October 30, 2023 Healthy Living

2023 Top Doctors Report

And the winners are…

CDPHP knows that choosing the right doctor is one of the most important decisions you will make. That’s why we created CDPHP Top Doctors, a comprehensive report of the area’s top-performing pediatric, family medicine, and internal medicine practices.

Built off the success and principles guiding our Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program, which rewards doctors for keeping patients healthy, CDPHP Top Doctors celebrates practices that go above and beyond in the areas of quality and patient satisfaction. Whether you’re new parents looking for the best local pediatrician, or just want to see how your family doctor stacks up against the rest, CDPHP Top Doctors provides powerful data that allows you to make the most informed decisions about your care. Please join CDPHP in congratulating all of the winners, especially our repeat winners. Those Practices winning three or more times are celebrated with a star next to their name.

Find out who our winners are for 2023 and our other top 10 Internal Medicine Practices here.

Meet our Top Internal Medicine Practices

Find out who our winners are for 2023 and our other top 10 Pediatric Practices here.

Meet our Top Pediatric Practices
Shaker Pediatrics
Community Care Physicians - CapitalCare Family Practice Clifton Park

Find out who our winners are for 2023 and our other top 25 Family Practices here.

Meet our Top Family Practices

Peabody Award Winners

It is with great pride and pleasure that we introduce to you the winners of the first ever CDPHP Top Doctors Peabody Awards. Named in honor of Francis W. Peabody, an American physician, teacher, and humanitarian, who famously said, “…the secret of the care of patients is caring for the patient.”

Meet our Peabody Award Winners

Top Performers in Quality of Care

CDPHP knows that quality is more important than quantity. That’s why we encourage primary care provider to focus their time and attention on critical quality metrics proven to keep patients healthy. This includes screenings for things like diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and more.

We also know that when it comes to your health care, little thing can make a big difference. Like, how easy is it to get an appointment? Or how long are you stuck in the waiting room? We’ve done the homework and compiled a list of local doctors who go out of their way to please you!

Cancer Care

  1. DeLeo Family Medicine, PC – Kingston
  2. Saratoga Family Physicians – Malta
  3. Eugene Merecki, MD, PC, dba Malta Family Medicine
  4. SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Family Medicine (1444 Western Ave, Suite C)
  5. Sanjay Taneja, MD
  6. Community Care Physicians – CapitalCare Family Practice Clifton Park
  7. Community Care Physicians – Troy Family Physicians
  8. Community Care Physicians – CapitalCare Charlton Family Medicine
  9. Saratoga Family Physicians – Saratoga
  10. Scotia Glenville Family Physicians, PC

Patient Satisfaction

  1. Albany Med Health System – Columbia Memorial Health – Lafayette Family Care
  2. Albany Med Health System – Saratoga Hospital – Primary Care Mechanicville
  3. Greenville Medical Associates, PC
  4. Eugene Merecki, MD, PC, dba Malta Family Medicine
  5. SPHPMA – Latham Primary Care Associates
  6. Community Care Physicians – Troy Family Physicians
  7. Newtonville Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, PLLC
  8. SPHPMA – St. Peter’s Internal Medicine (4 Palisades Drive, Suite 100)
  9. Community Care Physicians – CapitalCare Internal Medicine Nott Street
  10. John M. Pramenko, MD, PC

Diabetes Care

  1. Albany Med Health System – Columbia Memorial Health – Broadway Family Care Center
  2. SPHPMA – Riverside Medical Center
  3. Lettrick Family Medicine, PLLC
  4. Community Care Physicians – Capital Healthcare Associates
  5. Community Care Physicians – The Office of Dr. Lev Barats
  6. Sanjay Taneja, MD
  7. Community Care Physicians – Community Care Family Practice Niskayuna
  8. Albany Family Medicine, PLLC
  9. Oldendorf Medical Services
  10. SPHPMA – Latham Primary Care Associates
  11. Delmar Family Medicine

(SPHPMA) St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates

CDPHP Top Doctors Celebrates 10 Years of Health Care Excellence

CDPHP Saves Nearly $400 Million in Health Care Costs, Improves Quality of Care for Local Patients

Ten years since launching an innovative care model designed to improve the quality and affordability of health care for hundreds of thousands of local patients, CDPHP is pleased to report its Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program has netted nearly $400 million in savings over the last decade.

In 2012, noticing a shortage in the number of local medical students choosing the field of primary care medicine, CDPHP launched the program with the primary goal of reducing physician burnout while achieving optimal health outcomes for its members. EPC departs from the traditional fee-for-service payment model, which encourages more, not better care. Instead, EPC doctors are paid for quality, not quantity, and receive significant financial incentives for meeting certain quality milestones.

“We’re paying doctors to spend more quality time with their patients,” said CDPHP president and CEO, Dr. John D. Bennett. “This has resulted in fewer emergency room visits, inpatient hospital stays, and costly medications being prescribed,” added Bennett, who noted the majority of savings were related to pharmacy costs with providers prescribing generic medications over costly name brand drugs.

In addition to cost savings, EPC sites have been proven to move the needle on key quality metrics,
outperforming non-EPC sites in the areas of asthma care, diabetes care, cancer screenings, and more.

Quality MeasuresNon-EPCEPC
Asthma Medication Ratio > 50% – 5 to 6473.6%77.7%
Diabetes – Eye Exam55.3%63.4%
Diabetes – A1C Control <8%29.6%49.4%
Kidney Health Evaluation for Patients with Diabetes30.1%48%
Colorectal Cancer Screening64.5%79.2%
Breast Cancer Screening74.5%82.2%
Cervical Cancer Screening70.8%78.6%

“We’re putting our money where are mouth is. EPC doctors have been proven to excel on critical quality scores, so this is a true investment in the health of our community.”

CDPHP president and CEO, Dr. John D. Bennett


Today, the EPC program includes 200 primary care practices which provide care for 90 percent of CDPHP members. Over the life of the program, EPC providers received an additional $75 million more in reimbursements and enhanced bonuses than if they had not participated in the program.

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.

28 Responses to “2023 Top Doctors Report”

  1. Gregg St.Clair

    As an acupuncturist and provider for CDPHP for years, I always look at these reports hoping to find something listed about alternative therapies but never do. Investing in alternative therapies is the most practical way for insurance companies to save money and I think it would behoove the CDPHP to showcase more complementary/integrative therapies to help their members since many aren’t even aware of their benefits.

    http://www.stclairfamilyacupuncture.com

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Gregg, I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your thoughts about alternative medicine. As you know, CDPHP does cover acupuncture and other therapies, and we work hard to ensure members are aware of their benefits. You are correct, however, in that CDPHP Top Doctors specifically focuses on primary care medicine, as the report was built off data derived from our Enhanced Primary Care program. We do recognize other specialties with our Peabody Award and will be sure to take your comments into consideration for future campaigns and member materials. Thank you! Dr. Bennett.

  2. Elizabeth G Dole

    I am currently searching for a new doctor. Dr. Drislane has retired and her replacement Dr. Reyes left to move to a new area with her family. I searched on your website and found Dr. Gloria Guptill accepting new patients and I chose her as it is close to my home. I followed up with her practice and she is NOT accepting new patients as you had said in your publication. I am now in search again for a new provider. I was disappointed to find out that Dr. Guptill was unable to be my doctor. Please be current on your suggestions for doctors you say are available to accept new patients. I deserve accurate information to make an informed decision.

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hello, Elizabeth! I am sorry to hear you found inaccurate information on our website. Unfortunately, we rely on physician practices to keep us informed of when they are/not accepting new patients. I will make sure my team knows. Also, I have asked my team to reach out to help you find a new primary care doctor. We will be in touch soon! Thank you, Dr. Bennett.

  3. Barbara Orekondy

    I have a Medicare advantage plan with CDPHP. I goofed and had the October payment sent for November. It’s all been straightened out now, but I was very much offended by the letter that I received from Christopher Trant at CDPHP regarding not getting my payment. I found it harsh and a bit threatening. I did call and spoke to a very nice person who takes calls, but asked to speak to someone at a higher level who has the authority to make change. I got an administrative assistant in Dr. Bennett’s office, who kept repeating the same thing over and over. I am a retired nurse and understand how important it is for perception. I thought I was doing you all a service by calling and telling you how unhappy that letter made me because if it makes me unhappy it makes 10 or 20 other people unhappy that aren’t going to say anything in fact, my neighbor down the street, whose son is an orthopedic surgeon at Albany Med, got the same letter that I did, and was offended Thanks for reading this and hopefully making some change.

  4. Catherine Roberts-Horton

    Is there dental care ? I have CDPHP medicare thank you

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Catherine, Thanks for being a CDPHP Medicare Advantage member! Yes, all of our Medicare plans come with up to $1,500 to be used at any dentist. I have asked my team to reach out to discuss the specifics with you. Be well! Dr. Bennett

  5. Cynthia Wallace

    I was excited to see that you were providing us with a list of 2023 Top Doctors. But I was disappointed to find no indication of where these recommended doctors are located. How can this help us when these doctors may not be anywhere in reach of our location?

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Cynthia, This is great feedback! I am wondering if we might be able to list the doctors by county in next year’s report. I will pass this along to our team. Thank you! Dr. Bennett.

  6. Line Callahan

    Dr. Bennett is the strength behind CDPHP. CDPHP has always been great for me. If I need to call for information, I know I will be helped by a knowledgeable and friendly person who really wants to help me.

  7. Beverly A Paige

    I need a good doctor in my area. I’m 77 & don’t like driving to far.So I need a GP in the Mayfield,Johnstown area.

  8. Ed McSweeney

    Where is the great Dr. Mitnick…He’s the Best.

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Ed, If you are talking about the Dr. Mitnick with Albany Family Medicine, I am happy to say they made the list! We list the winners by practice name rather than the individual provider. Thanks for your comment! -Dr. Bennett

  9. Ann Lynch

    Looking for a top orthopedic knee specialist?

  10. Jacqueline Stellone

    You should rename your list of top doctors to top groups. I would definitely appreciate a list of top doctors by name as top groups means nothing to me. Kind of feels like a participation award.

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Jacqueline, Thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately, we do not currently drill down to the provider level, but we do honor individual doctors as part of our Peabody Awards. I appreciate your comments and hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Dr. Bennett

  11. Brenda Ciliberti

    Capital Region Orthopedics is the best practice for all of your orthopedic needs.

  12. marcia mcgee

    I am looking for a new dr because my dr is unliable never returns my calls cancels my appointments albany area perfered

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Marcia, Thanks for your comment. I have asked a member of my team to reach out to help you find a new provider. Please let me know if you need anything else. Happy holidays! Dr. Bennett

  13. Victoria Seward

    I’m trying to locate Dr John Sweet, Ears, Nose and Throat Doctor in Oneonta, NY. The phone number listed is not valid/current number

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Victoria, I am sorry you’re not able to get in touch with Dr. Sweet. My team will be reaching out soon to help connect you with an ENT in your area. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with. -Dr. Bennett

  14. nancy nowakowski

    I note that almost all providers are NOT physicians nor are there many providers that are independent, i.e. have their own offices unaffiliated with a local hospital. As a result, making an appointment as a new patient means you have to wait, on average, over six weeks to see a provider. And again, this provider is unlikely to be an MD. I have nothing against, PAs, NPs or any other provider. But if a person needs a specialist, at least the initial visit should be with an MD.

    • John D. Bennett, MD, FACC, FACP

      Hi Nancy, Thanks for your feedback. I agree and hear you regarding issues of appointment wait times and provider consolidation. That said, and through our partnership with Community Care Physicians, which is an independent practice not owned by a hospital, I would love to help you find a provider accepting new patients. I have asked my team to reach out. All my best! – Dr. Bennett

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