, efficiency, and patient satisfaction.
In addition to Dr. Catalano, below is an alphabetical list of practices that have met the health plan’s rigorous standards for better health, better care, and lower costs.
| Amsterdam Family Practice Associates, PC |
| Brunswick Family Practice, PLLC |
| Columbia Internal Medicine and Medical Spa |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Broadway Family Care |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Columbia Memorial Family Care – Hudson |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Coxsackie Medical Care |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Hudson Medical Care |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Jefferson Heights Family Care |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Kinderhook Medical Care |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Prime Medical, Catskill |
| Columbia Memorial Hospital – Windham Medical Care |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Capital Healthcare Associates |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Family Practice Ballston Spa |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Family Practice Charlton |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Family Practice River Road |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Family Practice Rotterdam |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Internal Medicine River Road |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – CapitalCare Pediatrics Albany |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Clifton Park Family Medicine |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Delmar Internal Medicine |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Latham Medical Group |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Niskayuna Internal Medicine |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Partners in Family Medicine Cropseyville |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Partners in Family Medicine North Greenbush |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Saratoga Medical Associates |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – Schodack Internal Medicine and Pediatrics |
| Community Care Physicians, PC – The Office of Dr. Lev Barats |
| DeLeo Family Medicine, PC |
| Ellis Medicine Pediatric Care |
| Eugene Merecki, MD, PC, dba Malta Family Medicine |
| Family Medicine of Mechanicville |
| Five Corners Family Practice |
| Glens Falls Hospital – Fort Edward Internal Medicine |
| Glens Falls Hospital – Whitehall Family Medicine |
| Hoosick Street Pediatrics |
| Irongate Family Practice Associates |
| John M. Pramenko, MD, PC |
 Kathleen M. Catalano, DO |
| Medical Associates of the Hudson Valley – Poughkeepsie |
| Philmont Family Practice/Neal A. Baillargeon, MD |
| Riverview Pediatrics – Troy |
| Sanjay Taneja, MD, dba Grand Medical & Pediatrics |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Community Health Center |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Galway |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Malta |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Milton |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Saratoga |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Schuylerville |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton (3044 Route 50) |
| Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton (3050 Route 50) |
| St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Family Health Center |
| St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Pediatrics |
| St. Mary’s Healthcare – Canajoharie Family Health Center |
| St. Mary’s Healthcare – Carondelet Primary Care Center |
| St. Mary’s Healthcare – Gloversville Family Health Center |
| St. Mary’s Healthcare – Johnstown Pediatrics |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners – Troy Internal Medicine |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners – Troy Pediatric Medicine |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners – Cohoes Family Care |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners – Latham Primary Care Associates |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners – Riverside Medical Center |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners – St. Peter’s Family Health Center |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners – St. Peter’s Pediatrics Clifton Park |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates – St. Peter’s Family Medicine Albany |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates – St. Peter’s Internal Medicine Albany |
| St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates – St. Peter’s Internal and Pediatric Medicine Albany |
| St. Peter’s Medical Associates – Chatham Internal Medicine |
| St. Peter’s Medical Associates – Slingerlands Pediatrics |
| Tracey Brennan, MD |
| Troy Family Physicians |
Best in Diabetes Care
Capital Region’s Best in Diabetes Care
Top 25 doctors and practices for diabetes care
| 1 | Medical Associates of the Hudson Valley – Poughkeepsie |
| 2 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton (3044 Route 50) |
| 3 | Glens Falls Hospital – Fort Edward Internal Medicine |
| 4 | John M. Pramenko, MD, PC |
| 5 | Sanjay Taneja, MD, dba Grand Medical & Pediatrics |
| 6 | Lansingburgh Family Practice, PC |
| 7 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton (3050 Route 50) |
| 8 | Glens Falls Hospital – Whitehall Family Medicine |
| 9 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Internal Medicine Albany |
| 10 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Family Medicine Albany |
| 11 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Charlton |
| 12 | CCP – Capital Healthcare Associates |
| 13 | Columbia Internal Medicine and Medical Spa |
| 14 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice River Road |
| 15 | Irongate Family Practice Associates |
| 16 | Troy Family Physicians |
| 17 | SPHP – Cohoes Family Care |
| 18 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Gloversville Family Health Center |
| 19 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland |
| 20 | CCP – The Office of Dr. Lev Barats |
| 21 | CCP – Latham Medical Group |
| 22 | CCP – Schodack Internal Medicine and Pediatrics |
| 23 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Community Health Center |
| 24 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Schuylerville |
| 25 | Eugene Merecki, MD, PC ,dba Malta Family Medicine |
Best in
Cancer Screenings
Capital Region’s Best in Cancer Screenings
Top 25 doctors and practices for cancer screenings
| 1 | St. Marys’ Healthcare – Johnstown Pediatrics |
| 2 | SPHP – Troy Pediatric Medicine |
| 3 | SPMA – Slingerlands Pediatrics |
| 4 | DeLeo Family Medicine, PC |
| 5 | CCP – CapitalCare Pediatrics Albany |
| 6 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice River Road |
| 7 | CCP – Latham Medical Group |
| 8 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Internal Medicine Albany |
| 9 | Lansingburgh Family Practice, PC |
| 10 | CCP – The Office of Dr. Lev Barats |
| 11 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton (3044 Route 50) |
| 12 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland |
| 13 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Malta |
| 14 | CCP – Capital Healthcare Associates |
| 15 | CCP – Saratoga Medical Associates |
| 16 | Troy Family Physicians |
| 17 | Kathleen M. Catalano, DO |
| 18 | Eugene Merecki, MD, PC, dba Malta Family Medicine |
| 19 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Charlton |
| 20 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice River Road |
| 21 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Family Medicine Albany |
| 22 | Sanjay Taneja, MD, dba Grand Medical & Pediatrics |
| 23 | Glens Falls Hospital – Fort Edward Internal Medicine |
| 24 | Five Corners Family Practice |
| 25 | CCP – Delmar Internal Medicine |
Best in Childhood
Immunizations
Capital Region’s Best in Childhood Immunizations
Top 25 doctors and practices for childhood immunizations
| 1 | Philmont Family Practice/Neal A. Baillargeon, MD |
| 2 | Glens Falls Hospital – Whitehall Family Medicine |
| 3 | Lansingburgh Family Practice, PC |
| 4 | Hoosick Street Pediatrics |
| 5 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Hudson Medical Care |
| 6 | SPHP – Cohoes Family Care |
| 7 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Coxsackie Medical Care |
| 8 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Pediatrics |
| 9 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Family Health Center |
| 10 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Jefferson Heights Family Care |
| 11 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Johnstown Pediatrics |
| 12 | SPMA – Slingerlands Pediatrics |
| 13 | Ellis Medicine Pediatric Care |
| 14 | SPHP- St. Peter’s Pediatrics Clifton Park |
| 15 | CCP – Latham Medical Group |
| 16 | SPHP – Troy Pediatric Medicine |
| 17 | Riverview Pediatrics – Troy |
| 18 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Internal and Pediatric Medicine Albany |
| 19 | CCP – Partners in Family Medicine Cropseyville |
| 20 | CCP – Schodack Internal Medicine and Pediatrics |
| 21 | CCP – Partners in Family Medicine North Greenbush |
| 22 | DeLeo Family Medicine, PC |
| 23 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Rotterdam |
| 24 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland |
| 25 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Charlton |
Most
Recommended
Capital Region’s Most Recommended Practices
Top 25 doctors and practices recommended to family and friends
| 1 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Pediatrics |
| 2 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Johnstown Pediatrics |
| 3 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Gloversville Family Health Center |
| 4 | Riverview Pediatrics – Troy |
| 5 | Ellis Medicine Pediatric Care |
| 6 | Glens Falls Hospital – Whitehall Family Medicine |
| 7 | Medical Associates of the Hudson Valley – Poughkeepsie |
| 8 | John M. Pramenko, MD, PC |
| 9 | Sanjay Taneja, MD, dba Grand Medical & Pediatrics |
| 10 | Hoosick Street Pediatrics |
| 11 | Family Medicine of Mechanicville |
| 12 | DeLeo Family Medicine, PC |
| 13 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Windham Medical Care |
| 14 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Coxsackie Medical Care |
| 15 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Broadway Family Care |
| 16 | Kathleen M. Catalano, DO |
| 17 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Community Health Center |
| 18 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton (3050 Route 50) |
| 19 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Ballston Spa |
| 20 | CCP – The Office of Dr. Lev Barats |
| 21 | Troy Family Physicians |
| 22 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Family Medicine Albany |
| 23 | Brunswick Family Practice, PLLC |
| 24 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice River Road |
| 25 | Eugene Merecki, MD, PC, dba Malta Family Medicine |
Open on Evenings,
Weekends, and Holidays
Capital Region Practices Open on Evenings, Weekends, and Holidays
Top 25 primary care practices open on evenings, weekends, and holidays
| 1 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Pediatrics |
| 2 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Johnstown Pediatrics |
| 3 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Gloversville Family Health Center |
| 4 | Glens Falls Hospital – Fort Edward Internal Medicine |
| 5 | Glens Falls Hospital – Whitehall Family Medicine |
| 6 | Medical Associates of the Hudson Valley-Poughkeepsie |
| 7 | John M. Pramenko, MD, PC |
| 8 | DeLeo Family Medicine, PC |
| 9 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Milton |
| 10 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Broadway Family Care |
| 11 | Kathleen M. Catalano, DO |
| 12 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Ballston Spa |
| 13 | Columbia Internal Medicine and Medical Spa |
| 14 | CCP – CapitalCare Pediatrics Albany |
| 15 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Family Medicine Albany |
| 16 | Sanjay Taneja, MD, dba Grand Medical & Pediatrics |
| 17 | Brunswick Family Practice, PLLC |
| 18 | Irongate Family Practice Associates |
| 19 | Hoosick Street Pediatrics |
| 20 | SPMA – Chatham Internal Medicine |
| 21 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland |
| 22 | SPMA – Slingerlands Pediatrics |
| 23 | SPHP- St. Peter’s Pediatrics Clifton Park |
| 24 | SPHP – Troy Pediatric Medicine |
| 25 | Troy Family Physicians |
Less Time Spent
in Waiting Rooms
Capital Region Doctors Who Don’t Keep You Waiting
Top 25 doctors and practices with short wait times
| 1 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Broadway Family Care Center |
| 2 | CCP – CapitalCare Pediatrics Albany |
| 3 | Columbia Internal Medicine and Medical Spa |
| 4 | John M. Pramenko, MD, PC |
| 5 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Wilton (3050 Route 50) |
| 6 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice Ballston Spa |
| 7 | CCP – CapitalCare Family Practice River Road |
| 8 | Philmont Family Practice/Neal A. Baillargeon, MD |
| 9 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Internal and Pediatric Medicine Albany |
| 10 | CCP – The Office of Dr. Lev Barats |
| 11 | SPMA – Slingerlands Pediatrics |
| 12 | SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Family Medicine Albany |
| 13 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Milton |
| 14 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Windham Medical Care |
| 15 | Sanjay Taneja, MD, dba Grand Medical & Pediatrics |
| 16 | CCP – Capital Healthcare Associates |
| 17 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Pediatrics |
| 18 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Community Health Center |
| 19 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Prime Medical, Catskill |
| 20 | SPMA – Chatham Internal Medicine |
| 21 | Eugene Merecki, MD, PC, dba Malta Family Medicine |
| 22 | Hoosick Street Pediatrics |
| 23 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Malta |
| 24 | Irongate Family Practice Associates |
| 25 | CCP – Saratoga Medical Associates |
Schedules
Timely Appointments
Capital Region Doctors Who Schedule Timely Appointments
Top 25 doctors offering easy scheduling
| 1 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Canajoharie Health Center |
| 2 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Amsterdam Memorial Pediatrics |
| 3 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Johnstown Pediatrics |
| 4 | St. Mary’s Healthcare – Gloversville Family Health Center |
| 5 | Riverview Pediatrics – Troy |
| 6 | Ellis Medicine Pediatric Care |
| 7 | SPHP – Troy Pediatric Medicine |
| 8 | SPHP – St. Peter’s Pediatrics Clifton Park |
| 9 | CCP – Partners in Family Medicine North Greenbush |
| 10 | Glens Falls Hospital – Fort Edward Internal Medicine |
| 11 | Medical Associates of the Hudson Valley – Poughkeepsie |
| 12 | Sanjay Taneja, MD, dba Grand Medical & Pediatrics |
| 13 | Brunswick Family Practice, PLLC |
| 14 | Family Medicine Of Mechanicville |
| 15 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Malta |
| 16 | DeLeo Family Medicine, PC |
| 17 | Saratoga Hospital – Saratoga Hospital Medical Group Primary Care – Milton |
| 18 | SPMA – Slingerlands Pediatrics |
| 19 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Jefferson Heights Family Care |
| 20 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Windham Medical Care |
| 21 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Prime Medical, Catskill |
| 22 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Coxsackie Medical Care |
| 23 | Columbia Memorial Hospital – Broadway Family Care |
| 24 | Philmont Family Practice/Neal A. Baillargeon, MD |
| 25 | Kathleen M. Catalano, DO |
John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP About the Author
John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP, is president and CEO of Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Inc. (CDPHP), an award-winning, physician aligned, not-for-profit health plan based in Albany, NY. Bennett has held the position since 2008 after serving more than 10 years as chair, vice chair, and board member for CDPHP. During his tenure, CDPHP has been ranked among the top-performing health plans in New York and the nation, most recently named #1 in Customer Satisfaction in the 2023 J.D. Power Member Health Plan Study. Under his leadership, CDPHP has also become known as a model employer regionally and nationally and was recently named among the top five Best Companies to Work for in New York by the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as Forbes Best-in-State Employers 2022. Prior to joining CDPHP, Bennett served as founding member and CEO of Prime Care Physicians, PLLC. During his tenure, he co-led a team of 25 cardiologists and helped grow the practice to a 100-physician multi-specialty group. Bennett is board certified by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine, with subspecialties in internal medicine and cardiology. He earned his medical degree at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, and a Bachelor of Science degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Bennett completed an internship and residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Albany Medical Center. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians. Bennett is currently board chair for the Center for Economic Growth and the Capital Region Chamber, and vice chair for the Palace Theatre. Bennett also serves on the boards of the New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC), the Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Russell Sage Colleges. Bennett is a member of the New York Public Health and Health Planning Council where he helps shape decisions related to New York State's public health and health care delivery system. Well-known locally and nationally for advancing health care innovation, Bennett was recently named to Crain’s New York Business 2021 Notable in Health Care, as well as the Albany Business Review’s Power 50 list.
Lisa M. Schulz
Where is the list of top doctors for 2019???
John D. Bennett
Hi, Lisa! You can click on the green boxes above to see the top doctors in each category, including People’s Choice, primary care, etc.
Deb danz
90% are practices, not doctors. Very misleading!!!
John D. Bennett
Hi, Deb – Thanks for taking the time to comment. The practices listed include doctors that participate in our Enhanced Primary Care program, and who have achieved high quality care and top patient satisfaction scores.
Kristine Kelley
I agree with Lisa. I expected a listing of the top capital district doctors, not community care practices or offices. This posting is misleading.
John D. Bennett
Hi, Kristine –
You’re right, Community Care pops-up frequently on the list! I would like to point out that the results are tied directly to quality, efficiency, and patient satisfaction data, which means Community Care earned its place on the list.
Maureen Piel
This post is misleading and fairly useless.
Debbie Wowkowych
Can we submit other dr names for your ratings/recommendations?
John D. Bennett
Hi, Debbie! Yes, keep an eye out for a call for nominations mid-next year.
William C Koester
I would appreciate the opportunity to nominate my primary care physician and his team in the future. Thank you for your consideration.
John D. Bennett
Hi, William –
Absolutely! We work with the Albany Business Review to accept nominations. Please keep a look out for the announcement next summer.
howard philipson
Dear Dr Bennett: I agreee with other comments. It is the PROVIDER, not the practice, that counts. A group may consist of excellent and not so good providers. How you are treated as a patient depends on which provider you are a patient of. Thanks for excellent health insurance coverage!
John D. Bennett
Hello, Howard –
Thanks for the feedback! We are glad to have you as a member.
Denise Reichardt
My PCP has retired. Where can I find a list of the current physicians in the practice to select a new one?
John D. Bennett
Hi, Denise – thanks for reaching out! You can use our Find-A-Doc search tool at findadoc.cdphp.com to locate a new PCP.
Blanca
Hello, A list coming soon is not helping. I need a good doctor. All the ones my colleagues recommend do not take new patients.
One doctor that was recommended was impossible to reach. The office seemed to be unwilling to even answer the phone.
I need help and I am not getting any from CDPHP
John D. Bennett
Hello, Blanca –
We can help you find a great doctor. Simply call the number of your ID card and a member of our customer service team can assist. Please let me know if you get the answers you need.
Dick Curtis
A list of top rated primary care physicians is a great idea. Not making them clickable is a very bad idea, Not noting ones that are not taking new patients on a page I got to by clicking Looking for a Primary Physician? is a VERY bad idea.
John D. Bennett
Hi, Curtis –
You make a great point. We will take these ideas into consideration when we compile our 2020 report. Thank you for the input.