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Robert Charles Block, M.D., M.P.H.

(Pronouns: he/him/his)

Contact Information

Phone Numbers

Appointment: (585) 341-7800

Administrative: (585) 275-8784

Office: (585) 275-3356

URMFGA member of the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group

groupAn Accountable Health Partner

assignmentAccepting New Patients

Faculty Appointments

Patient Care Setting

Cardiology

Biography

Dr. Robert Block specializes in the care of patients with hyperlipidemia. His expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of patients with complex lipid disorders and familial cholesterol diseases. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, and also in Clinical Lipidology.

Research

Research: The primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease through public health measures and medical practice redesign as well as the investigation of pathophysiologic mechanisms by which disease develops. His sub-focus is the role of fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. Given his years of clinical practice, Dr. Block's research interests are quite broad. His research, however, focuses on the investigation of how nutrition affects the risk of cardiovascular disease. This interest is most intense regarding the role of fatty acids and their metabolites on heart disease risk, particularly in those with coronary artery disease. He has completed a recent study of the relationship of blood levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and the risk of recurrent coronary artery events. He is interested in understanding the role of biomarkers, such as fatty acids, for clinical use as well as in helping to understand heart disease pathophysiology. He has published regarding the clinical use of measuring lipoprotein(a) in predicting risk of cardiovascular disease in different populations and regarding the need for an integrated approach to cardiovascular disease modification. His clinical, teaching, and research expertise merge to generate novel hypotheses, many of which involve patient perspectives and goals. With his students, he focuses on creating direct patient and public health experiences by having them shadow patient visits, participate in meetings, and collaborate on his research projects. His career interests translate into his daily life as well, as he often runs or bikes to work in order to advance the adoption of a healthy, preventive lifestyle.

Credentials

Specialties

    Education

    1991
    MD | New Jersey Medical School

    2006
    MPH | University of Rochester School of Medicine/Dentistry

    Post-doctoral Training & Residency

    08/01/2004 - 07/31/2006
    Fellowship at University of Rochester Medical Center

    07/01/1992 - 06/30/1995
    Residency in Internal Medicine at Mayo Foundation Rochester

    07/01/1991 - 06/30/1992
    Internship in Internal Medicine at Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies

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    Awards

    2020
    ICARE Award of Excellence for contributions to the Heart and Vascular Webinar
    Sponsor: University of Rochester
    Location: Rochester, NY

    2020
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2019
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2017
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2016
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2015
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2015
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2014
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2014
    Gold Star Human
    Sponsor: Office of Human Subjects Protection-Quality Improvement Program
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2013
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2013
    Excellence in Research Incentive Program Award
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2013
    Excellence in Research Incentive Program Award
    Sponsor: University of Rochester

    2013
    Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester

    2011
    University of Rochester Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation
    Location: University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

    2008
    Community Health Improvement Clerkship (CHIC) recognized as an innovative element of the curriculum. Dr. Block was Co-Director.

    2008
    Sandra Daugherty Award for Excellence in Cardiovascular Disease or Hypertension Epidemiology
    Sponsor: American Heart Association

    2006
    Elizabeth Barrett-Connor Award Finalist
    Sponsor: American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology & Prevention
    Location: Chicago, IL

    1997
    Dictator of the Year, Honorable Mention
    Sponsor: Dartmouth Transcription Department

    1987
    Medical Student Research Award
    Sponsor: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society

    1987
    Scudder Association Scholarship for students involved in humanitarian work
    Sponsor: Scudder Association

    1986
    Scudder Association Scholarship for students involved in humanitarian work
    Sponsor: Scudder Association


    Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (KL2) Scholar


    Dean's List, Multiple
    Sponsor: Rutger's University
    Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey


    Honorable Mention, Dictator of the Year
    Sponsor: Dartmouth Medical Transcription Department
    Location: Hanover, New Hampshire


    Fellow
    Sponsor: American College of Physicians


    Fellow
    Sponsor: National Lipid Association

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    Publications

    Journal Articles

    4/20/2023
    , Haycock PC, Borges MC, Burrows K, Lemaitre RN, Burgess S, Khankari NK, Tsilidis KK, Gaunt TR, Hemani G, Zheng J, Truong T, Birmann BM, OMara T, Spurdle AB, Iles MM, Law MH, Slager SL, Saberi Hosnijeh F, Mariosa D, Cotterchio M, Cerhan JR, Peters U, Enroth S, Gharahkhani P, Le Marchand L, Williams AC, Block RC, , , , , , , , , , , Amos CI, Hung RJ, Zheng W, Gunter MJ, Smith GD, Relton C, Martin RM. "The association between genetically elevated polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of cancer." EBioMedicine.. 2023 Apr 20; 91:104510. Epub 2023 Apr 20.

    3/18/2023
    Wojdak C, Silvey P, Coykendall C, Lin YS, Bansal A, Shannon K, Wagner H, McIntosh S, Block RC. "Indicators of Self-Determination in Therapeutic Songwriting Lyrics Created by Adults with High LDL Cholesterol." Journal of music therapy.. 2023 Mar 18; Epub 2023 Mar 18.

    2023
    Nathan J., Wojdak C., Williams, G., McIntosh, S., Coykendall C, Lin, Y., Thevenet-Morrison K., Block R.C. "Effects of a Pilot Therapeutic Songwriting Intervention on Motivation in Patients with Severe Hypercholesterolemia." Music and Medicine. 2023; .

    Books & Chapters

    2013
    Chapter Title: Angiogenesis Modulations in Health and Disease
    Book Title: Angiogenesis Modulation by Arachidonic
    Author List: Block RC, Yalcin M, Srinivasan M, Georas S, Mousa SA.
    Published By: Springer Science+Business Media 2013 in Dordrecht

    2012
    Book Title: "Hyperlipidemia". Manual of Outpatient Cardiology
    Author List: Woolf K, Connell R, Block R
    Edited By: John Bisognano, G. Ronald Beck, Ryan W. Connell
    Published By: Springer-Verlag 2012 in London

    2009
    Chapter Title: The Prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease
    Book Title: Rochester Heart Failure Book
    Author List: Sherazi S, Block RC
    Edited By: John Bisognano
    Published By: Springer 2009

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    Reviews

    At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information.