The Daily Dose
People’s Choice Winners
Primary Care
Brian Navarro, MD, Community Care Physicians – CapitalCare Family Practice Guilderland
Several years ago, my daughter was having lower abdominal pain. Dr. Navarro knew right away it was her appendix. Several specialists and surgeons disagreed and sent her home. She was in agony for six weeks. Dr. Navarro referred her to one last specialist who went in laparoscopically to take a look. Lo and behold, it was her appendix, and it was ready to rupture. Thankfully for us, the surgeon removed it in time.
Tami Seaman, MD, Community Care Physicians – Latham Medical Group
Dr. Seaman truly cares about each and every one of her patients. At every visit, she is attentive, listens to your concerns, and thoroughly reviews your records to update and add new information. She sits and listens, so I never feel rushed. She’s down to earth and never makes me feel nervous. I really like her as a human being.
Michael Lettrick, MD, Lettrick Family Medicine
Dr. Lettrick is steady, efficient, and caring. He always greets you warmly, listens to what you have to say, is thorough with exams, and explains what he is doing and why. Dr. Lettrick shows an interest in you as an individual, and he fosters trust in the medical profession as a whole.
Judith Van Woert, MD
Joanne H. Van Woert, MD, PC
Someone always answers the phone at Dr. Van Woert’s office. It’s quick and easy to get an appointment, and she is very thorough. What’s more impressive is that she even volunteered a home visit when my husband was discharged from the hospital after a lengthy stay.
Peter Forman, MD, Delmar Family Medicine
For many years, Dr. Forman and his team have provided excellent primary care for my family. Since my son joined the United States Air Force, his family has moved frequently, which causes a lot of inconsistency in their health care. However, if his children or wife get sick while visiting, Dr. Forman always makes the time to see them. He’s even offered to provide health care guidance for the family no matter where in the world they live. It is so reassuring that, even though they no longer live locally, Dr. Forman and the Delmar Family Medicine team are still there for our loved ones.
Office Administrator
Nick Campione, St. Peter’s Internal Medicine – Slingerlands
Nick is always helpful and pleasant. He often works through his breaks to find information for a patient or take care of a concern they may have. He gets results when a patient calls with a concern. He remembers patients and treats them all like family. It’s great to have someone to rely on and trust, especially when it comes to health care.
Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant
Patrick Matolka, PA-C , Community Care Physicians – Schodack Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
My son suffers from extreme anxiety and depression. It has been very difficult to find a doctor who is understanding and who can offer the proper resources to help my child. Last year, my son was suicidal. Patrick literally saved his life. He cleared his schedule to accommodate us. He even called after the office was closed to check in and ask if there was anything more he could do. It says a lot when a clinician goes above and beyond to help your family! If it wasn’t for Patrick, I don’t know where my son would be today.
Jill Martin, MSN, FNP
Hilltown Healthcare, PLLC
Jill remembers who her patients are, what their individual needs are, and even asks about their family members. She and I spent two years trying to figure out the cause of my sudden weight gain and finally figured out it was polycystic ovary syndrome. Additionally, when I thought my youngest child might have ADD/ADHD, she suggested I send her in for a sleep study based on new data showing that lack of sleep can cause the same symptoms. She was on it, always is, and always is a pleasure!
Michelle E. Cafaro, PA-C, Oldendorf Medical Services
Several years ago, I suffered a pregnancy loss. I was in a bad place emotionally and very close to a complete breakdown. Michelle made the appointment for me the very next day and she sat with me and let me cry, and was willing to help me without pause or reservation. Her bedside manner was warm and empathetic, and her response to my crisis was appropriate and measured. I felt seen and I felt saved. She helped me develop a plan to begin to crawl out of my trauma; I owe her my life.
Registered Nurse
Susan Berdar, RN, Community Care Physicians – Delmar Internal Medicine
It’s the little things that make a big difference with Susan. She gets back to you quickly, listens to your problems, goes over your medicines, and will help you whenever you need her. She always calls back with test results or when you have a question, and she takes time to understand what your problem is.
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.
Valerie Levay
Mary Shierley is exceptional in Castleton/Schodack. She is smart and young and is soo professional. I’m 73 and she understands seniors. She is a breath of fresh air at CCP.