Dear fellow Western New Yorkers,

Creating national-class hospital care for cardiovascular disease has been discussed in many circles for many years, and now a leadership role is being taken. Other than Roswell, the WNY community has not stepped forward to build state-of-the-art facilities in Buffalo for nearly 30 years.

We have heard the physicians’ frustration, watched patients vote with their feet by seeking care in other cities, and read the reports that do not list one Western New York hospital in the top 100 for cardiac care. The time has come to stop talking and take action to do the right thing for our community.

All of us, as Western New Yorkers, deserve national-class healthcare. And while we have had many opportunities over last few decades, our healthcare system has not been able to produce these results. That’s why we want to make this hospital a reality by working together with the New York State Department of Health and Kaleida Health.

The plan for a new state-of-the-art cardiac center is the first step toward bringing national-class care to WNY. ECMC is actively cooperating with the recommendations of the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century to ensure that we get the healthcare we deserve. We as a community should be concerned that New York State dollars will find their way downstate if action is not taken now.

The bottom line is that most of WNY’s outcomes are average compared with national standards. This is unacceptable and irresponsible. Let’s act now, before it’s too late.

Sincerely,

Michael Young
President, ECMC