Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Volunteer Services Program at Amherst Senior Services Receives Award


Volunteer Services Program at Amherst Center for Senior Services Receives Network in Aging's 2012 Program of Excellence Award


Special volunteers from the Wednesday Community Service Club at the Amherst Center for Senior Services include from l to r: Beverly Zelanzy, Harriet Lindemann, Gloria Baltes, Faye Schmitt and Martha Gullo. These volunteers make hospital shirt covers which are donated to Amherst Adult Day Program and area nursing homes.  In addition, they knit hats and mittens for the Center’s “Giving Tree” effort each Christmas which is donated to young children at School #31 in the City of Buffalo

AmherstNew York – The Volunteer Services Program  at the Amherst Center for Senior Services was recently named the recipient of the Network in Aging's 2012 Program Award of Excellence. The award was presented at the Network in Aging’s 32nd Annual Meeting Conference held on November 1, 2012 at Samuel’s Grande Manor in Williamsville.
This impressive award recognized the 1,686 seniors who are a part of the Volunteer Services Program at the Amherst Center for Senior Services, which was established in 1962 with one of its main goals: “To enable members who want to give of themselves to work on community services projects, both in and out of the center.”
That has remained a top goal at the Center which has developed an outstanding Volunteer Services Program for the senior population of this community.  Members of the Center are always invited to be part of the Volunteer Program.  There is a dedicated team on staff at the Center who work with each senior, one-on-one, to make a volunteer placement happen.
“Many seniors don’t know where to start when it comes to volunteering and may not realize what valuable assets they could bring to a position,” noted Jodi Kwarta, Director of Volunteer Services at the Amherst Center for Senior Services.
New volunteers can choose to volunteer right at the Center where there are dozens of options ranging from positions at the Welcome Desk, Gift Shop and Audubon CafĂ©.  These volunteers are trained and spend time with current center volunteers “shadowing” them.  All volunteers are briefed in a positive code of conduct that emphasizes respect for diversity.
Volunteers may also choose to work at over 80 agencies in the community where relationships have already been established by the Center.  Staff connects new volunteers with an agency and gets the process underway.  These agencies include American Cancer Society, Buffalo Zoo, Literacy Volunteers, Niagara Frontier Radio Reading, Women & Children’s Hospital, Brothers of Mercy and Shea’s Performing Arts Center
These 1,686 senior performed over 96,490 hours of service in the community in 2011.  Based on current minimum wage, that represents $699,552.50 in savings to the community.  These volunteers bring amazing business and life experience to their volunteer work ~ making them far more valuable than any dollar amount. 
“You have changed my life,” Kwarta has heard countless times from volunteers who are enjoying their new purpose and renewed interest in life, thanks to their volunteer work.  The Center honors their volunteers annually at the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon which is held each May and coincides with National Older Americans Month.
The Network in Aging’s mission is to help members enhance their efforts to improve the quality of life for older persons and their families by providing them with opportunities for resource exchange, professional development, and stimulation of interdisciplinary collaboration. For more information, visitwww.networkinaging.com.
For more information or to join the Amherst Center for Senior Services, please call 636-3055 or visit www.amherst.ny.us

Thursday, November 8, 2012

New Era Gifts $1.5 Million to Push Phase I of Roswell Park’s ‘Making Room to Save Lives’ Campaign Over the Top


RPCI Moving Forward on Clinical Sciences Center Expansion in Fight Against Cancer
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.— Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) closed out the $40 million Phase I of  ‘Making Room to Save Lives: The Campaign to Build a Greater Roswell Park’ today with the announcement of a $1.5 million donation from New Era during a press conference held this morning at RPCI.

The ‘Making Room to Save Lives’ campaign is RPCI’s strategic initiative to continue to meet the needs of its rapidly growing patient population.  A prominent component is building an 11-story, 142,000 square-foot Clinical Sciences Center at Michigan and Carlton Streets in Buffalo.

“The need for Roswell Park services has continued to grow.  Over the past five years, we have seen a nearly 40% increase in patients and we have seen an almost 60% rise in outpatient appointments over the past decade,” said Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP, Roswell Park President and CEO.  “With New Era’s generous donation and that of previous major contributors, the new Clinical Sciences Center will allow us to meet the current and future needs of our patients," he said.

A supporter of cancer research, prevention and education as one of its four key platforms, New Era’s gift to Roswell Park continues a long tradition of philanthropy.

“At New Era, we strongly believe in giving back to the communities that we work and live in. One important way we do this is by engaging in partnerships and signature programs that focus on finding a cure for cancer," said Christopher Koch, CEO of New Era. "We have had a longstanding relationship with Roswell Park and are elated that we can help with their ongoing efforts."

Joined with the adjacent main hospital building via connecting bridges, the proposed RPCI Clinical Sciences Center will feature many expansion highlights including:
  • Breast Center
  • New Mammography Center
  • New Chemo-Infusion Clinic
  • Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic
  • Patient Education and Survivorship Programs to reach patients, caregivers, and family members
  • State-of-the-art office facilities and space for clinician-scientists to analyze data from clinical studies
A total of $40 million in Phase I has been raised by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation to support the building of the Center. Construction for Phase I is scheduled to begin in Spring 2013.  An additional $10 million will be raised in Phase II for the Center’s “build out” and shell space requirements.

Dr. Trump gave special credit and thanks for the fundraising success to the “Making Room to Save Lives” campaign committee and its co-chairs Donna M. Gioia and Scott Bieler.

The ‘Making Room to Save Lives’ campaign kicked off in June 2011 with a generous $10 million donation from the ‘Circle of 10’ – a collaborative $10 million gift from 10 well known business and philanthropic leaders in Western New York, including some Roswell Park patients, who each gifted $1 million. ‘Circle of 10’ members include:
  • Mr. Scott R. Bieler
  • The William and Nancy Gacioch Family
  • The Garman Family
  • Anne and Richard Gioia and Donna and Anthony Gioia
  • G. Wayne and Charline (Bunkie) Hawk
  • The Jacobs Family
  • Patrick P. Lee
  • Stanford and Judith Lipsey
  • Lawrence Minet, PhD
  • Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
In total, 435 donors contributed to Phase I of the ‘Making Room to Save Lives’ campaign including:
  • Margaret L. Wendt Foundation
  • Patrick P. Lee Foundation
  • First Niagara Foundation
  • Corning Foundation – Corning, N.Y.
  • James H. Cummings Foundation
  • Paul J. Koessler Foundation
  • Eastman Foundation
  • Ferguson Electric Foundation
  • Individual and anonymous donors
  • Faculty and staff at Roswell Park
More About the CSC
The CSC will house a new expanded Chemotherapy Clinic (doubling the size of the current Chemo Clinic) that will offer patients a picturesque view of Buffalo’s skyline; a Breast Center that will for the first time offer community mammography services; and a Patient Education/Survivorship Center for Roswell Park’s 31,000 patients and their families. The building’s presence also will allow many clinics and patient care areas to be expanded and renovated within the existing main hospital. For more information on RPCI’s ‘Making Room to Save Lives: The Campaign to Build a Greater Roswell Park’ campaign visit www.roswellpark.org/giving/donate/capital-campaign.  

Help Keep WNY Hospitals Supplied with Blood

Blood Shortage Downstate Prompts Unyts to be prepared to send supplies

November 8, 2012/Buffalo, NY—Hurricane Sandy disrupted the flow of blood in the NYC area. Though the needs of hospitals were met initially, many scheduled blood drives were forced to cancel, which depleted the blood supply to the point where a major recovery effort is now needed.

The New York Blood Center supplies the majority of blood in the Greater New York area. Like Unyts, the NYBC is a member of America’s Blood Centers. The facility was able to remain open, though an unprecedented disruption to blood supply is forcing a significant appeal for donors. Unyts, thanks to our generous blood donors, is poised to help downstate.

“As a member of America’s Blood Centers it is our responsibility to ensure that our partner Centers are able to provide a safe and adequate blood supply for their communities. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, please remember that the need for blood and platelets is constant. While WNY’s blood supply is sufficient to meet patient needs, we must to be ready to help out our fellow ABC members if needed”. Mark Simon, UNYTS President & CEO.

If you’ve never thought about donating blood before, NOW is the time…

Community Blood Service Locations:

Tonawanda Donation Center
96 Niagara Street
Tonawanda
 
Williamsville
Eastern Hills Mall
4545 Transit Road

Southgate Plaza Unyts Headquarters
1000 Union Road 110 Broadway
West Seneca Buffalo

*Please call 512.7940 or visit www.unyts.org to donate today!

Confused with Medicare Options? Senior Services can help...

Medicare Options Help from Erie County Department of Senior Services

Erie County Department of Senior Services encourages all seniors to understand the health insurance coverage they currently have, and to shop around for plans that may better fit their health needs, and save them money. The experts at Senior Services know what’s available locally, help people find their best options, and can help fill the gaps in Medicare coverage. Medicare enrollees are allowed to make changes to coverage before Dec. 7 during the Annual Enrollment Period.

Many Medicare beneficiaries never shop around for better Medicare coverage because they think they can’t save any money, are confused by Medicare options, or are unfamiliar with the prescription drug “donut hole.” Many people also aren’t aware of extra benefits for eligible individuals, including Medicare Savings Programs which help people with limited income pay for some or all of their Medicare costs, and Extra Help to pay for prescription drug costs.

Free of charge, Erie County Senior Services helps people with health insurance questions year round, but especially now during Medicare’s Open Enrollment encourages individuals to compare their options. Call (716) 858-7883, or many resources are on the website including comparison sheets of local Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplemental plans at http://www2.erie.gov/seniorservices/index.php?q=health-insurance.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Mercy Hospital 4th Annual Autumnal - The Meaning of Family

Mercy Hospital Foundation’s 4th Annual Autumnal To Benefit Hospital’s New Family Room

WHAT: This year’s 4th Annual Autumnal will celebrate the importance and meaning of family as its theme, while raising funds for a new Family Room at Mercy Hospital that will replace the current surgical waiting room. Bob and Ann Brady are serving as the 2012 Autumnal Event Chairs. Following a cocktail reception and gourmet dinner stations, guests will enjoy a concert by Buffalo Philharmonic violinists and father-daughter duo—Bob and Megan Prokes.

WHERE: The Roycroft Inn, 40 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY

WHEN: Friday, November 9; reception begins at 6:30 pm; program & remarks at 8:00 pm; followed by the concert

WHO: Scheduled to participate in a brief program are:

2012 Autumnal Chairs, Bob & Ann Brady;

Mercy Hospital President & CEO C. J. Urlaub;

Mercy Hospital Foundation President Gigi Ford;

Former Mercy Hospital patient Laura Rola and her family

About 200 people are expected to attend, including Catholic Health President & CEO Joe McDonald and several local community leaders and distinguished guests

BPO Violinists and father-daughter duo, Bob and Megan Prokes will perform.

Better Breathers Club


Catholic Health Sponsors Better Breathers Club
for People with Chronic Lung Disease 

Catholic Health, in conjunction with the American Lung Association, will sponsor a “Better Breathers Club” for people with chronic lung disease and their families. The club meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Catholic Health Education Center, Suite 48, in the Appletree Business Park, 2875 Union Road in Cheektowaga, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. The next meeting of the Better Breathers Club will be held on Tuesday, November 20.

Guest speakers Nicole Lozzi, Michael Giacotta, and Kara Zielger, fourth-year Pharmacy students from the University of Buffalo, will present “Understanding Your Pulmonary Medications.” They will be discussing different types of pulmonary medications, why it’s important to take breathing medications on a regular schedule, and how to use inhalers and spacers correctly. A question and answer period will follow the presentations.

The Better Breathers Club is free and provides support, education and socialization for people with chronic lung disease – such as COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis or lung cancer – and their families or caregivers. Participants will learn new skills, along with information on local resources and activities, to better manage their lung disease and improve their quality of life.  

For more information on the Better Breathers Club, or to register for the next meeting, call Catholic Health’s HealthConnection at 447-6205.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Homewatch CareGivers of Western New York Announces Local Winner of Family Caregiver of the Year Award

Gerald Meyer of Hamburg, NY Becomes Winner of Local Award

Williamsville, NY – November 5, 2012 – Homewatch CareGivers of Western New York, a part of the largest and most experienced international provider of home care services, announced the local winner for the company’s Family Caregiver of the Year award today. Gerald Meyer, age 76, of Hamburg was selected for his loving care of his wife, Shirley, age 72. As the local winner, Mr. Meyer will receive eight hours of respite care from Homewatch CareGivers of Western New York and a restaurant gift card in celebration of National Family Caregiver Month.

In 1992, Mrs. Meyer underwent radiation treatment for a brain tumor, which left her disabled with limited hearing and verbal skills. A case manager with Erie County Senior Services nominated Mr. Meyer for the award, detailing that Mr. Meyer assists his wife with everything from cooking and laundry to bathing and doctor’s visits. Mr. Meyer recently remodeled his bathroom to make it more accessible for caregiving responsibilities. In addition to caring for his wife’s extensive needs, he had to have surgery for carpel tunnel syndrome a few months ago. 

In considering the six nomination entries, Maureen Couche, parish nurse at St. Gregory the Great and one of three judges on the panel said, “Each story is so compelling for the need for respite. Ultimately, the endurance of 20 years of care seemed to override so many other things.” 

“This award, in its first year as a local offering, is designed for people like Mr. Meyer,” said William Gillick, owner of Homewatch CareGivers of Western New York. “As a company dedicated to providing the highest quality home care and helping families who need support providing home care to a loved one, we see the devotion, love and kindness family caregivers provide to their mothers, fathers, siblings, children and spouses. Gerald’s commitment and resilience in providing his wife’s care is a heart-warming and inspirational story.”

The eight hours of respite care provided by Homewatch CareGivers of Western New York will give Mr. Meyer some needed assistance and the comfort of knowing someone is there to provide exceptional care for his wife in his absence. 

The Family Caregiver of the Year winner was announced November 1st to celebrate the beginning of National Family Caregiver Month. For more information on Mr. Meyer or the contest, please contact Christina Bosilkovski at Homewatch CareGivers of Western New York, (716) 565-3103. For more information on Homewatch CareGivers, visit http://www.homewatchcaregivers.com/buffalo/home-care.aspx.

Founded in 1980, Homewatch CareGivers is a large and highly experienced international provider of full-service home care for people of all ages. Caregivers are triple-screened and continually trained and supervised by healthcare professionals to provide reliable, compassionate, and highly skilled services in companion, personal and comprehensive care. Home care services are personalized for each client and customized care plans are administered through an international network of 113 franchise owners with 191 territories in 36 U.S. states including 17 international territories. Each office is locally owned and dedicated to ensuring quality of life for clients and peace of mind for their loved ones. Call 1-800-777-9770, visitwww.homewatchcaregivers.com for company and caregiver information, or learn more at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSRiMuM2DA
For more information call Christina Bosilkovski, Homewatch CareGivers of Western New York at 716-565-3103 | cbosilkovski@homewatchcaregivers.com.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Seasonal Sweet Apple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie


Blended fruit and veggie drinks aren’t just for summer. Here’s a delicious combo to celebrate the fall season.

(FF)- It can be challenging to eat right any time, but especially during fall and the holidays, when the entire season seems filled with hearty meals, rich dishes and sweet treats. It’s okay to moderately splurge every now and then.  But, in the long run you will greatly benefit by making smart dietary decisions to ensure a healthy immune system during the fall and winter months.
Drink to Your Health
A simple way to enjoy a healthy season is to make sure you are eating nutrient-dense foods. These will help you produce increased energy levels and decrease cravings for seasonal junk foods, and provide you with greater overall wellness.
Sweet Apple Pumpkin Pie
An antioxidant-rich, protein-packed healthy dessert option so you can enjoy the flavors of the season guilt-free.
            1/4       cup organic silken tofu or organic Greek-style yogurt
            1/2       cup canned pumpkin or cooked fresh pumpkin
            1/2       apple (cut, cored, and seeds removed)
            1          tablespoon raw almond butter
                        Pinch of cinnamon
                        Pinch of ground cloves
            1–2      teaspoons pure maple syrup
            1          cup almond milk
Add ingredients to lblender and make your smoothie!

Nutrient Know-How
How many times have you read a list of nutrients on a food label, but not really known how each works to benefit your body? Following are some nutrient quick tips so you’re better informed during your next trip to the market.

Calcium — Essential for healthy teeth and bones; also important for muscle, nerve and some gland functions.
Iron — Necessary for healthy blood and normal cell functioning.
Magnesium — Needed for healthy bones; also involved in more than 300 enzymes.
Potassium — Helps maintain healthy blood pressure.
Vitamin A — Helps keep eyes and skin healthy; also helps protect against infections.
Vitamin C — Helps heal cuts and wounds; helps keep teeth and gums healthy, and helps iron absorption.
Folate (folic acid) — Helps the body form red blood cells.
Fiber — Helps reduce blood cholesterol and may lower risk of heart disease.

How Much Is a Cup?
To help you gauge how much produce you’re eating, here’s a quick look at what equals a cup:
—1 small apple
—1 large banana
—1 medium grapefruit
—1 large orange
—1 medium potato
—2 large or 3 medium plums
—12 baby carrots
—1 small wedge watermelon
—8 large strawberries
—2 large stalks celery
—1 medium pear

The NutriBullet emulsifies healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and grains into their most easily digestible state. Learn more at www.nutribullet.com.


Thursday, November 1, 2012

Eyeing a Hair-Raising Drug to Cure Baldness


A commonly prescribed glaucoma drug may be effective in treating male pattern baldness and other forms of alopecia.

If you're balding and want your hair to grow back, then here is some good news. A new research report appearing online in The FASEB Journal shows how the FDA-approved glaucoma drug, bimatoprost, causes human hair to regrow. It's been commercially available as a way to lengthen eyelashes, but these data are the first to show that it can actually grow human hair from the scalp.
To make this discovery, Valerie Randall and colleagues from the University of Bradford in England conducted three sets of experiments. Two involved human cells and the other involved mice. The tests on human cells involved using hair follicles growing in organ culture as well as those take directly from the human scalp. In both of these experiments, the scientists found that bimatoprost led to hair growth. The third set of experiments involved applying bimatoprost to the skin of bald spots on mice. As was the case with human cells, the drug caused hair to regrow.
"We hope this study will lead to the development of a new therapy for balding which should improve the quality of life for many people with hair loss," said Randall.  "Further research should increase our understanding of how hair follicles work and thereby allow new therapeutic approaches for many hair growth disorders."
Some in the scientific community believe this discovery could be the long-awaited follow up to Viagra that middle-aged men have been waiting for. Since the drug is already approved for human use and its safety profile is generally understood, it may be a promising discovery leading to another possible way to regrow hair.

Women & Children's Hospital and Roswell Park Plan New Integrated Hematology Oncology Unit

CENTER TO BE LOCATED IN NEW JOHN R. OISHEI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

BUFFALO, NY — In a collaboration that will enhance the quality of care for children with cancer, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) announced the first step toward building a physician-led, unified pediatric hematology-oncology program in the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital.

For over 40 years, the two healthcare systems have operated the pediatric hematology-oncology service for the Western New York region, with separate and complementary services offered at each hospital. With the planning for the new hospital well underway, Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Women & Children’s Hospital, a Kaleida Health facility, have initiated a physician-led planning process to develop a single center of excellence for pediatric inpatient/outpatient services.

The two institutions today signed a memorandum of understanding to plan the new center, which will be a dedicated floor of the John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. The future hospital will be located at Ellicott and High Streets on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

“We’ve been developing plans for enhancing our program under one roof for many years,” says Martin L. Brecher, MD, Chair of Pediatrics at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Chief of Hematology Oncology at Women & Children’s Hospital and Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University at Buffalo. “Each institution contributes unique expertise and services to children and young adults with cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, hemophilia and anemia. The new hospital presents a great opportunity to develop a true pediatric Center of Excellence.”

Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo is submitting its Certificate of Need (CON) application for the new hospital to the New York State Department of Health on November 2nd. Roswell Park anticipates submitting the Certificate of Need for the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Center by the end of the year.

“This partnership between the two organizations is an excellent example of the many opportunities the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is granting,” said Teresa Quattrin, MD, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Professor of Pediatrics, SUNY at Buffalo, and Pediatrician-in-Chief, Chief, Division of Endocrinology-Diabetes, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. “We look forward to continuing to create this integrated Hematology & Oncology Unit to further enhance the care provided to patients and their families throughout Western New York and beyond.”

It is anticipated that RPCI will hold a long-term lease for the Center and will be responsible for medical direction. Currently, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo provides specialty pediatric services essential to the care of these children including surgery, anesthesia, intensive care, and diagnostic imaging. Roswell Park provides oncology clinical leadership and services including radiation therapy, certain highly-specialized diagnostic services, blood and marrow transplants and clinical trials. The planned Center will continue to capitalize on the unique expertise of both institutions.

“In order to have an outstanding program for children with cancer and blood diseases, we need a very strong and comprehensive children’s hospital in partnership with a very strong and excellent cancer institute,” said James R. Kaskie, President and CEO of Kaleida Health. “Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital have joined forces in a collaborative model to further expand and improve the diagnosis, treatment and research programs available locally for children and their families who face this most difficult of diseases. Together, and in conjunction with the University at Buffalo academic programs, we will jointly operate a center of excellence for children with cancer and blood diseases where expert clinical services are provided, innovative and pioneering research is advanced to find a cure and improve treatment options, and current and future health care professionals are trained and educated.”

The proposed center will incorporate inpatient beds, an outpatient clinic, isolation beds for blood and bone marrow transplant/high-dose therapy patients, and infusion facilities for chemotherapy and blood products, all in a protected environment on the top floor of the new hospital.

“Management of cancer is best provided in facilities where hospital inpatient beds and outpatient facilities are in close proximity. The relocation of the children’s hospital to the medical campus provides the opportunity to pull together what have been two physically separate outpatient and inpatient units into a single, expanded service comprehensive facility to serve the needs of children of all ages with blood diseases and cancer. There are many advantages associated with the development of a single pediatric cancer center. The planning, implementation and operation of this facility is a complex endeavor that will require substantial time and effort on the part of our respective administrative leaders and clinical faculty,” says Donald L. Trump, MD, President and CEO of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Both institutions and their respective Boards of Directors recognize that the relocation of Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo to the medical campus presents a unique opportunity to take an excellent pediatric hematology oncology program and make it extraordinary by bringing all the services together in a new state-of-the-art hospital. Philanthropic support for the hospital and for the pediatric hematology oncology center will be required to make the program consolidation a reality.

About Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, a Kaleida Health facility and teaching hospital for the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is the regional center for comprehensive and state-of-the-art pediatric, neonatal, perinatal and obstetrical services in Western New York and beyond. For more information, please go online at www.wchob.org.

About Kaleida Health
Kaleida Health is the largest health care provider and largest private employer (9,500 employees) in Western New York. More than one million patient visits are recorded annually at the Buffalo General Medical Center, DeGraff Memorial Hospital, Gates Vascular Institute, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, plus the health system’s 90 clinics and health care centers. Kaleida Health operates HighPointe on Michigan and the DeGraff Memorial Hospital skilled nursing facility, plus the nation’s oldest – and original – Visiting Nursing Association. Kaleida Health also operates a major laboratory division as well as the Millard Fillmore Ambulatory Surgery Center. The organization is also affiliated with Great Lakes Health, the entity integrating Kaleida Health, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation and the University at Buffalo. Kaleida Health’s economic impact on Western New York exceeds $2.2 billion annually. For more information, go tohttp://www.kaleidahealth.org.