Oswego doctor eyes McHugh's seat

Dr. Ronald V. Uva recalled his friends and colleagues being impressed by his understanding of women's health issues during lobbying trips to Washington, D.C.

"If the time should ever come, you should run for Congress," the board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist recalled them saying.

The appointed hour has arrived.

Dr. Uva, Oswego, said Wednesday he will seek the Republican Party's nomination in the upcoming 23rd Congressional District race. The party chairpersons will caucus this summer to pick a candidate to run for the seat. U.S. Rep. John M. McHugh, the seat holder, awaits confirmation to become Army secretary.

"I have no political experience at all, but I don't think that the single criterion on which I should be judged," said Dr. Uva, 60.

Instead, he wants Republicans to consider his work advocating for issues such as universal access to prenatal care, reproductive rights and malpractice reform.

Skyrocketing malpractice rates, he said, have a ripple effect that have left New York lacking adequate health care providers. He said he has talked to local medical school graduates about this issue.

"If you ask them why they're leaving, they say, 'We don't want to practice in a state that's so litigious,'" he said. "People are avoiding higher specialties across the nation. There has to be some change. There's room for a great debate on how this is done, but it's affecting the whole medical system."

Dr. Uva said he also would like the government to work toward legalizing members of the nation's immigrant population so they can become move involved in their community and pay taxes to support the local and federal services they use.

Dr. Uva said Oswego County OB/GYN, where he practices, has kept a fully electronic medical record database for the past six years. The up-to-date records, which can be sent anywhere, have improved patient care and reduced mistakes.

Practices and hospitals should follow suit, he said, and the government should offer funds to entice these agencies into moving away from traditional record keeping.

If elected, Dr. Uva said he would lobby for manufacturers to reuse shuttered factories in places like Hamilton and St. Lawrence counties to increase job opportunities and expand the tax base.

He had no suggestions on military or defense issues, except to say, "I would not support changing Fort Drum in any way. They are a vital aspect in the community."

The doctor said he is well known in Oswego County, but acknowledged that he'll have to work hard to impress those who don't know him in the district's 10 other counties.

Dr. Uva has built some contacts as legislative chairman from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. And of course, there are the families of the 6,500 babies he's delivered since starting his practice in 1980.

"I have an intimate knowledge of the people who live in this area," he said. "When you deliver their babies, you get to know their likes, dislikes, foibles. It's been my pleasure to take care of them."

If Gov. David A. Paterson calls a special election, the vote will take place within 40 days of his proclamation. Candidates will have to be able to raise funds quickly, and be able to tap into considerable personal reserves.

Dr. Uva said he can meet that challenge.

"I put myself through medical school," he said, declining to offer a figure of what he personally could contribute. "And I would hope by getting endorsements, you could get volunteers and support."

Dr. Uva is the sixth Republican to seek or consider seeking his party's nomination. The others are Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, Gouverneur; Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake; accountant Douglas L. Hoffman, Lake Placid; businessman Matthew A. Doheny, Alexandria Bay, and Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Pulaski.

THE UVA FILE

Ronald V. Uva

AGE: 60

RESIDENCE: Oswego

FAMILY: Wife, Sarah; three children: Matthew, Michael and Christina

JOB: Obstetrician/gynecologist at Oswego County OB/GYN, 1980 to present

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in biology, University at Buffalo, 1970; doctorate at University of Bologna, Italy, 1976; finished internship and residency at Upstate Medical University, 1980