Our Practitioners

Howard Silcoff, M.D. is Board certified in Family Practice. He was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. He received both his undergraduate degree in physiology, and his MD degree from McGill University in Montreal. He went on to complete residency training at McGill’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in July of 1996. His training included all of the disciplines of family medicine, including obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, geriatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, emergency and ICU care.

After residency, he spent close to six months exploring opportunities throughout the northeast, and after learning about Ithaca and the environs decided on settling here because of all it has to offer. Dr. Silcoff moved to Ithaca and started working at Dryden Family Medicine in July of 1997.

He most enjoys the wide variety of people he gets to interact with and the many relationships built over the years. When not busy working, and not consumed by the wonderful food at Ithaca’s Farmers’ Market and the produce section at Wegman’s, he enjoys time with his family, playing hockey, skiing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking.

Dr. Sopchak is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. He was trained at the Botsford Family Medicine Residency in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Besides being a family physician, he also is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), and has a special focus on musculoskeletal problems (aches and pains related to the joints, ligaments, tendons, and bones.). Osteopathic physicians are trained in all the areas that M.D.’s are but have additional training in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems. Osteopathic manipulation therapy is a treatment technique that D.O.’s are able to use for a variety of conditions. He is enthusiastic about taking care of the needs of all his patients and especially interested in helping patients who are having back, head and neck, arm, or leg pain. Dr. Sopchak has been certified by the federal Department of Transportation to perform physicals for truckers and commercial drivers. Established patients of the practice as well as drivers who are not our patients may schedule their DOT exams with Dr. Sopchak.

Dr. Sopchak has two young children. Both he and his wife are originally from the Binghamton area, and look forward to raising their children in beautiful upstate New York.

Dr. Pierre is board certified in Family Medicine. She received her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Granada after completing undergraduate studies in social work at Lehman College, City University of New York. Her post graduate training was at the University of Massachusetts, Worcester Family Medicine Program. In addition to training in all aspects of family medicine, Dr. Pierre has additional training in keeping patients healthy and treating chronic disease by helping them identify and replace unhealthy lifestyle choices with more positive ones as they are able.

Prior to joining Dryden Family Medicine, Dr. Pierre gained valuable experience practicing in New York City, and Watkins Glen. She has travelled to other states practicing urgent care for a national company and most recently practiced in Endicott, NY.

Originally from New York City, Dr. Pierre moved to Ithaca several years ago. She enjoys the natural beauty of this area and all it has to offer. Although she still enjoys traveling, she is delighted to be practicing close to home and looks forward to building lasting relationships in her local community.