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Great Lakes Health Receives $15 Million for Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Care

“This center provides an opportunity to develop better quality, consolidated programs of emergency, outpatient, and inpatient services with one focus: the patients.”–ECMC CEO Jody L. Lomeo.

continued on pgs. 4-5

A PUBLICATION OF ECMC CORPORATIONThe difference between healthcare and true care™

Grider FamilyHealth CenterOpens! pg. 8

ECMC Lifeline Foundation, SabresAlumni, First Niagara, unveil Mammography Buspgs. 6-7

PulseVolume 6; Issue 6 2012

New facility on ECMC Health Campus consolidates services

In This Issue

Pulse is a publication of the Public Relations/CommunicationsDepartment of ECMC Corporation. The article/photosubmission schedule is listed below. All submissions must bereceived as follows:

QUARTERLY SUBMISSION PUBLICATION* DUE DATES*January-February-March February 15thApril-May-June May 15thJuly-August-September August 15thOctober- November-December November 15th* ECMC Corp. Administration may require that this schedule change without notice.

Editor: Joseph B. Cirillo

Contributing Editor: Joseph R. Freeman

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE REQUIRED IN ELECTRONIC FORM(either as text in e-mail or as Microsoft Word files/attachments). Photographs must be forwarded as digitalfiles/scans and attached to e-mail or submitted on CDs or USB devices. ECMC Corporation and its PublicRelations/Communications Department reserves the right to accept, edit and/or decline submissions for publication.

Please direct all communications for this publication in digital form to: Joseph B. Cirillo at jcirillo@ecmc.edu

ECMC True Care Team competes atCorporate Challenge 2012 - pg. 12

Dr. Dietrich Jehle co-authors research study/article: “DeadlyDecision: Obese Drivers are Far LessLikely to Buckle Up” - pg. 13

ECMC Orthopaedic Joint Education Classes - pg. 13

ECMC Lifeline Foundation 2012 Events - pgs. 14-15

IDS Dedicated to Servingthe WNY Region - pg. 16

ECMC plays it’s part in helping theenvironment - pg. 16

Employee, Nurse, Volunter of theYear Awards - pgs. 17-19

ECMC Nurses Celebrate NationalNurses’ Week by Educating at the Galleria Mall - pg. 20

ECMC Nurses Celebrate Nurses’Week with Health Initiative in theCommunity - pg. 20

ECMC Presents Rising Leaders’Healthcare Day - pg. 20

ECMC Campus Growth – Progress Report - pg. 21

ECMC Staff of the Month - pgs. 22-23

ECMC teams-up for Kidney Walk - pg. 24

Farmers’ Market at Grider Opens for Season - pg. 24

ECMC Hosts MASH Camp - pg. 25

Volunteers Needed for High BloodPressure Research Studies - pg. 25

ECMC Staff Members and/or immediate relatives of Staff MembersServing in the Military - pg. 26

Jacqueline Wisniewski Memorial Trust Fund - Back Cover

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Message from ECMC Corp. CEO Jody L. Lomeo - pg. 3

COVER STORYGreat Lakes Health Receives $15 Million for Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Care - pgs. 4-5

ECMC Lifeline Foundation, Sabres Alumni, First Niagara, unveil Mammography Bus - pgs. 6-7

Grand Opening of ECMC’s “Grider Family Health Center” - pg. 8

ECMC receives American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines Gold Quality Achievement Award for Two Consecutive Years - pg. 9

Dr. Tisdale Appointed AttendingUrologist for ECMC - pg. 9

Mark Barabas receives AmericanCollege of Healthcare ExecutivesService Award - pg. 10

Kathi Mitri recognized with Pastoral Care Award - pg. 10

Nancy Becht provides health services in the Philippines - pg. 10

Dr. Izzo Recognized for Excellence inClinical Hypertension - pg. 11

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A Message from ECMC CEO Jody L. Lomeo Jody L. Lomeo

ECMC Corp. CEO

During this past summer, I have never been moreproud of the ECMC Family. It has been asummer that has tested us all and brought uscloser together as an organization.

We had the unspeakable tragedy of JackieWisniewski’s death and continue to mourn theloss of Jackie and pray for her family and friends.This horrible incident will never be forgotten. We learned a lot about the resilience anddedication of the ECMC Family, and I would liketo publicly thank all of our employees for theirunbelievable strength during this time.

ECMC also has had a very busy summer as moreand more patients choose to receive care at NewYork State’s number one Trauma Center. Wehave seen an increase in patients throughout theyear and this summer has challenged all of ourstaff as we have cared for this new influx ofpatients. Western New York is recognizing theexcellence ECMC has to offer and choosing toreceive their care from the experts that save lives every day. From our new Plastic andReconstructive program to our new Center forTransplantation and Kidney Care to our growingOrthopaedic program, ECMC continues to growand thrive.

added an employee Fitness Center. The FitnessCenter was donated by the ECMC LifelineFoundation with other large gifts from theMedical Dental Staff and Colucci and Gallaher,LLC. The project was also led by an ECMCEmployee Committee and built by ECMCemployees. It is a facility built by the ECMCemployees for the ECMC employees. I am alsohappy to announce that close to 1,000employees signed up to use the facility. I amhopeful that we will have a healthier workplaceand that the Fitness Center will also serve asanother place for us to come together as theECMC family.

I am proud and humbled to represent ECMC inthe community because of the great work doneby our staff everyday on behalf of our patients.

To accommodate this growth, ECMC’s Health Campus has been under considerableconstruction. One of our main goals has been to increase patient and employee parking. Weare in the process of resurfacing and expandingevery parking lot and we have added a 390space parking garage. We also have requestsinto the State of New York to increase oursurgical capacity and will soon be looking toexpand our office and outpatient clinical areas.Also, in order to serve the community better, wehave seen the addition of Dr. Antonia Redhead’spractice and the opening of a New Women andChildren’s outpatient office, both at the GriderFamily Health Center on our campus. Finally, we are also seeing the completion of the 390-bed Long Term Care facility on ourcampus, which is scheduled to open in Februaryof 2013. It is an exciting and busy time at ECMCand I truly appreciate all of our employees’dedication to our vision and most importantly toour patients.

We are continuing to make ECMC thehealthcare provider and the employer of choice.As another step toward that goal, we have

Jody L. Lomeo

Chief Executive Officer

ECMC Corporation

Cover story continued

Great Lakes Health Receives $15 Million for Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Care

On June 18, 2012, Great Lakes Healthannounced that New York’s Health Departmentapproved a $15 million grant to help Erie CountyMedical Center and Kaleida Health consolidatemental health and drug dependency treatmentin one $25 million Regional Behavioral HealthCenter of Excellence (COE) at ECMC.

The new center, announced as a concept Feb.13, 2012, is a physician-driven collaborationbetween ECMC and Kaleida. It will create astate-of-the-art, comprehensive psychiatricemergency program and new inpatient facilitiesto serve mental health patients in the WesternNew York community.

“The HEAL-NY grant will help us create aCenter of Excellence for Behavioral Health onthe ECMC Health Campus, create a new andimproved facility for the ComprehensivePsychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), andcontinue our collaborative relationship for thegood of our patients,” said Kaleida Presidentand CEO James R. Kaskie. “Collaborationcreates synergies and synergies get things done.”

“This is another tangible example of leveragingthe talents, infrastructure, clinical expertise of both ECMC and Kaleida to benefit ourcommunity and the patients we serve,” he added.

The consolidated model will combine theresources of the ECMC and Buffalo GeneralMedical Center behavioral health programs andwill create a single, 180-bed inpatient psychiatricprogram. It will also continue ECMC’s current22 detoxification beds and 20 inpatientchemical dependency rehabilitation beds.

The plan also calls for continuing ECMC’s and Kaleida’s Main Street outpatient clinics,along with clinics in Lancaster and NorthBuffalo. The state’s Healthcare Efficiency

and Affordability Law-21 [HEAL-NY] fundingsignificantly moves the project forward.

ECMC Corp. and Kaleida Health will fund theremaining $10 million. The new center, plannedto open in March 2014, would expand ECMC’scurrent emergency behavioral health facilitiesfrom 6,500 square feet to 18,000 square feet.

“This center provides an opportunity to developbetter quality, consolidated programs ofemergency, outpatient, and inpatient serviceswith one focus: the patients,” said ECMC CEOJody L. Lomeo. “It will be state-of-the-art, andwill deliver the care the mentally ill in ourcommunity deserve. That care will improve byhaving all our collective expert physicians andstaff in one place and this is another example ofthe success of Great Lakes Health.”

Mental health care in Western New York, like therest of the state, is fragmented and costly to thestate’s Medicaid payment system. In the last 20years, the Buffalo Psychiatric Center went from1,200 beds to 160 and the Gowanda Psychiatricand West Seneca Developmental centers closed, presenting challenges for the remaining providers.

Other inpatient facilities downsized or closed in recent years and while outpatient servicesexist, there is a lack of coordination amongcommunity providers. Psychiatrists are also in short supply throughout the region.

This combination of factors created a crisis formental health patients and their families inWestern New York. Mentally ill and chemically

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“The HEAL-NY grant will help us create a Center of Excellence for BehavioralHealth on the ECMC HealthCampus, create a new and improved facility for the Comprehensive PsychiatricEmergency Program (CPEP),and continue our collaborativerelationship for the good of our patients,” said Kaleida President and CEO James R. Kaskie. “Collaboration creates synergies and synergies get things done.”

ecmc.edu

New facility on ECMC Health Campus consolidates services

“The region has needed a Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health for years,”said Dr. Bakhai. “Not only dowe need to expand our facilitiesto meet the growing demand, we need to bring together the talents of the region to focus on creating a better model for our patients.”

“This project is solely about the needs of patients,” said Dr. Cartagena. “We recognize that creating exceptional quality care for ourpatients is not necessarily abouta particular location, but aboutthe dedication and expertise ofthe treatment team.”

dependent patients in crisis are, many times,forced to find care in crowded hospitalemergency rooms, which leads to more costlyepisodic inpatient care and unsafe conditions for clinical staff.

Dr. Yogesh Bakhai, ECMC Chief of Service ofPsychiatry and Dr. Maria Cartegena, MedicalDirector, Buffalo General's Department ofInpatient Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, will lead this initiative.

“The region has needed a Center of Excellencein Behavioral Health for years,” said Dr. Bakhai.“Not only do we need to expand our facilities tomeet the growing demand, we need to bringtogether the talents of the region to focus oncreating a better model for our patients.”

“This project is solely about the needs ofpatients,” said Dr. Cartagena. “We recognizethat creating exceptional quality care for ourpatients is not necessarily about a particularlocation, but about the dedication and expertiseof the treatment team.”

“As a regional center for psychiatric care, ECMChas the facility and the room to expand ourcomprehensive services. Additionally, this wouldallow us to bring the expertise of our physiciansand staff together with ECMC's experiencedphysicians and staff to create a truecollaborative effort. The development of acenter of excellence in psychiatry would mostdefinitely improve the quality of care forbehavioral health patients for generations to come.”

The integrated model will combine the currentoutpatient volumes of 44,300 annual visits atECMC and Kaleida’s 68,829 annual visits withservices provided onsite at ECMC and at itscommunity-based locations.

Currently, ECMC has 132 licensed inpatientpsychiatric beds with 2,297 discharges in 2011and 57 inpatient rehabilitation/detoxificationbeds with 1,621 discharges in 2011. BuffaloGeneral Medical Center has 91 licensedinpatient beds with 2,307 annual discharges.

This consolidation represents the third majorinitiative of the Great Lakes Health System to merge the services of ECMC and Kaleida. The first created the Regional Center ofExcellence for Transplantation & Kidney Care on ECMC’s campus, and the second being theGates Vascular Institute on the Buffalo NiagaraMedical Campus in collaboration with theUniversity at Buffalo, both HEAL-fundedinitiatives to restructure and right size theregion’s health care.

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On July 18th, Erie County Medical Center LifelineFoundation, First Niagara Financial Group andthe Buffalo Sabres Alumni today unveiled a busthat will convey two digital mammographymachines to underserved and under-testedwomen in all areas of Western New York.

With a combined $750,000 contribution fromFirst Niagara Financial Corp., the Sabres AlumniAssociation, and Erie County Medical CenterLifeline Foundation, the clinical operations of thebus will be managed by Western New YorkBreast Health, the practice of Dr. VivianLindfield located in Amherst. Erie CountyMedical Center Lifeline Foundation, which iscontributing to the purchase and operations ofbus, will be the owner and maintain the bus.

Western New York had the highest rate of newbreast cancer in Upstate New York, according toa 2010 report. In addition, Upstate New Yorkhad a higher breast cancer death rate per100,000 women in 2011 at 24.5 per year, thannationally, 24, statewide, 23.7, or in New YorkCity, 23.9, according to the Susan G. KomenFoundation of WNY.

All women will be welcome for mammographieson the bus. This includes those with insurance orthose covered by Medicaid or Medicare, as wellas the uninsured. Exams will require a

prescription, but women without a primary-carephysician can obtain a script at the bus.Appointments will be necessary and patients cancall 1-855 –go4pink (464-7465).

“This is a great community program that willactually save lives and the ECMC LifelineFoundation is thrilled to be a partner in,” saidJody L. Lomeo, ECMC’s CEO and FoundationBoard Member. “We hardly finished ourpresentation when the Sabres alumni and FirstNiagara said ‘yes’ and stepped up to fund this.We all know someone touched by breast cancerand we all want to see earlier diagnosis andtreatment.”

The bus will tour inner-city as well as rural areasof the region. The 45-foot bus will be parked atfestivals, health fairs, churches, and communitycenters to mention a few.

“Among our membership, we’ve had a numberof player wives, daughters, sisters and mothersaffected by breast cancer,” said director ofAlumni Relations for the Buffalo Sabres LarryPlayfair. “This is such a useful and meaningfuladdition to the tools the region brings to bear tohelp thwart this disease. We are committed tothis project, and will stay involved with itsgrowth.”

Brings breast cancer

screenings to the“never served”

ECMC Lifeline Foundation, Sabres Alumni, First Niagara, unveil Mammography Bus

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There are only a few dozen such buses in use invarious regions of the country. There is one forthe whole state of West Virginia and others inAlaska, southwest Florida, Arkansas, Michigan,southern Texas, coastal Connecticut and centralTennessee, and even one operating in Pakistan.One of the first started in 2004 in WesternWashington. That program added another in2008 to keep up with demand.

The program in West Virginia, which has thefifth-highest mortality rate from breast cancernationally, reached 400 women in 2009 and1,520 in 2011. The mammography bus isexpected to screen more than 1,500 in its firstyear and already has 300 patients scheduledover the first two months.

“We say the bus is for the “underserved”, it isreally for the “never-served”,” said John Koelmel,president and CEO of First Niagara. “We allknow that the key to surviving any cancer, butespecially breast cancer, is early detection andtreatment. What better way to provide this carethan by saying, ‘You can’t get to us?’ ‘Then we’llcome to you.’”

The bus also furthers ECMC’s commitment tothe inner-city neighborhoods around its HealthCampus. Although the breast cancer incidencerate is 17 percent lower in African-American

women than in white women, the mortality rateamong black women is 32 percent higher.

Moreover, the survival rate for breast cancer inAfrican American women is 75 percent,compared with 89 percent among whitewomen. Mammography screening reducesbreast cancer mortality by 35 percent to 50percent, according to the American CancerSociety.

Although 70 percent of white and AfricanAmerican women 40 years and older receivedmammograms in the last two years, only 54percent of African American women nationwidereported having a mammogram within the pastyear in accordance with American CancerSociety guidelines.

“My philosophy has always been aboutprevention, access to care, and providing a fullspectrum of care,” said Dr. Lindfield. “Breastcare in Western New York has been fragmentedand inaccessible for those in need. Today thatchanges.”

Dr. Vivian L. Lindfi eld,Founder, Medical Director of Western New York Breast Health;Medical Director, Breast Health Services at ECMC

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On May 24th, Erie County Medical Center(ECMC) Corporation officially opened anddedicated the Grider Family Health Center.Renovating and utilizing the building/space ofthe former tenant, ECMC Corp. owns and nowoperates the new primary care facility known as the Grider Family Health Center. The officialopening of the Grider Family Health Centerincluded an open house for residents living in adjacent neighborhoods to visit and tour the facility.

“Our new Grider Family Health Center furtheraddresses the primary care needs of residents in this community,” said Jody L. Lomeo, ChiefExecutive Officer, ECMC Corporation. “With a truly professional staff and access to the fullresources of ECMC, Grider Family Health Center is well equipped to care for the entirefamily and provide continuity of care throughour Medical Center.”

The Medical Director of the Grider Family HealthCenter is Antonia Redhead, M.D., AssociateProfessor of Family Medicine. The Grider FamilyHealth Center offers a full range of health careservices for patients of all ages, from care forexpectant mothers to pediatrics to the treatmentof acute and chronic illnesses. Appointmentschedules are flexible allowing patients withurgent needs to be seen on the same day orwithin 24 hours. A doctor is on call 24 hours aday and a nurse is always available to answerquestions by telephone during regular businesshours. The Center is designed with patientcomfort in mind, including a spacious andcomfortable waiting room area, plenty ofpatient examination rooms, and an easilyaccessible business office. New patients arewelcome.

The Grider Family Health Center is located on the north side of the ECMC Health Campus,accessible through the “Driveway #1” entranceoff of Grider Street. Individuals interested inobtaining more information about the GriderFamily Health Center and/or arranging anappointment should call 716-898-4449.

Grand Opening of ECMC’s “Grider Family Health Center”

ECMC Corp. CEO Jody Lomeo addressesaudience during 5/24/12 grand openingceremonies for ECMC's Grider Family Health Center.

Dr. Ranjit Singh, Associate Professor, FamilyMedicine, publicly welcomes Grider FamilyHealth Center Medical Director Dr. AntoniaRedhead to the ECMC and Family Medicine"family" during 5/24/12 grand opening.

Thomas Quatroche, PhD, Sr. Vice President,Marketing, Planning and Business Development,ECMC Corp., shares enthusiasm about the grandopening of the Grider Family Health Center andintroduces speakers during the May 24thopening.

Fr. Frances Mazur, Catholic Chaplain, PastoralCare, ECMC, opens the dedication ceremony withan invocation during the Grider Family HealthCenter event.

Surrounded by clinical and administrative staffmembers, Dr. Antonia Redhead, MedicalDirector of the Grider Family Health Center andAssociate Professor of Family Medicine, cuts theribbon to formally open ECMC's new primarycare facility located on the north side of theECMC Campus.

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Erie County Medical (ECMC) Corporationrecently received the Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure Gold Quality Achievement Awardfrom the American Heart Association. The recognition signifies that ECMC hasreached an aggressive goal of treating heartfailure patients with 85 percent compliance forat least 24 months to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American HeartAssociation/American College of Cardiologysecondary prevention guidelines for heart failurepatients. Get With The Guidelines is a qualityimprovement initiative that provides hospitalstaff with tools that follow proven evidence-based guidelines and procedures in caring for heart failure patients to prevent futurehospitalizations.

Under Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure,heart failure patients are started on aggressiverisk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors,aspirin, diuretics and anticoagulants while in the hospital. They also receive alcohol/drug use and thyroid management counseling as well as referrals for cardiac rehabilitation beforebeing discharged.

Britton E. Tisdale, MD, BScPhm, Canadianboard certified specialist (and American Board Eligible physician) in the treatment of genitourinary/urologic diseases, joined the ECMC Department of Urology as Attending Urologist.

Dr. Tisdale completed his surgery specialtytraining at McMaster University Faculty ofHealth Sciences in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,and is currently appointed as Assistant Professorof Urology at UB.

Dr. Tisdale completed additional fellowshiptraining, in male and female genitourinaryreconstruction at the Devine Center forGenitourinary Reconstruction in Norfolk,Virginia, at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

In addition to general and laparoscopic urology,Dr. Tisdale has a sub-specialty focus on thesurgical reconstruction and management ofmale urethral strictures, female pelvic prolapse,male and female incontinence, urinary fistulaand neuro-urology.

Dr. Tisdale has presented his research at thenational and international levels and has manypublished articles. He has co-authored a book chapter on the assessment and initialmanagement of urologic trauma in MedicalClinics of North America.

Dr. Tisdale is a member of the Royal College ofPhysicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Collegeof Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, theSociety of Genitourinary Reconstructive

Surgeons, the American Urological Associationand the Erie County Medical Society.

Areas of Expertise: urethral strictures; femalepelvic prolapse; male and female urinaryincontinence; urethral and bladder-vaginafistula; management of urinary tract inneurologically impaired patients; laparoscopicurologic surgery; voiding dysfunction, erectiledysfunction and general urology

Education and Training: Bachelor of Science inPharmacy – University of Toronto, Toronto,Ontario, Canada; M.D. – Queen’s UniversitySchool of Medicine, Kingston, Ontario, Canada;Surgery specialty training (Urology) – McMasterUniversity, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hamilton,Ontario, Canada; Subspecialty surgical training(Male and Female GenitourinaryReconstruction) – Eastern Virginia MedicalSchool, Norfolk, Virginia

“The full implementation of national heartfailure guideline recommended care is a criticalstep in preventing recurrent hospitalizations andprolonging the lives of heart failure patients,”said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., chair of the Get With The Guidelines National SteeringCommittee and director of the TeleStroke andAcute Stroke Services at Massachusetts GeneralHospital in Boston, Mass. “The goal of theAmerican Heart Association’s Get With TheGuidelines program is to help hospitals likeECMC implement appropriate evidence-basedcare and protocols that will reduce disability and the number of deaths in these patients.Published scientific studies are providing us with more and more evidence that Get With The Guidelines works. Patients are getting the right care they need when they need it. That’s resulting in improved survival.”

“For two consecutive years now, ECMC hasreceived the Gold Award. This award recognizesthe excellence in care that we deliver. ECMC’scare for heart failure patients is among the bestin the country. We intend to remain a leader inthe American Heart Association’s Get With TheGuidelines–Heart Failure program, which guidesour clinicians to continue to provide the very bestcare for our patients,” said Jody L. Lomeo, CEO,ECMC Corporation.

ECMC receives American Heart Association’sGet With The Guidelines Gold Quality Achievement Awardfor Two Consecutive YearsFeatured in Latest Edition of US News and World Report

Dr. Tisdale Appointed Attending Urologist for ECMC

Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure helpsECMC’s staff develop and implement acute and secondary prevention guideline processes.The program includes quality-improvementmeasures such as care maps, dischargeprotocols, standing orders and measurementtools. This quick and efficient use of guidelinetools will enable ECMC to improve the quality ofcare it provides heart failure patients, save livesand ultimately, reduce healthcare costs bylowering the recurrence of heart attacks.

According to the American Heart Association,about 5.7 million people suffer from heartfailure. Statistics also show that, each year,670,000 new cases are diagnosed and morethan 277,000 people will die of heart failure.

ABOUT GET WITH THE GUIDELINES:Get With The Guidelines® is the American HeartAssociation/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program thatempowers healthcare teams to save lives and reducehealthcare costs by helping hospitals follow evidence-based guidelines and recommendations.For more information, visit heart.org/quality.

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Congratulations to Mark C. Barabas, DHA,FACHE, President and Chief Operating Officer,ECMC Corporation, on achieving the AmericanCollege of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)Service Award. This achievement wascommemorated with a special pin and certificatepresented by his local chapter colleagues in July.Mark Barabas was honored for his commitmentto volunteer service to the healthcaremanagement profession, ACHE, and the areachapter. He was also recognized for his effortsto give back to the community, a hallmark of theACHE organization.

Mark Barabas is a senior healthcare executivewith over 30 years of comprehensive healthcareexperience, specializing in operations, theregulatory approval process, and hospitalaccreditation. For over five years at ECMC, hehas worked on numerous initiatives includingpreparation for the joint commission review andproviding administrative oversight for ECMC’sbuilding projects. He works extensively toaddress length of stay issues across all services

and serves as a consultant and accreditationinspector at hospitals across the country.

Mark Barabas is also the administrative leaderfor the Great Lakes Health System of WesternNew York consolidation of the ECMC andBuffalo General Hospital Regional Center ofExcellence for Transplantation & Kidney Care at ECMC, and the cardiovascular integrationtask force.

About The American College of HealthcareExecutives: ACHE is an international professionalsociety of more than 30,000 healthcare executiveswho lead our nation’s hospitals, healthcare systemsand other healthcare organizations. ACHE is knownfor its prestigious credentialing and educationalprograms and its annual Congress on HealthcareLeadership, which draws more than 4,500participants each year. ACHE is also known for itsjournal, the Journal of Healthcare Management, andmagazine, Healthcare Executive, as well asgroundbreaking research and career developmentand public policy programs.

Mark Barabas receives American College of Healthcare Executives Service Award

ECMC Corp. President and C.O.O. Mark C.Barabas, D.H.A., F.A.C.H.E.

On May 3rd, 2012, Kathi Mitri, Coordinator ofVolunteer Training and Development, ECMC,attended the Network of Religious CommunitiesAppreciation Dinner at the Hearthstone Manor where she was recognized with aReligious Community Service Award for PastoralCare at ECMC. Kathi has worked at ECMCsince 2000. She earned her Nursing degree in2004, and became Volunteer Coordinator in2005. She currently assists the Pastoral Care

Department as part of her duties. Kathi attendsCreekside Assembly of God Church in Amherstand has been a member there since 1977. She isactive in women’s ministries and sings with theworship team. She is also a member of the ErieCounty Victim Impact Panel and speaks outagainst drunk driving. Kathi is married to RickMitri and the mother of three daughters and a son. She also has one granddaughter.Congratulations to Kathi Mitri for such a great achievement! Kathi and Rick Mitri

Kathi Mitri recognized with Pastoral Care Award

Nancy Becht has been a nurse anesthetist atECMC since 1994. In late January, Nancy joinedthe Diocese of Joliet Peace and Social JusticeMinistry on a two week mission to providesurgical services to the poorest of the poor on the

island of Samar in the Philippines. This is theDiocese of Joliet’s 5th annual mission in EasternSamar.

Besides performing 118 surgeries, the team’sinternists and pediatricians saw 1,745 patients,performed medical consults and gave out over2,000 prescriptions. The group also consistedof a construction team which built two homes forthe needy in the area.

The group performed GYN (gynecology), ENT(otolaryngology) and general surgeries.Anesthesia was provided in a very differentsetting and with different, sometimes primitiveequipment from what is utilized here in the US.

The whole town comes together to help with themission, as this is the only time the hospital isable to perform these kinds of surgeries. Localvolunteers serve as hospital transporters andtranslators. Most of the hospital’s nursing staffduring these two weeks consisted of volunteernurses and nursing students.

“I have heard from many volunteer anesthesiaproviders that the overseas work may be difficult,but you get back so much goodwill andsatisfaction in return. I now understand whatthey mean and I would love to be able to be partof this team in the future,” stated Nancy Becht,CRNA, ECMC.

Nancy Becht provides health services in the Philippines

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Dr. Izzo is currently Professor of (Internal)Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and isChief of Clinical Pharmacology at the School ofMedicine and Biomedical Sciences, StateUniversity of New York at Buffalo. He is alsoChief of (Internal) Medicine at ECMC.

Dr. Izzo graduated from Princeton University in1968 with a degree in biochemistry and receivedhis M.D. from the Johns Hopkins University in1972. He completed an internal medicineinternship and residency at Barnes Hospital-Washington University in St. Louis, Missouribefore becoming a Staff Associate in theExperimental Therapeutics section of theHypertension-Endocrine Branch of the NationalHeart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda,Maryland from 1975-1979. After receivingBoard certification in Internal Medicine in 1977,he accepted his first faculty position as AssistantProfessor of Medicine at the University ofRochester, New York, where he was a SinsheimerScholar and Director of the HypertensionService. This experience led to Boardcertification as a Nephrologist in 1981 andpromotion to Associate Professor. In 1988, Dr.Izzo accepted the position of Chairman of theDepartment of Medicine, Millard Fillmore

Healthcare System, and was appointed to therank of Professor of Medicine at the StateUniversity of New York at Buffalo. Since 2004,Dr. Izzo has been Chief of Medicine at ECMC, amajor academic center and regional safety-nethospital. He has been recognized by his peers bybeing elected to Fellow status by the AmericanCollege of Physicians, the American HeartAssociation, and the American Society ofHypertension.

Dr. Izzo has a record of consistent service to themedical profession and the hypertensioncommunity. He has been both a member andChair of the Professional Education Committee,and a member of the Executive, Long-rangePlanning, Scientific Program, and Financecommittees of the Council on High BloodPressure Research of the American HeartAssociation. He was a member of theCoordinating Committee of the National HighBlood Pressure Education Program of theNational Heart, Lung, Blood Institute (NHLBI)from 1996 to 2008, where he contributed toJoint National Committee (JNC) VI, authoredthe 2000 Clinical Advisory Statement onsystolic hypertension, and served as co-authorand Executive Committee member for JNC VII.He is a founding member of the AmericanSociety of Hypertension and has been highlyactive in Society affairs, including serving asDirector, Treasurer, Inaugural Physician-Leaderof the Community Outreach Program, chair ofthe Finance Committee, and member of theExecutive, Long-range Planning, Finance, andContinuing Education committees. Recently, hehas worked with the New York State Departmentof Health to create its 2011 guideline for the careof hypertension in diverse populations and its2012 guideline for blood pressure care in child-bearing women. Other voluntary positions haveincluded appointment to the Cardio-renal DrugExpert Advisory Panel for the Food and DrugAdministration and the U.S. Pharmacopeia,

ad hoc study sections and intramural reviewpanels for the National Institutes of Health,grant review panels for the American HeartAssociation, and board member of the Researchfor Health in Erie County Foundation. Dr. Izzohas been on the Editorial Board for 10 differentjournals, including the Journal of the AmericanSociety of Hypertension and the Journal of ClinicalHypertension. He has reviewed manuscripts forover 30 journals and remains a member ofseveral other national and international medicalsocieties. In his University and hospitaladministrative capacity, Dr. Izzo was Vice Chairfor Research of the Department of Medicinefrom1999-2006 and has served on dozens ofother institutional committees. He remains anactively practicing physician, with clinicalcommitments as teaching attending in GeneralMedicine and consultant in hypertension andrelated diseases. He has been recognized forthese roles by Best Doctors in America, Who's Who in Science and Who’s Who.

Dr. Izzo has made broad academic contributionsas well. His research and scientific publicationsinclude over 225 scientific articles, monographs,and book chapters and he has been the senioreditor for all four editions of the American HeartAssociation's Hypertension Primer. His initialscientific research focused on the role of thesympathetic nervous system in systemichemodynamics, blood pressure control, andblood pressure variability. More recently, he hasbeen actively investigating the pathophysiologyof systolic hypertension and pulsatilehemodynamics with a focus on the interactingroles of large and small blood vessels in normaland abnormal pressure wave transmission, wavereflection characteristics, and central andperipheral blood pressure differences. He hasalso remained extremely active in thedevelopment of anti-hypertensive drugs andhypertension-related diagnostic and treatmentdevices, serving as principal investigator,executive committee member, or designconsultant in over 20 national and internationalmulti-center trials. His teaching efforts havespanned many different levels, including layaudiences, other health professionals, students,residents, fellows, and practicing physicians. Heserved as Program Director for the InternalMedicine residency from 1988-2001 and theFDA’s Pilot Clinical Pharmacology FellowTraining program from 1992-2002. He has beena Visiting Professor on more than 60 occasionsand has delivered hundreds of lectures onhypertension-related topics in the U.S. andabroad.

Dr. Joseph Izzo was therecipient of the 2012 MarvinMoser Clinical HypertensionAward. He was presented withthis award at the AmericanSociety of Hypertensionmeeting on May 21st, in New York City.

This award recognizesexcellence in clinicalhypertension, including directcare of patients, teaching ofphysicians and students,clinical research activities, andcommunity service.

Congratulations to Dr. Izzo forthis wonderful achievement!

Dr. Izzo Recognized for Excellence in Clinical Hypertension

Joseph L. Izzo Jr., MD

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ECMC True Care Team competes at Corporate Challenge 2012

The Corporate Challenge held June 7th, was an event filled withenjoyment for all. Thank you to all who participated, andcongratulations to our top finishers!

Our Top Finishers:Female:1. Tiffany Wilson – 26:352. Jennifer Shotwell – 29:253. Cortney Parzymieso – 30:114. Jennifer Cronkhite – 31:56

Male:1. John Costello – 23:572. Paul Beals – 24:273. Matthew Crehan-Higgins – 24:354. Richard Skomra – 24:53

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A new University at Buffalo study has found abehavior that puts obese drivers at greater risk of severe injury or death during motor vehiclecrashes. The UB study found that normalweight drivers are 67 percent more likely to wear a seatbelt than morbidly obese drivers.

“It's clear that not wearing a seatbelt isassociated with a higher chance of death,” says lead author Dietrich Jehle, MD, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the UB School ofMedicine and Biomedical Sciences and anEmergency Department physician at Erie

County Medical Center. “We hypothesized thatobese drivers were less likely to wear seatbeltsthan their normal weight counterparts.”

The finding comes from the same UBresearchers who in 2010 identified obesity as arisk factor for death in a study of 155,584 driversin severe auto crashes. In that study, they foundthat morbidly obese individuals are 56 percentmore likely to die in a crash than individuals ofnormal weight. The results of the current study,“Obesity and Seatbelt Use,” were presentedMay 10 in Chicago at the annual meeting of theSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine.

“We found that the relationship between theamount of obesity and seatbelt use was linear;

the more obese the driver, the less likely thatseatbelts were used,” says Jehle. “We need to dosomething, since one-third of the U.S.population is overweight (not obese) and one-third is considered obese,” Jehle says.

Co-authors with Jehle are Joseph Consiglio, agraduate student in the Department ofBiostatistics in the UB School of Public Healthand Health Professions; Jenna Karagianis, MD,an emergency medicine resident in the UBDepartment of Emergency Medicine; andGabrielle Jehle, a research student.

Excerpts extracted from article on UB website at:http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13389

“Finding comes from UB researchers who found in 2010 that obese people are more likely to die in a crash”

Dr. Dietrich Jehle co-authors research study/article: “DeadlyDecision: Obese Drivers are Far Less Likely to Buckle Up”

Since the beginning of this year, joint educationclasses have been held for orthopaedic patientsscheduled for joint replacement surgery. The purpose of the implementation of the pre-op joint replacement education class was toeducate the patients who are scheduled forsurgery so that they are mentally and physicallyprepared to undergo these procedures. Formany patients, surgery can be a concern causedby new faces, complex medical terms andunfamiliar surroundings. When patients areprepared by attending the class, they are much more likely to have a successful outcome. Pre-operative education also enhances theoverall comfort level of the patients, resulting in a positive patient experience.

The classes are taught by a collaborative,interdisciplinary team including LynneGolombek, RN, Charge Nurse 7 zone 1; GaryGerwitz, RRT, Respiratory Therapy; Sue Current,RPT, Physical Therapy; Kim Rassman, OTR,Occupational Therapy and Jason Yelder,Discharge Planning representative. Patientswho attend are able to interact with the staff,freely ask questions and have individualattention. They are able to actually see, touchand feel the various machines and equipment,discuss discharge plans and develop a clearunderstanding of their role in the recoveryprocess. Topics include instruction on how toprepare for surgery, what to expect during thehospital stay, advanced planning for post

hospital care, the role of physical/occupationaland respiratory therapy in the recovery process,and specialized equipment they may needfollowing surgery. Pain management, types,methods and the pain scale are also discussed.Since friends and family members play anintegral role in each patient’s recovery process,they too are welcomed to attend.

Pre-operative education plays a vital role inpatient outcomes that can be directly linked withenhancing the patient experience. Thesepatients typically experience improved surgicaloutcomes, reduced recovery times, and reducedpre-operative stress. We thank our experiencedorthopaedic surgeons at ECMC for their fullsupport in this endeavor.

Judith M. Haynes, RN, BSN is Unit Manager, 7th Floor, Zone 1

Submitted by Judith Haynes

ECMC Orthopaedic Joint Education Classes

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A new level of excellence in entertainment andfundraising was achieved in May by the ECMCLifeline Foundation at Springfest Gala 2012.From the red carpet champagne cocktailentrance to the Jim Beishline Quartet biddingguests adieu; not a detail was overlooked at the May 13th Gala at the Buffalo NiagaraConvention Center.

The Bobby Militello Quartet entertained nearly1,300 guests from the ECMC Community whilethey dined on a wide range of appetizersincluding a seafood buffet and shopped theextensive silent auction. Jody Johnston fromChannel 2 On Your Side graciously invitedeveryone to a gourmet dinner before bringing upECMC CEO Jody Lomeo to salute the evening’shonorees. Rita Rivers, RN, CNOR, and Dr. Philip Stegemann were each honored with aDistinguished Service Award. The honoreeshave dedicated their lives to demonstrating the difference between healthcare and true care toECMC patients and family members.

With a light show and fanfare, the MotownLegends took the stage for over 90 minutes,thrilling the crowd. The dance floor was filledfrom the very first song. The Commodoresthoroughly entertained with hits spanning theircareer, putting on a full concert performancebefore bringing down the house with theirclosing hit “Brick House.” With barely time tobreathe in-between, attention was moved to the second stage where Lance Diamond and the 24 Karat Band closed out the final hour ofthe evening.

Springfest Gala, presented by AT&T, raised overhalf a million dollars to support the life-savingmedical mission of ECMC; the largest singleLifeline fundraiser to date. Our heartfeltgratitude goes out to all our sponsors whopartnered with ECMC Lifeline Foundation tocreate an evening that won’t soon be forgotten!Mark your calendars now for Springfest Gala2013 on May 11th. We promise it will be an eventyou won’t want to miss!

ECMC Lifeline Foundation 2012 Events

Springfest Gala 2012

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Monday, July 23rd marked the date of the 10thannual “Rick & Genelle Shanor Memorial GolfTournament” at River Oaks Golf Course onGrand Island. The tournament annually raisesover $20,000 for kidney care. Proceeds willbenefit ECMC’s Regional Center of Excellencefor Transplantation and Kidney Care.

Rick Shanor and his wife Genelle died in a tragicboating accident. At the time, Genelle wasawaiting her second kidney transplant.

ECMC Lifeline Foundation 2012 Events

10th Annual Shanor Memorial Golf Tournament to Benefit ECMC Transplantation and Kidney Care

Date: September 29, 2012

Location: Delaware Park

Salute WNY’s Heroes while supporting thelifesaving medical services of ECMC. Join us forWNY Runs for Heroes, including a Healthwalkor sanctioned 5K Run around Delaware Park. A family friendly party caps-off our salute toWNY’s Firefighting and Law EnforcementProfessionals, Emergency Service Providers and ECMC Physicians & Nurses.

For more detailed information on ECMC LifelineFoundation events and sponsorship information,please contact Stacy Roeder as 898-5881 orsroeder@ecmc.edu.

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Demonstrating continued growth both in uniquepatient contacts and medical visits, ECMC’sImmunodeficiency Services (IDS) remains theregion’s Designated AIDS Center and continuesto grow to meet the area’s ever growing need forHIV specialty services.

Within the main office located at the TunnelLevel in the Medical Center and through threerural satellite clinics in Chautauqua andCattaraugus counties, IDS providescomprehensive medical care to 1,454 HIVpositive individuals – a 15% increase since 2009.These patients accounted for 6,664 clinic visitsin 2011.

In addition to their medical provider, patientsmeet with a pharmacist who provides educationon medication adherence and also assists theproviders in choosing the most appropriatemedication regimen for each patient’s treatment

and lifestyle. A nutritionist analyzes their currentdiet and makes recommendations on how theirhealth is impacted by it and potential areas ofimprovement. A medical social worker assesseshow their social needs impact their ability toadhere to medical care. When appropriate,patients are screened for a variety of researchprotocols.

“We don’t only treat the disease, we treat theperson,” said Ellen O’Brien, Program Manager,Immunodeficiency Services, ECMC. “With themultidisciplinary staff in the department, we areable to not only provide this, but provide it at alevel where patients are living long, productivelives and have quality of life. We are now at 95%retention rate. The staff members are truly someof the most dedicated, well educated andpatient-centered people I have ever workedwith.”

In addition to revenue generated throughmedical services, IDS is also supported by $1.3million in state and federal grants focused onmedication adherence, clinical education,treatment of individuals co-infected withHepatitis C, and expanded HIV diagnostictesting. Further, IDS is the region’s only recipientof funds through the Ryan White Care Act PartC, for early intervention services.

Beyond the services provided to HIV positiveindividuals, IDS operates a large diagnostictesting service. In 2011, 854 individuals receivedtesting through the walk-in rapid testing clinicwhich resulted in 14 individuals being diagnosedwith HIV. Additionally, support offered to therest of the ECMC patient population resulted in24 new diagnoses. All of those diagnosed HIVpositive were referred for services with IDS.

For further information or to schedule anappointment, please call 716-898-4119.

IDS Dedicated to Serving the WNY Region

Erie County Medical Center (ECMC)Corporation is continuing its sustainablesolutions for managing hospital waste thatinclude a strong focus on preventing carbonemissions by keeping plastic and cardboard outof landfills and decreasing regulated medicaland municipal waste volumes. After being thefirst in Buffalo to implement a pharmaceuticalwaste compliance program a year ago, ECMC isstriving to reach a goal of recycling almost onethird of total waste - a Practice Greenhealthindustry best practice.

The American healthcare sector accounts for 8percent of the U.S. carbon footprint, accordingto a study published in the Journal of the AmericanMedical Association1. The analysis found thathospitals are by far the largest contributor ofcarbon emissions in the healthcare sector.

“ECMC’s responsibility to our residents isn’t justabout improving the health of our patients. It’sabout promoting and supporting healthycommunities,” said Juan Santiago, assistant vicepresident of support and hospital services at ErieCounty Medical Center. “We are decreasing themedical center’s total impact on the environmentand helping to improve air quality, public healthand overall safety. This sustainable solutions

initiative is also designed for the hospital toreduce risk, increase compliance and maximizeoperational and financial efficiencies. It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” noted Santiago.

The recycling rate of the center’s total wastevolume has increased by 10%, while its municipalsolid waste has decreased the same amount.Carbon emissions are being reduced by usingreusable sharps containers for items such asneedles and scalpels. Each reusable containerkeeps an average of 600 disposable sharpscontainers from ending up in landfills. Last year,Erie County Medical Center prevented 39,592pounds of CO2 emissions by diverting 67,796pounds of plastic and 3,137 pounds of cardboardfrom the landfill. These numbers equate to notburning 2,039 gallons of gasoline2.

1 The University of Chicago, JAMA, December 2009

2 http://www.stericycle.com/carbon-footprint-estimator.html

ECMC plays it’s part in helping the environment

Mary Jozens-Dingeldey, Patient Access ServicesRepresentative at ECMC, was one of the winnersfrom the National Walk@Lunch Day held onWednesday, April 25th. She won an iPod offeredby Labor-Management Healthcare Fund(LMHF). Winners were selected from all groupsunder the County who participated in the walk.

ECMC Employee receives Grand Prize for NationalWalk@Lunch Day

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Kathy Coe has completed another successfulyear in her role as Coordinator of RehabServices, Youth for the Preschool Program ofPediatric Educational and Diagnostic Services.She has worked hard on the transition of theSpecial Education Itinerant Teachers fromcontractors to employees.

Kathy has also developed a new private payprogram, Kindergarten Boot Camp, which willrun three days per week for six weeks over thesummer. Kathy volunteers her own time to theprogram. In order to defray costs, she appliedfor and received financial assistance fromECMC’s Volunteer Board to buy supplies for thisprogram. She has a true passion and dedicationto her profession.

Michele Brenan cares deeply for the hospital,patients and staff. She is always striving to beefficient and cost effective. Michele carries aheavy workload, and because of her skills andexpertise, makes it look easy. She keeps thezones functioning with great efficiency that ismade very apparent when she is on vacation.

The patients love her and the staff admires andrespects her. She is an outstandingrepresentative for ECMC.

Sondra Schreiber’s dedication to her patientshas taken her far beyond simply dischargingpatients; she changes lives. She is able to seepatients’ full potential, even when patients havelost hope of achieving their goals. She willexplore every option to make those goals areality. Sondra advocates for her patients toanyone who can assist in meeting patientobjectives. Her quiet persistence and persuasionare very hard to refuse. She identifies andresolves issues, perhaps not directly tied to adischarge, but very much tied to patients’ abilityto remain independent.

Kathleen CoeCoordinator Youth & Preschool ProgramRehab Services

Employee of the Year

Michele Brenan Administrative Control ClerkPsychiatry

1st Honorable Mention

Sondra SchreiberSocial WorkerSkilled Nursing Facility

2nd Honorable Mention

Volunteer of the Year!

Angie Schwind joined the Volunteer Board in2002. She currently works in the gift shop andhas been serving as Treasurer for the VolunteerBoard since 2008. Since starting as Treasurer,Angie’s bookkeeping, fundraising andreinvesting has helped the Volunteer Board saveand raise money. Involved in all aspects of thefinances, Angie Schwind has been a real help inincreasing the assets of the Volunteer Board,which ultimately benefits patient care at ECMC.Thank you, Angie, for a job well done!

Angie SchwindVolunteer Board MemberVolunteer Services

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Julie Reinhardt, RN, provides and demonstratesexceptional nursing care on a daily basis atECMC. Julie utilizes the Transforming Care atthe Bedside (TCAB) model to ensure her patientcare delivery not only meets but exceedsacceptable standards. The TCAB model offeredthrough AF4Q (Aligning Forces for Quality) andthe RWJF (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)has been the model of care for the front-linenurses since 2009 for Julie on both a medicalstep-down unit and currently on a trauma step-down unit. The TCAB engages leaders at alllevels of the organization in quality and safety,nurse retention, and the patient/familyexperience.

Julie was the project lead for “Anywhere RN.”Julie realized that there must be an easier way toobtain medications. With research, sheidentified a computer based system, “AnywhereRN.” She worked with Pharmacy, nursing staff,and Administration to trial-purchase and rolloutthis program to the entire hospital. This is savingnursing time and patients can receive all of theirmedications in a more efficient manner.

Julie spearheaded other important projectsincluding those concerning infection control,elimination of pressure ulcers and medicationreports. Her desire to provide the patients theirmedication in a timely, efficient process hasassisted all nurses in the hospital in meeting thatgoal.

Julie maintains Advanced Cardiac Life Support(ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support(PALS) certification. She has recently taken theMedical Surgical Certification Course.

Julie has exceptional standards, and cares deeplyfor her patients and their families. She is the firstto help a patient who is having a clinical issue.She comforts distraught patient families that arehaving a difficult time in dealing with their lovedones.

Julie is a preceptor (teacher) and guides andmentors new staff members to standards,policies and procedures. Julie reviews policies so

that front-line staff that are operationalizing thepolicies have a voice on how care should bedelivered. Julie also takes a critical look whenthere are educational gaps. She assisted inliterature development, raising patientsatisfaction and implementing a comfort cart.Julie sits on an interdisciplinary pharmacy reviewteam. She provides that critical component ofknowledge and practice so that the voice of thefront-line staff is heard. She presents in a calm,engaging manner, and has assisted all astechnology and care come together.

Julie is a caring and supportive nurse to all of hercolleagues. She assists in a recognition board onher unit; when patients and families givecompliments, they are displayed. Julie realizedthe importance of health and wellness fornursing. Julie worked with Human Resourcesand Administration to start Zumba (adancercise class) for nursing staff on all shifts.Julie organized the team on the 7th Floor, Zone 2to complete the Corporate Challenge. A

number of staff members attended and had awonderful time completing the walk/run. Thisyear she has challenged other nursing units totake part and become involved, thus increasingretention and wellness for the nursing staff. Julieworked with staff in a multidisciplinary approachto have the assignment sheet electronicallydisplayed with each nurse’s picture so that theinterdisciplinary team (MDs, Therapists, etc.)and also the patients and families can see whichregistered nurses have their patients.

Julie sets an excellent example for her peers with:her work ethic; consistent enthusiasm forfacilitating and participating in a team effort toimprove the process and enjoyment of work;commitment to high standards of patient care;compassion toward patients, their families; andcamaraderie with her co-workers.

Julie is well-deserving to be chosen by theProfessional Nurses Association of WNY as this year’s Outstanding Staff Nurse.

Professional Nurses Association of WNY Outstanding Staff Nurse 2012 Winner Julie Reinhardt

Nurses of the Year!

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ECMC Nurse of Distinction Nominee Dawn Keleher Walters

Dawn Keleher Walters, MS, RN, Vice Presidentof Nursing and Rehabilitation Services, ECMCCorporation; Clinical Adjunct Faculty Member,SUNY at Buffalo School of Nursing, began her nursing career in 1985 in the TraumaRehabilitation Unit at ECMC, first as a nursingassistant and later as a Registered Nurse. Thislaid the foundation for many of her professionalachievements and her lifelong commitment topatient-centered care and those patients in needof rehabilitative services. Dawn’s core value thatpatients and their families’ needs must be themain focus of health care providers fuels herdedication to impact health care in innumerableways. These range from direct mentoring ofstaff to constructing new systems for optimalpatient outcomes and streamlined care delivery.

As a nurse, Dawn had a unique vantage point asshe fulfilled various positions that instilled in hera team approach. From first-hand experience,she understood and valued the contributioneach direct care employee brought to enhancinga patient’s hospitalization experience. Sherecognizes the unique understanding of whythings work or do not work. This varied clinicalpractice allowed her to gain insight in workflowredesign which was critical to her NursingInformatics role. She was instrumental in thedevelopment and implementation of ECMC’scomputerized medical record, the first to “go-live” in a hospital system in the WNY region. Her intricate knowledge of clinical informaticshas allowed ECMC to push through innovationsfrom scanning medications into the medicalrecord to providing concurrent qualityimprovement metrics that can be readily used topromote evidence-based practices. In the pastyear, the success and promise of ECMC andKaleida Health’s newly merged Regional Center ofExcellence for Transplantation and Kidney Care canbe attributed in part to her leadership andattention to detail in facility planning and caredelivery redesign.

As adjunct faculty to the SUNY at BuffaloSchool of Nursing, Dawn has lectured onrehabilitative nursing principles and clinicalinformatics. She was instrumental in developingtwo of the area’s first Dedicated Education Units(DEUs) which have enhanced student clinicalpracticum experience. In addition, Dawn hasassisted ECMC internally with the spread of“Transforming Care at The Bedside” or TCAB, anational program of the Robert Wood JohnsonFoundation and the IHI that engages leaders atall levels of the organization in quality andsafety, nurse retention, and the patient/familyexperience.

Dawn Walters has had both a direct and indirectimpact on the quality of nursing care throughher evidence-based practice and clinical systemredesign as well as her active involvement withthe community and numerous professionalorganizations. Her nomination for this awardsignifies the high professional regard of hercolleagues. Dawn's dedication to her profession,collegiality and commitment to patient-centeredcare will forever brandish her as an ECMC Nurseof Distinction.

Nurses of the Year!

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ECMC Nurses Celebrate National Nurses’ Week by Educating at the Galleria Mall

ECMC Nurses Celebrate Nurses’Week with HealthInitiative in theCommunity

On Saturday, May 5th, at the Walden GalleriaMall, a team of ECMC employees includingKaren Beckman, RN; Andrew Grzeskowiak, RN,Case Manager; and Paula Quesinberry, StrokeCoordinator, educated mall walkers andshoppers regarding the duties of nurses in honorof National Nurses’ Week.

An eight-foot long table displayed nursinghandouts, coloring books describing whatnurses do, individually wrapped Lifesavercandies, a computer slide show displayingECMC nurses, and ECMC pens and plastic cups.Information was additionally provided throughnursing stories and experiences shared by theECMC employees.

Next to the table was a six-foot tall ECMCposter that displayed the National Nurses Weektheme, “Nurses: Advocating, Leading, Caring,”as well as celebration dates, the NightingalePledge, places where nurses are employed andother interesting nursing information.

Those who stopped by the exhibit included manypeople from the general public, as well as retiredor disabled nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants,ECMC employees, nursing students, andKaleida employees.

Thank you to Karen Beckman, AndrewGrzeskowiak, and Paula Quesinberry foreducating the public about the duties of nursing and for representing ECMC in such apositive way!

ECMC Presents Rising Leaders’Healthcare DayOn April 25th, ECMC hosted a “Rising Leaders’Healthcare Day” for adults. The day consistedof tours of the new In-Patient Dialysis Center,and the Regional Center of Excellence forTransplantation and Kidney Care.

Participants learned from ECMC clinicalspecialists Lisa Keenan, PhD, Licensed HealthPsychologist, Rehabilitation Medicine; Stacey Lenhard, PT, Lead Physical Therapist,

Rehabilitation Medicine; and Brian Murray, MD, Chief Medical Officer.

After tours and presentations at ECMC,participants continued on their quest forinformation departing for Urban FamilyMedicine and Jericho Road Family Practice.

Rita Hubbard-Robinson, JD, Community HealthEducation and Outreach Director, ECMC,coordinated this event.

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Description: A five-story building containing a total of 390 Long Term CareFacility beds. There will be three floors with 96 skilled nursing beds each,one floor containing 66 sub-acute rehab beds, a 20-bed Ventilator Unit,and a 16-bed Behavioral Intervention Unit on the ground floor.

ECMC Campus Growth – Progress Report

Long Term Care Facility

ECMC Fitness CenterBuilt by Employees for Employees!

Special thanks to our Fitness Center donors: The ECMC Lifeline Foundation, the Medical/Dental Staff of ECMC, and Colucci & Gallaher P.C. Advisors and Advocates.

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ECMCNurse of the Month

Lindsey Blair, RN,graduated from GeneseeCommunity College (2005)prior to her start at ECMC.She began her nursing careeron a medical-surgical floorwhere she worked for two

years and then transferred to the Medical IntensiveCare Unit (MICU) where she has worked for sevenyears. While in the MICU, Lindsey consistentlydemonstrates strong critical care knowledge andskills. She is a frequent preceptor (teacher) andcharge relief nurse in the MICU. Lindseydemonstrates consistent professionalism and a strongteaching ability, with many compliments andcommendations from her students and staff/peers.Lindsey is married and has two children and returnedback to school to complete her Bachelor of Science inNursing at Daemen Nursing School (2010) whilemaintaining her strong work ethics. Currently,Lindsey is the Acting Unit Manager of the MICU for asix week interim. Lindsey exhibits strong leadershipskills and has been a positive impact to the MICU staffand the needs within the unit while transitioning to hernew role.

MayLindsey Blair

Maria Hyjek, NCC, initiallyworked in the Burn TreatmentCenter as a Staff Nurse andthen as a Nursing CareCoordinator supervising,staffing, and problem solvingon the weekends, and off

shifts. Currently she coordinates bed assignments onthe day shift to assist the throughput initiatives of thehospital. Maria’s disposition is consistent, easy-going,reliable, supportive, and thorough for any situationshe undertakes. Hospital staff relish working for her!

JuneMaria Hyjek

Jane F. Grzebinski, R.Ph.,Staff Pharmacist, PharmacyDepartment, has been astandout employee for over 20 years. She is the rock of thepharmacy department. She isdependable, always pleasant

to everyone she encounters. She is knowledgeable,and a pleasure to work with every single day. Inaddition to taking care of our Skilled Nursing floors forthe past several years, she is also counted on to do allthe various staffing duties in the inpatient pharmacy.She can handle any situation with integrity,composure and tact, no matter how stressful it gets.She has recently been elected to the PharmacyStandards Committee by her peers. Jane exemplifieswhat it means to be a health care professional, withpatients and co-workers.

AugustJane Grzebinski

Melody Gonez, HealthInformation Management(HIM) Technician, has beenwith ECMC since June of2006. She started as a clerkand went back to school forHealth Information

Technology. When she earned her degree, Melodywas promoted to an HIM Technician (2009). Melodyis always willing to do whatever is necessary to meetthe needs of her department. In addition to hernormal role coding Emergency Room accounts,Melody is always willing to cover staffing needs in amoment’s notice. Melody’s friendly and positiveattitude towards her co-workers and customers is atrue asset. She has always shown a willingness tolearn new tasks and proven herself to be reliable anddependable through the quality of her work as well asmaintaining exemplary time and attendancestandards throughout her career with ECMC.

JulyMelody Gonez

Shelly Davis, RN, has workedat ECMC for 10 years. She presently works in the Utilization ReviewDepartment and has beenacting as the health coach forMedicine A and B services

since 2011. She has embraced this role! Shelly worksclosely with the interdisciplinary team to identifypatients at risk for readmission and supports themduring their transition back home. She advocates forher patients to ensure that discharge plans are clearlycommunicated and feasible for them to carry out. Heractions support our patients and their families whenmany feel overwhelmed or anxious. Shelly identifiedhealth literacy as a contributing factor and worked todevelop a library of patient education tools to assistthem in understanding their conditions as well as theirtreatment plans. Shelly maintains closecommunication with her patients after discharge andidentifies any needs or barriers to resuming their pre-hospital level of function.

JulyShelly Davis

Susan Sponholz, RN, hasbeen a member of the ECMCteam since 1978. Her currentrole is ECMC Personal HealthNurse. In this role, Sue hasdemonstrated her acts ofcompassion and attentive

needs to our ECMC staff. Her professional,courteous, and calming demeanor is muchappreciated. While each of us each day strive to carefor the needs of our patients, Sue goes above andbeyond to ensure staff know their health needs aretaken care of and that staff needs are important.Congratulations, Sue, and thank you for your years of service.

AugustSusan Sponholz

ECMCEmployee

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Physical Therapist JulieBuono, PT, always treats herpatients in a friendly andprofessional manner. Herpatients enjoy their sessionsbecause Julie finds creativeexercises and activities that

challenge them to improve as quickly as possible. Sheis quick to smile and always puts her patients at easewith her calm demeanor. With her knowledge anddedication, she has earned the respect of her peers,patients, and the entire rehab staff.

JuneJulie Buono

Housekeeper Shelly Buntz isan integral member of theTrauma Intensive Care Unit(TICU) staff. She takes pridein her work, keeps the unit

looking spotless and is always looking for the nextthing that needs to be done. Shelly is very muchaware of the activities in the TICU. She neverhesitates to stop what she is doing and quicklyrespond to a request to accommodate patient care.Shelly always has a smile on her face and a goodattitude, both which tend to be contagious.

MayShelly Buntz

Naoma P. Allen earned herdegree as a Medical Secretaryat ECC and worked in thiscapacity at ECMC prior to herretirement. She joined theECMC Volunteer Board in2001 and previously served as

Vice President. Naoma currently works in the GiftShop and is in charge of monthly staff schedules. Shealso helps out with the blood mobiles as well as candyand flower sales. In October 2000, she was certifiedby the Bishop of Buffalo to distribute communion.She distributes communion to patients at ECMC.Thank you, Naoma, for your faithful service to us all!

MayNaoma Allen

Mike Etherington has asincere desire to help patientson the 9th Floor. He came toECMC as a Volunteer inFebruary 2011. Since then, hehas faithfully come in onFridays. He has assisted in

both individual and group situations. He has done agreat job and is always willing to take time to helpsomeone in need and share from his heart. Thanks toMike for a job well done!

JuneMike Etherington

Jim Chojnacki has been aVolunteer in CentralRegistration since May 2011.He is always courteous withpatients, answers theirquestions and directs them tothe appropriate areas. Jim is a

wonderful asset to the department and is liked bypatients and staff alike. We are very thankful for Jimand all he has done at ECMC.

JulyJim Chojnacki

Chaplain Zandra Lewis was raised and educated inBoston, MA. She graduatedfrom Lesley College, receivinga Bachelor’s degree in HumanServices. She later completedvarious ministerial studies and

is now an Elder in the church. She has grown to loveBuffalo, NY; the city of “Good Neighbors.” Zandravolunteers in the Pastoral Care Department at ECMC.She has been committed to visiting and praying forthose in need of an encouraging word. She enjoysbeing a help in her husband’s ministry. When not atECMC, she is a very active First Lady in her church—Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church—teachingSunday school, leading the woman’s ministry, praiseand worship, and organizing various events for thechurch and the Pastoral Care Department. ChaplainLewis is the proprietor of Azariah’s; a shop for ladieshats, accessories, and natural skin care products. Sheis active in the community and a supporter of thosefighting against violence and educating thoseaffected or infected by HIV/AIDS. Thanks, Zandra,for being a “good neighbor.” Keep up the good work!

AugustZandra Lewis

of the Month ECMCVolunteer of the Month

Volunteer Recognition LuncheonECMC volunteers celebrated their RecognitionLuncheon at Sonoma Grille on Saturday, April21st, 2012. A buffet luncheon was providedalong with awards and certificates given forachievements. Volunteers were entertained bythe jazz band “Chase the Demo” which did awonderful job. Thanks to all who participatedand who serve ECMC to help make it a betterplace. Anyone interested in volunteering cancontact Kathi Mitri at 898-3266.

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ECMC teams-up for Kidney Walk

The 2012 Northeast Kidney Foundation BuffaloKidney Walk took place June 3rd at DelawarePark. ECMC’s team was comprised of membersof the Regional Center of Excellence forTransplantation and Kidney Care.Administrative/Departmental representativesincluded ECMC CEO Jody Lomeo; ChiefMedical Officer Dr. Brian Murray; DialysisMedical Director Dr. Panesar; and Sr. VicePresident of Marketing, Planning and BusinessDevelopment Tom Quatroche. This team, withsupport of hospital employees, raised over

$3,200 in donations to locally support thoseafflicted with kidney disease and for diseaseprevention. There was also a dedicationceremony for a bench permanently placed in thepark donated by ECMC in memory of past andpresent patients and those families afflicted withkidney disease. The plaque on the bench reads,“To those past, present and future affected bykidney disease, and to the heroes who gave andwill give the gift of life. Dedicated by families,friends and the Kidney Support Group at ECMC.”

Farmers’ Market at Grider Opens for SeasonThe ECMC Farmers’ Market opened for its thirdseason on Friday, May 25th. The Farmers’Market at Grider has become an attraction forresidents, giving the Delavan-Griderneighborhood improved access to locally grownfresh produce, while promoting healthy eatingand lifestyles.

Opening day activities consisted of prayer led bylocal ministers from community churches; Lunchat the Market; Plant Day which allows customersthe opportunity to plant and take home a free‘garden in a bucket’ and get gardening tips fromthe Community Action Organization (CAO);local farmers selling their vegetables, plants and flowers; and homemade breads and baked goods.

Photos by Joe Mac, Toronto, CA

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ECMC Hosts MASH CampOn April 24th, ECMC hosted MASH Camp forthe Health Sciences Charter School. MASHCamp exposes students to real life workexperiences and allows them the uniqueopportunity to explore multiple careers in thehealthcare and bio-sciences industries.

The event consisted of an overview of customerservice, department tours, and careerpresentations from several ECMC employees.

Career presenters included: Joe Kabacinski,Assistant Director, Lab Administration; LynnWhitehead, RN; and Joe Morrell, Radiologist.The presenters discussed high school and collegepreparation and requirements for their positions,and shared various positions in theirdepartments, including those requiringcertification and/or two-year degrees.

Participants must have high blood pressure, but may be on blood pressure medication. This study will require 9 to 15 outpatient visits over 4 months. Free blood pressure medication, free blood tests & convenient free parking. Participants will be reimbursed for this study. * If interested please contact the office of Joseph L. Izzo Jr., M.D., at either

of the following numbers:

Peter Osmond: 716 898 5485Kelly Carazzolo: 716 898 5653

Volunteers Needed for High BloodPressure Research Studies

Are you or a family member currently serving in the military?CONSENTS: For any article to be published includinga person's name, etc., a completed and signed consentfor each person identified must be completed and mailed/delivered to:

If so, we would like to publish your/their name, line of service, location of station, and number of yearsin the military. Please E-MAIL TO: jcirillo@ecmc.edu

Joe CirilloDirector of Public Relations & CommunicationsERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION462 Grider Street, Third Floor AdministrationBuffalo, New York 1421526Pulse ecmc.edu

ECMC Staff Members and/or immediate relatives of Staff Members Serving in the Military

Kyle J. Brogcinski Meritoriously promoted United States Marine Corps. Afghanistan, Son of Kevin J. Brogcinski, to Corporal 1st Marines 3rd Light Armored Combat Outpost Payne, Electric Control Technician,

Reconnaissance Platoon Southern Helmand River Valley Plant Operations, ECMCCombat Engineer

Shawn Drzyzga Specialist U.S. Army: Recently Honorably Fort Campbell, KY Son of Laurie Drzyzga,Discharged after four years of service Hospital Police Officer, ECMC

Kathleen Fay Lieutenant U.S. Air Force, 914th Niagara Falls, NY On military leave from ECMC Colonel Aeromedical Staging Squadron & Bagram Airfield, Cardiac Care Unit

(Niagara Falls Airbase) and Afghanistan as Charge Nurse455th Expeditionary Medical Operation Squadron (Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan)

Dr. Kurt Von Fricken Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army Afghanistan ECMC Cardiothoracic Surgeon(LTC)

Micah J. Gray Lance Corporal U.S. Marines Basic Utilities Okinawa, Japan Son of David Gray, LPN, Comprehensive Electrical Engineer Generator Specialist Psychiatric Emergency

Program (CPEP), ECMC

Brett Harrison Senior Airman Niagara Falls 914th Security Forces Kirkuk, Iraq Son of Chuck Harrison Plant Operations, and Rose Harrison, RN, ECMC

Samantha Hoch Sergeant U.S. Army Niagara Falls, NY ECMC Main Lobby 277th Quartermaster Company Prima Pizza General Manager

and co-owner

Katherine A. Keleher Lance Corporal United States Marine Corps. Parris Island, SC Daughter of Kerry Keleher, Combat Correspondent/ LPN, Nurse ConsultantPhotographer Patient Advocacy, ECMC

Kevin J. Kuhn Platoon Sergeant United States Marine Corps. Camp Son of Donna Carr, RN,13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Pendleton, CA Patient Safety, ECMCMilitary Police Detachment Combat Logistics Battalion

Thomas W. Liebel Specialist U.S. Army Bamberg, Germany Son of Bruce Liebel, Director of Reimbursement, ECMC

Brian Payne Marine U.S. Marines Honorably Son of Shirley Csepegi, Discharged Unit Manager, Psychiatry, 4th

Floor, Zone 2

Steven Payne Reenlisted Recruiter U.S. Army Long Island, NY; Son of Shirley Csepegi,(previously Stationed in Unit Manager, Psychiatry, 4th Ft. Gordon, GA) Floor, Zone 2

Tim Payne Special Forces U.S. Army Injured in the line of duty in Son of Shirley Csepegi,Member Kandahar, Afghanistan on Unit Manager, Psychiatry, 4th

July 3, 2011 (see separate Floor, Zone 2article in this issue of Pulse)

Andrew Payne Specialist U.S. Army Vicenza, Italy Son of Shirley Csepegi, Unit(two deployments to Afghanistan) Manager, Psychiatry, 4th

Floor, Zone 2

Charles D. Schroeder Master Sergeant U.S. Air Force Reserves Most recent ECMC MRI Staff Member 914th Aerial Port Squadron's deployment to Bagram First Sergeant Airfield Afghanistan,

January 2010

Frank J.A. World Sergeant United States Marine Corp. Killed In Action April 1, 2010, Brother-in-law of 4/13/84 - 4/01/10 LAR Alpha Company, 2nd in Marjah, Afghanistan ECMC Hospital Public

Marine Division, Infantryman (while in 6th yr. of 8 yr. commitment) Safety Assistant Eric Smith

Joseph A. Master at Arms, U.S. Navy Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Son of Sandra R. Cutrona, Zaccagnino Jr. First Class Stationed aboard the Registered Health Information

USS Paul Hamilton DDG-60 Technician (RHIT)Erie County Home

NAME TITLE LINE OF SERVICE CURRENT STATION RELATIONSHIP TO ECMC AND/OR TO ECMC STAFF MEMBER

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On May 4, ECMC participated in a “CommunityBaby Shower” sponsored by The United Way.The United Way initiated the “Day of Action” for at-risk mothers; the organization asked thecommunity to donate essential baby items fornewborn babies to have a stronger start and thesupport they need to have a healthier beginning.Each year in Erie County, thousands of babiesare born into poverty. Each week in Erie County,eight infants are born to women receiving late orno prenatal care. Twenty-one babies are bornpre-term, 15 are low birth weight, and one willdie before age one. Thanks to everyone here atECMC, those numbers will hopefully decrease.

ECMC and United Way join for Community Baby Shower

There is something very neat about physicaltherapy that goes past the techniques of neuro-reprogramming and muscle hypertrophy. Eachperson in the hospital PT unit is unique andcarries subtle differences in the way they perceivetreatment and themselves going through it. Thisis very similar to chiropractic treatments thatfocus on “rebuilding the human machine” andgetting the dysfunctional parts to work normallyand the entire system in unison.

Rebuilding from trauma, whether it’s from anacute injury, surgery or some chronic deficit, canbe an exhausting process. At ECMC, thetherapists are not only doctors of physicaltherapy with minds full of kinesiology andphysiologic diagnostic information, but they areartists, coaches, and mentors. The superficialproblems are the smallest part of the process,controlled by the regeneration of damaged cells,strength of individual muscles and integrity ofspecific joints. The biggest piece of therehabilitation process is the patient themselves.While the body strives to heal and regainbalance, the faces of these patients tell the storyof those fighting themselves to remain motivatedand mentally engaged in their own well-being.

The Physical Therapist smiles and asks how eachpatient is doing, trying to delve into their mindsto gauge just how much they are going to getout of the patients today, and how much furtherthey can push them to extract what they need. Itis amazing how they are able to do this. Cuesappear to be the biggest tool utilized, “Chintucked, rib cage to pelvis…breathe.” Mixed in

are the words of encouragement andreinforcement, “Good job, that’s the way, goodwork”, as well as the occasional pat on the back.The patients respond to all of this. Patients growand exceed their own expectations andpotential.

At ECMC, I learned about the process ofnourishment. It is an important component thatis often times overlooked; overshadowed by theclinical process that lends to simply performingorthopedics, exams, and manipulations. Thepositivity doused any pessimism that may havelurked within the minds of any of the patientsabout their ability to overcome obstacles, andthe patients responded whether or not theyoriginally intended to do so. A man crippledwith chronic low back pain thought it wassomething he had to live with and accepted it.His eyes were opened through education andtreatment of his ailment. He labored as heentered, but left in a better place. Heunderstood now, he could be fixed, but it startedwith him. While the therapists worked on him,they coached him; they reinforced him bypouring water over the fire of self-pity and self-doubt.

Medicine is powerful and unique. I’ve learnedthat sometimes the best medicine is not througha pill, adjustment or modality, but deliveredthrough human connection and enlightenment.

Matthew Bauman graduated (May 2011) from theD'Youville College Chiropractic Program

ECMC Physical Therapy Rotation Reflectionby Matthew Bauman

ECMC Wins Bronzeand Merit Awards ECMC received four awards during the 2012Healthcare Advertising Awards. Started almost30 years ago, this awards program is seen as theoldest, largest and most widely respectedhealthcare advertising awards competitioncurrently in operation. With over 4,000 entries,a national panel of judges granted awards tothose entries that exemplified exceptionalquality, creativity and message effectiveness.

ECMC received Bronze Awards for “Dr. Lindfield& Nadine: 60 (second) TV Spot” as well as“That’s what true care means to me,” a printadvertisement series. ECMC also received MeritAwards for our TV spot series, “That’s what truecare means to me,” as well as “This is ECMCExpansion Video.”

Congratulations to ECMC, the Martin Group(ECMC’s advertising agency of record), andthanks to all who made these achievementspossible!

28PulseP-V6-I6-EXT

462 Grider StreetBuffalo, New York 14215

The difference between healthcare and true care™

ADULT REGIONAL TRAUMA/BURN CENTER

TRANSPLANTATION & KIDNEY CARE

PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

ORTHOPAEDICS

GENERAL/SAME DAY SURGERY

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

24/7 HEART CARE

PRIMARY/SPECIALTY CARE

LONG TERM CARE

REHABILITATION

ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICALCENTER (ECMC) CORPORATION: The ECMC Corporation includes an advancedacademic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatientbeds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatientspecialty care clinics and a long-term care facility.ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care,transplantation and rehabilitation and is a majorteaching facility for the University at Buffalo. MostECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists arededicated faculty members of the university and/ormembers of a private practice plan. More WesternNew York residents are choosing ECMC forexceptional patient care and customer service—the difference between healthcare and true care.

ECMC and the ECMC Lifeline Foundation have established a Trust Fund atFirst Niagara Bank for Jacqueline Wisiewski’s young son. Jackie was areceptionist in ECMC’s Behavioral Health Department.

Donations to the ECMC/Wisniewski Memorial trust Fund:

By Mail or In Person:ECMC Lifeline Foundation462 Grider Street, Suite G-1Buffalo, New York 14215

Message to the Wisniewski Family:

Online:www.ecmclifelinefoundation.orgCLICK ONWAYS TO GIVE then CLICK ON DONATE NOW button

NAME

ADDRESS:

CITY: STATE: ZIP:

Amount: $ Payment: Cash: Check: (Made payable to

Master Card Visa American Express ECMC/Wisniewski Memorial trust)

Card Number: Expiration Date:

Signature:

Please notify family of my donation

I wish my donation to remain anonymous

Bank Branches:Bring your donation to anyFIRST NIAGARAFINANCIAL GROUP BANK BRANCH in Western New York

Jacqueline Wisniewski Memorial Trust Fund

Clip at dotted line, fill out and mail to:ECMC Lifeline Foundation462 Grider Street, Suite G-1Buffalo, New York 14215

ecmc.edu

POSTMASTER; DATED MATERIALREQUESTED IN-HOME DELIVERY

AUGUST 29-30, 2012