The Margaret L. Wendt Family Center to be Established at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

The Mercy Hospital Foundation received a grant for $375,000 from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation to complete a $500,000 renovation of the surgical waiting room at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo to be named The Margaret L. Wendt Family Center.

“The number of patients turning to Mercy for care has steadily increased, not only in the Emergency Department, but in our surgical services as well,” said Mercy Hospital President & CEO CJ Urlaub.

“Whether it’s a joyous occasion, such as the birth of a baby, an elective procedure, a medical emergency or major surgery, when you have a loved one in the operating room, it can be a stressful time. Mercy Hospital’s new surgical waiting room will provide a calm and comfortable environment for our patients’ families. We are grateful to the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation for making this possible.”

The Margaret L. Wendt Family Center will be transformed both physically and technologically. The physical renovations will include comfortable furnishings and a soft color palette to create a peaceful environment to reduce stress and anxiety. The technological renovations will give families the ability to confidentially track a patient’s progress, enabling them to get a cup of coffee, a bite to eat, or stretch their legs without worrying about missing an update from their loved one’s physician. Private consultation rooms will be added to enable doctors and family members to discuss patient care confidentially in an emotionally safe space.

Catholic Health recently announced the creation of a shared Corporate Development Team to raise the profile of philanthropic giving in support of the mission of Catholic Health. This resource will support the fundraising activities of Mercy Hospital Foundation as well as Sisters of Charity Hospital Foundation and its St. Joseph Fund; Kenmore Mercy Foundation; and the Continuing & Home Care Foundation.

The entire surgical waiting room project is being funded through donations to the Mercy Hospital Foundation including proceeds from its annual Autumnal charity event. The project will be completed this spring and located on the third floor of the hospital near the Mercy Tree Gift Shop and cafeteria to centralize care amenities at the hospital.