Overview

We provide care in a warm inviting environment, where we listen to our patients and use our discussions to create customized, innovative care that works best for our patients.

Our physicians are trained in all the traditional vascular surgery and endovascular minimally invasive techniques so they can offer many alternatives. Our staff is trained at regular intervals as new techniques evolve so they can answer patient questions to the best of their ability. Our facilities are state-of-the-art, and we offer patients the option to undergo select minimally invasive procedures outside of the traditional hospital setting in our specialized procedure office, Access Care.

Dr. Richard Curl and Dr. Sonya Noor founded this practice in the fall of 2007 when they realized it was time to start an independent practice where patients came first. Dr. Curl had been in practice for 20 years at that point and was working primarily at Buffalo General Hospital where he would teach residents and fellows. Dr. Sonya Noor came to the University of Buffalo Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program where, during her fellowship training, she met Dr. Curl and they formed a close bond, as they had a similar passion for patient centric care. 

When Dr. Noor graduated from the program Dr. Curl offered her a position to join him as her partner at that time at Buffalo Medical Group. When she returned from additional endovascular training in Arizona she joined the group to realize they could practice medicine in a better environment.

They both wanted a culture where patients came first and employees were trusted and respected. Once they decided to start an independent practice, their staff moved with them without hesitation and the Buffalo Endovascular and Vascular Surgical Associates (BEVSA) practice was born. 2 doctors and 3 staff members started this practice which has now grown to three physicians, 3 vascular labs, 2 locations and 10 employees.

The vascular system is made up of arteries and veins. The arteries bring oxygenated blood from the heart to the different parts of the body and the veins return the blood to the heart. As one ages the arteries build up plaque, and blockages of the artery can cause less blood flow to the target organ. 

Vascular surgeons will work on the blockages of arteries everywhere except the heart and the brain. Diseases like diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure all accelerate this process. Smoking and lack of exercise  also accelerate blockages in the artery. When the blockages occur in the carotid artery they are known as carotid artery disease, when in the kidney arteries-renal artery disease, when in the legs-peripheral arterial disease.. Treatment of arterial disease can include minimally invasive balloon angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy or traditional open bypass or sometimes a combination of both called a hybrid procedure.

Arteries can also grow in size and the wall can become weak and may become prone to rupture which is called aneurysmal disease. Vascular surgeons will treat aneurysms everywhere except around the heart, and in the brain. Aneurysmal disease quite often is asymptomatic, but can be silent killers and therefore are dangerous. Aneurysms can be treated with minimally invasive techniques with a covered stent, or traditional open technique with resection or hybrid procedures.

Venous disease can involve the deep vein system where a clot can form and this is called deep venous thrombosis. Vascular surgeons will treat the veins to remove clot via minimally invasive dissolving, or open surgical techniques. They will also stent a compressed vein to improve circulation and swelling.

Superficial venous disease involves the veins over distending and becoming leaky and are called varicose veins, which can cause pain, tiredness and bleeding and can also be treated with minimally invasive or traditional techniques.

To learn more about each disease state, and treatments our vascular surgeons at BEVSA offer, click on the conditions or treatment tabs.

In 2008, Florida Panthers star forward Richard Zednick found himself in a freak and terrifying accident. During a game against the Sabres, Richard Zednick had his carotid artery sliced open by his teammates skate. This immediately became a life or death situation as 5 pints of blood began to spray out of his carotid artery onto the ice. Fortunately, team physicians and staff sprung into action and applied pressure to his severed artery and transported him to Buffalo General Hospital under the emergency care of vascular surgeon Dr. Sonya Noor.  Quickly, Dr. Noor and her partner, Dr. Richard Curl, performed surgery to reconnect Zednick’s carotid artery. After the hour-long procedure, Zednick was transported to the ICU for recovery and was discharged from the hospital a week after. Because of the lifesaving and timely care by the surgeons at BEVSA and additional medical staff, Richard Zednick survived his near-death experience and was back to playing hockey the following season.

Our surgeons mainly see patients and perform procedures at Buffalo General Hospital and our outpatient procedure center, Access Care Vascular. In addition, our surgeons have privileges to see patients at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, and Oshei Children's Hospital. For more information about Access Care Vascular, please visit https://accesscarevascular.com 

Our team at BEVSA prides themselves on their reputation in the WNY community and beyond. We have many awards including: Buffalo Spree’s Top Doctor, Top Vascular Surgeon, Patients Choice Award, On-Time Doctor Award, and Women of Distinction.