Dr Tom Wolff MD Family Medicine Story - Health WorkForce New York (HWNY)

The Extraordinary Life of
Dr. L. Thomas Wolff, M.D.

and the history of family medicine in America.

Help our future rural healthcare practitioners succeed.

Thank you to our sponsor
New York State Academy of Family Physicians (NYSAFP)

Dr. L. Thomas Wolff is the commensurate family man. From his personal family to his professional, and to the many families he has cared for, Dr. Wolff has dedicated himself to the well-being of others throughout central New York. In 2020, we interviewed Dr. Tom Wolff and are honored to share his story.

Episode 1

Growing up in upstate New York, Dr. Wolff received his undergraduate degree from Siena College, his medical degree from Albany Medical College, and completed his residency at St Joseph’s Hospital. His parents, Leo and Ruth, we’re instrumental in encouraging and shaping the leader Dr. Wolff is today.

Episode 2

During his military service in the Army Medical Corps, then Major Wolff was given duty as a Family Practice and Ambulatory Care Consultant to the Surgeon General. While caring for patients and raising his family, Dr. Wolff was instrumental in the implementation of seven Family Practice Residency Programs in the U.S. Army system.

Episode 3

Dr. Wolff was appointed Director of Medical Education at St Joseph’s Hospital Health Center while simultaneously joining the faculty at SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine as Chair of the Department of Family Medicine. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Wolff has been an active presence at local, state, and national levels serving and chairing numerous professional organizations and boards. Dr. Wolff was a co-founder of the New York State Area Health Education Center System (AHEC) and Associate Director of such from 1998 until 2005.

Episode 4

It’s no secret we’re in a health workforce crisis across America. Even prior to COVID-19, the situation was critical in rural communities. Physicians are aging out and new providers are choosing high paid specialties over rural family medicine positions. Two programs striving to address this problem are the SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Rural Medicine (RMED) program and Physician Assistant Studies program.

You can play a valuable role in helping our future healthcare practitioners succeed.

L. Thomas Wolff, M.D. Scholarship

When you support the L. Thomas Wolff, M.D. Scholarship Fund, you’re not only helping students realize their goals, you’re investing in the future health of our community. Learn more about the L.Thomas Wolff Scholarship >