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BUFFALO, NEW YORK; FEBRUARY 23, 2010-The Erie County Medical Center Corporation's board of directors reelected Sharon L. Hanson, a 13-year board member, to a second consecutive term as chair. 

By their vote, the board's decision confirmed that Ms. Hanson, manager of government affairs for Time Warner Cable in Buffalo, is successfully guiding the medical center's board/corporation. 

Ms. Hanson served on the ECMCC board of directors and the former board of managers since 1996.  During that time, Ms. Hanson chaired the board's Human Resources, Building and Grounds, and Performance Improvement committees; she also served on the Executive, Executive Compensation and Governance committees. Ms. Hanson is also a member of the ECMC Lifeline Foundation Board of Directors. 

Other board officers formally reelected for 2010, include: vice-presidents Kevin Cichocki D.C., CEO of Palladium Health Care, and Kevin Hogan, a partner at Phillips, Lytle; Michael A. Seaman, City of Buffalo Director of Treasury and Collections, as treasurer; Bethesda World Harvest International Church Bishop Michael A. Badger as secretary; ECMCC Chief Financial Officer Michael J. Sammarco, as assistant treasurer; and Patricia M. Grasha as assistant secretary. 

Ms. Hanson served in a variety of leadership positions in Buffalo and Erie County.  She was special projects coordinator at the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority for the Airport Improvement Project, which led to the new Greater Buffalo Niagara International Airport. 

Ms. Hanson also provided leadership at Resource Planning Associates as the project director for the Buffalo Minority Business Development Center, where she helped several minority and women business enterprises get started.  

Ms. Hanson is a graduate of Canisius College with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in English and Political Science.  She is also a graduate of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 1997 and the Dale Carnegie Classic Course.  She serves on the boards of directors/trustees of Trocaire College and the Evergreen Association.  Ms. Hanson is active in the community as a member of the NAACP, Women in Cable, and the Public Relations Society of America. 

Ms. Hanson received the NAACP 2009 Rufus Frasier Human Relations Award.  She was recognized by the National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York's with a community service/volunteerism award.  She also received honors from the ECMC Lifeline Foundation; Black Achievers in Industry; Everywoman Opportunity Center; YWCA Leader Luncheon; as Calvary Outstanding Woman of the Year; the YWCA Board of Directors; Minority Business Development Center; and Bethesda Full Gospel Church.  

Ms. Hanson has been recognized by VH1-Save the Music and the African American Women Community Builders of Western New York as Uncrowned Queen.  A lifelong Buffalo resident, she is a member of the Chapel at CrossPoint and a mother and grandmother. 

The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 40 outpatient specialty care clinics and the Erie County Home, a skilled nursing facility. ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, 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. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and customer service provided as a result of its Culture of Care. 

NEWS CONTACT:  Joe Cirillo at 716-898-4300 or jcirillo@ecmc.edu