Bio

Dr. Angela Primbas is a board-certified, fellowship-trained internal medicine doctor with Stanford Health Care. She is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Primary Care and Population Health at Stanford University School of Medicine.

As part of Stanford Concierge Medicine, Dr. Primbas provides individualized primary care built on a strong patient-provider relationship. She specializes in geriatric medicine and is experienced in both inpatient and outpatient primary care settings. She is especially interested in providing preventive care and treating health concerns related to healthy aging, longevity, bone health, and postmenopausal aging.

In every aspect of her practice, Dr. Primbas emphasizes compassionate care, taking the time to listen to and understand each person’s needs. She is also passionate about working with medically underserved populations, including individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.

Dr. Primbas studies how health systems can improve their approach and training to serve marginalized groups better. She also focuses on enhancing medical education for students and residents. Dr. Primbas cofounded Stanford Ambulatory Care Excellence, a program that supports internal medicine residents with opportunities to improve the skills needed to provide excellent primary care. She has also created and taught curricula on geriatrics, healthy aging, osteoporosis, and LGBTQ+ health.

Dr. Primbas has published her research in peer-reviewed journals, including AIDS Care, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, and Journal of Investigative Medicine. She has also written book chapters about LGBTQ+ health in older adults, published in Clinics in Geriatric Medicine and Geriatric Review Syllabus, and on the diagnosis and management of headaches in older patients. As an advocate and collaborator, Dr. Primbas has shared her research and medical expertise around the world, including at meetings of the American Geriatrics Society, the American College of Physicians, and the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care.

Dr. Primbas is a member of the American College of Physicians and American Geriatrics Society.

Clinical Focus

  • Internal Medicine
  • Geriatric Medicine

Academic Appointments

Honors & Awards

  • Endowed Scholarship Recipient, Durward A. Huckabay, M.D. (2014, 2015, 2016)
  • Inductee, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
  • Medical Student Research Training Program Grant Recipient, University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Resident Leader, Ambulatory Care Excellence Program, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Resident Leader, LGBTQ+ Health Curriculum, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Student Professionalism Award, University of Washington
  • Service Award Recipient, University of Washington (2014, 2015, 2016)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Member, American College of Physicians (2021 - Present)
  • Member, American Geriatrics Society (2021 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine (2023)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2022)
  • Fellowship: UCSF Geriatric Medicine Fellowship (2022) CA
  • Residency: Stanford University Internal Medicine Residency (2021) CA
  • Medical Education: University of Washington School of Medicine (2018) WA
  • Bachelor of Arts, Harvard University (2012)

Contact

  • Academic
    aprimbas@stanford.edu
    Department: Med/Primary Care and Population Health Position: Clinical Assistant Professor
  • Clinical (Primary)  Stanford Concierge and Executive Medicine 3301 El Camino Real Ste 220 MC 5358 Atherton, CA 94027 (650) 736-5380 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 5702

All Publications

  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Health Burton , C., Primbas , A. Geriatric Review Syllabus. 2025

    Abstract

    Editors: Harper GM, Lyons W, Potter J.

  • Lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer intersex+ (LGBTQI+) health Geriatrics Review Syllabus: A Core Curriculum in Geriatric Medicine Burton, C. H., Primbas, A. D. American Geriatrics Society. 2025; 12
  • Medical Issues Affecting Older Lesbian and Bisexual Women CLINICS IN GERIATRIC MEDICINE Primbas, A. D., Ogawa, A. 2024; 40 (2): 251-260

    Abstract

    Lesbian and bisexual (LB) women are a growing and understudied population in the United States. LB women have unique histories and health experiences and encounter numerous resource and health care disparities that impact healthy aging. Despite LB population growth, little research has investigated the experiences of LB women separately from the broader lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, or another diverse gender identity (LGBTQ+) community. The research that does exist largely focuses on the experiences of younger LB women. Nonetheless, there are unique care considerations providers can enact to improve clinical care and address lifetimes of disparities and discrimination.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cger.2023.12.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 001217975800001

    View details for PubMedID 38521596

  • Special Considerations for Headache Diagnosis and Treatment in the Geriatric Patient Comorbid Conditions in the Treatment of Headache Primbas, A. D. 2024: 19
  • Sexual and gender minority health-related content in geriatric fellowships JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY Burton, C., van Zuilen, M. H., Primbas, A., Young, M. E., Swartz, K., Colburn, J., Kumar, C., Klomhaus, A., Chippendale, R., Streed Jr, C. G. 2024; 72 (3): 866-874

    Abstract

    Despite a growing number of older lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) adults in the United States, education on care for this vulnerable population has historically been inadequate across all levels of training. This research assessed the extent of LGBTQ education in geriatric medicine fellowship curricula across the United States.We designed a survey to anonymously collect information from geriatric medicine fellowship programs on LGBTQ curricular content. Eligible participants included all 160 fellowship directors on record with the American Geriatrics Society. The survey addressed demographics of the fellowship program, current state of inclusion of LGBTQ content in didactic curricula and in clinical settings, and other available training opportunities.Out of those contacted, 80 (50%) completed the survey. Of the programs surveyed, 60 (75%) were housed in internal medicine, 19 (24%) were in family medicine, and one was in their own department. Forty-seven fellowships (59%) reported some formal didactic session (e.g., lecture or case based), with the majority of these programs (72%) featuring 1-2 h of formal instruction. Forty-five programs (56%) reported offering no formal clinical experiences. There was less than 50% coverage for all surveyed topics in the required curriculum (range 46% for discrimination to 9% for gender affirming care). Time and lack of expertise were cited as the main barriers to content inclusion.Curricular content regarding care for LGBTQ older adults is inadequate in geriatric medicine fellowships. Faculty development of current educators and providing standardized guidelines and curricula are steps toward addressing this deficit.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/jgs.18563

    View details for Web of Science ID 001067003500001

    View details for PubMedID 37710405

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC11642707

  • Linkage to care after HIV diagnosis among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru. AIDS care Primbas, A. D., White, E., Long, J. E., Wilson, J., Pasalar, S., Sanchez, H., Cabello, R. L., Sanchez, J., Meneses, G., Villaran, M. V., Lama, J. R., Duerr, A. 2021: 1-5

    Abstract

    In Lima, Peru, HIV prevalence is estimated to be 15% among men who have sex with men (MSM) and 30% among transgender women (TW). We investigated timely linkage of MSM and TW to HIV care, as linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical to protect the health of those living with HIV and to prevent onward transmission. We investigated linkage within 90 days of HIV diagnosis by matching data from two studies conducted in Lima between 2013 and 2015 to national ART program records. We used generalized linear modeling to assess predictors of timely linkage and late presentation to care. Of 487 newly-diagnosed MSM and TW, only 44% presented for care at an HIV clinic within 90 days. Timely linkage was less common among TW (aPR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0), those younger than 24 (aPR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6-1.0), and those reporting a history of sex work (aPR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.9). Proximity to an ART program clinic was not associated with linkage; most participants linked to clinics offering "LGBTQ-friendly" care. The pattern of clinics selected by participants suggests the importance of concerns about confidentiality and stigma in decision-making about where to link to care.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/09540121.2021.1929818

    View details for PubMedID 34011233

  • Impact of pre-diagnosis awareness of HIV-related stigma and dispositional coping on linkage to HIV care among newly diagnosed HIV plus Peruvian patients AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV Molina, Y., Ulrich, A., Greer, A. C., Primbas, A., Wandell, G., Sanchez, H., Bain, C., Konda, K. A., Clark, J. L., De la Grecca, R., Villaran, M. V., Pasalar, S., Lama, J. R., Duerr, A. C. 2019; 31 (7): 848–56

    View details for DOI 10.1080/09540121.2018.1563282

    View details for Web of Science ID 000467746400010

  • Impact of pre-diagnosis awareness of HIV-related stigma and dispositional coping on linkage to HIV care among newly diagnosed HIV+ Peruvian patients. AIDS care Molina, Y., Ulrich, A., Greer, A. C., Primbas, A., Wandell, G., Sanchez, H., Bain, C., Konda, K. A., Clark, J. L., De la Grecca, R., Villaran, M. V., Pasalar, S., Lama, J. R., Duerr, A. C. 2019: 1–9

    Abstract

    A substantial body of literature has characterized how psychosocial factors, including HIV-related stigma and coping, are associated with HIV testing and HIV care utilization post-diagnosis. Less is known about if certain psychosocial characteristics pre-diagnosis may also predict linkage to care among individuals who receive an HIV-positive diagnosis. We examined if pre-diagnosis awareness/perception about HIV-related stigma and dispositional coping styles predicted linkage to HIV care within three months post-diagnosis with a secondary analysis of 604 patients from a randomized controlled trial (Sabes Study). Awareness/perception about HIV-related stigma, dispositional maladaptive and adaptive coping were measured before patients underwent an HIV test. Linkage to care was measured as receipt of care within three months of receiving the diagnosis. After adjusting for covariates, individuals who reported greater dispositional maladaptive coping pre-diagnosis had lower odds of linking to care, OR=0.82, 95%CI [0.67, 1.00], p=.05. There was also a non-significant inverse association between dispositional adaptive coping pre-diagnosis and linkage to care. These preliminary data suggest the need for further longitudinal research and highlight the potential utility of pre-diagnosis psychosocial assessment and tailored counseling when providing positive HIV diagnosis results.

    View details for PubMedID 30616376

  • IDENTIFYING MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AND TRANSGENDER WOMEN WHO HAVE POOR LINKAGE TO HIV CARE IN LIMA, PERU Primbas, A., Villaran, M., Duerr, A. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2016: 278-279

    View details for DOI 10.1136/jim-d-15-00013.331

    View details for Web of Science ID 000368699600340