Erie County Medical Center Opens All New Great Lakes Café

Modern customer-centric dining space provides diverse and nutritious culinary offerings

June 25, 2014 (Buffalo, NY) – Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation, a state-of-the-art regional medical center and health campus, recently unveiled an entirely new cafeteria now called the "Great Lakes Café," with a formal grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony held June 24th. The renovation, completed in partnership with Morrison Senior Living, the leader in food, nutrition and hospitality services for the senior living industry, marks the healthcare organizations’ latest strides to deliver quality, patient-centric experiences.

“Creating a positive atmosphere for our patients, their families and our staff is top priority,” said ECMC President/Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer Richard C. Cleland, MPA, FACHE, NHA. “We wanted our café to be as diverse as the people we serve, so having a range of nutritious dining options proved key. Equally important is having a sleek and modern space that enables interactive opportunities for engagement and great customer service.”

The newly renovated space includes updated flooring, lighting, tables, chairs and an overall fresh contemporary design, creating an inviting space for patients, staff and visitors. Culinary offerings at the new Great Lakes Café include the: 2.mato Italian cuisine, Create made-to-order concept, So Deli, Crips salad bar, Morrison Classic, Bake Shoppe by Rich Products Corporation and the all new Tex-Mex inspired Austin Grill.

“For us, the opportunity to help ECMC further its mission of providing top quality experiences for its patients has been greatly rewarding,” said President of Morrison Senior Living, Kevin Svagdis. “By extending their patient-centric approach into their dining offerings, ECMC is showcasing their depth and range as a healthcare partner. We wish them continued success with the Great Lakes Café and in their overall pursuit of excellence.”

About Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation: The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility. ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, and rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences—the difference between healthcare and true care™.

About Morrison Senior Living: Morrison Senior Living, a member of Compass Group North America, is the nation’s only company exclusively dedicated to providing food, nutrition and hospitality services to the senior living industry. Morrison has over 150 registered dietitians, 200 executive chefs, 400 hospitality associates and 7,000 professional food service team members. Actively committed to fostering ways to enjoy great-tasting, healthy food through socially responsible practices and superior customer service, the Atlanta-based company serves more than 450 senior living clients in 41 states, including some of the largest and most prominent senior living communities in the United States. Visit www.MorrisonSeniorLiving.com for more information.