About
Dr. Bernard Plansky brings a rare combination of credentials to his family medicine practice in Pittsford, NY. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Brown University in 1985, including an exchange year at the University of Sussex in England. He completed his Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1992. His internship and residency in Family Practice followed at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY.
Dr. Plansky holds dual board certifications as a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. From 2012 to 2021, he worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Center as an Addiction Medicine Specialist, directing the Biology of Addiction Group, the Biology of Pain Group, and co-directing the Substance Abuse Drop-In Group. He also served as Medical Director of the mPOWER Program from 2012 to 2014. He holds teacher certifications in Nei Kung and Eternal Spring Chi Kung, certification in Sensorimotor Education through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, and serves as a faculty member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Plansky directed Shakespeare from the Streets from 2016 to 2019 and has directed multiple Shakespeare as Medicine productions. He is passionate about the role of chronic inflammation in disease and believes that attentive, personalized care helps patients get ahead of it.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Brown University, Providence, RI, Bachelor of Arts, History 1985; University of Sussex Exchange Program, Falmer, Brighton, England 1983-1984
Medical School
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
Residency
Family Practice, St. Joseph's Hospital, Syracuse, NY 1993-1995
Additional Training
Internship, St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, NY 1992-1993
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Plansky right for?
Dr. Plansky suits adults managing chronic conditions rooted in inflammation, such as diabetes, hypertension, or chronic pain. Patients dealing with addiction or substance use disorders benefit from his dual board certification in Addiction Medicine. He works well with patients who want a physician invested in coaching, teaching, and long-term partnership. His integrative background appeals to those seeking care that draws on both conventional and complementary approaches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Plansky focuses on chronic inflammation, chronic disease management, addiction, substance use disorders, and chronic pain. He holds board certifications in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, giving him a broad and specialized clinical range. He also integrates functional and preventive medicine into his care.
Yes. Dr. Plansky holds dual board certifications as a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.
Dr. Plansky believes that chronic medical conditions are triggered by inflammation requiring ongoing management. He focuses on close, personalized attention to help patients get ahead of inflammation before it advances. His practice philosophy centers on coaching and teaching patients so they become active partners in their own care.
Dr. Plansky earned his medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1992. He completed his internship and Family Practice residency at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY, finishing in 1995. He also studied history as an undergraduate at Brown University, including an exchange year at the University of Sussex in England.
Yes. Dr. Plansky spent nearly a decade at the Veterans Administration Medical Center as an Addiction Medicine Specialist from 2012 to 2021. He directed the Biology of Addiction Group and the Biology of Pain Group, and co-directed the Substance Abuse Drop-In Group. He also served as Medical Director of the mPOWER Program.
Dr. Plansky holds teacher certifications in Nei Kung and Eternal Spring Chi Kung. He also holds certification in Sensorimotor Education through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and serves as faculty of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He directs the Center for Integrative Medical Research, a role he has held since 2005.
Yes. Dr. Plansky serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, a position he has held since 2015. He has also presented at international conferences, including the 26th Annual International Psychological Trauma Conference.
Yes. Dr. Plansky is reachable by phone after hours and on weekends. Members contact him directly, without going through an answering service or on-call substitute.
Doctor profile last updated April 4, 2026