ECMC Foundation 29th Springfest Gala Breaks Attendance Record for Annual Event
Two Distinguished ECMC Healthcare Professionals honored during Largest Gala in WNY; Leadership Recognition presentations made to five philanthropic organizations for support of future Trauma Center/Emergency Department
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation and the ECMC Foundation on Saturday, May 12th presented Springfest 2018, the largest not-for-profit gala in Western New York, which drew over 1,750 guests – the largest gathering in the event’s history – from the business, medical, and ECMC communities for an evening of entertainment, fine dining and celebration. The annual event raised the highest gross in its history – over $1 million, which will benefit life-saving medical services at ECMC.
Presented by Pegula Sports and Entertainment, this year’s Springfest Gala honored the distinguished service of Mark J. Anders, MD, Director of Orthopaedic Trauma, Center for Orthopaedic Care at ECMC; and Clinical Associate Professor, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. and Sandra Lauer, BSN, RN, Director, Continuum of Care, Supportive Care and Palliative Medicine at ECMC.
Jonathan Dandes, Board of Directors Chair, ECMC Foundation said, “ECMC’s Springfest Gala celebrated the contributions of our two honorees, as well as the dedicated service of the thousands of caregivers that make ECMC so special. Over the past 100 years, ECMC has been home to extraordinarily talented physicians, nurses and support staff and this year’s honorees exemplify that tradition of healthcare excellence.”
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President & CEO, Erie County Medical Center Corp. said, “Every year at Springfest we gather to celebrate the care and compassion of our ECMC Family. The historic number of attendees, coupled with the over $1.1 donated at this event, demonstrates the impact these caregivers have on our community. We truly appreciate the community’s support as we build a new state-of-the-art Trauma Center and Emergency Department for Western New York.”
In addition to the event honorees, special Leadership Recognition presentations were made to five philanthropic organizations that have each donated $1 million to ECMC’s future Trauma Center/Emergency Department capital project: Seneca Diabetes Foundation, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, John R. Oishei Foundation, Russell J. Salvatore Foundation and Pegula Sports and Entertainment/Buffalo Bills Foundation.
All proceeds from the evening will benefit the lifesaving medical services of ECMC, Western New York’s only Regional Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, which is now being updated with a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will double the capacity of the existing facility and will be able to treat Western New Yorkers for generations to come and give patients, its care teams and members of the entire community greater access to world-class care. The Foundation also supports ECMC’s Regional Center of Excellence for Transplantation and Kidney Care; Regional Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health; the Russell J. Salvatore Orthopaedic Unit, the newest orthopaedic, physical medicine, and rehabilitation facility in Western New York; and the area’s only Mobile Mammography Coach; as well as numerous other ECMC initiatives that directly benefit the Western New York community.
Springfest Gala is proudly presented by Pegula Sports and Entertainment. Entertainment sponsor for the evening is Russell’s Steaks Chops & More. Platinum sponsors are: Great Lakes Medical Imaging, M&T Bank, and UBMD Physicians Group. Additional sponsors include: Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, Buffalo Bisons/Rich Entertainment, Dunn Tire, Kaleida Health, The Pike Company, Seneca Gaming Corporation, Seneca Diabetes Foundation, UBMD Orthopaedics, and Tom & Jodi Quatroche.
Mark J. Anders, MD (center) accepts ECMC 2018 Distinguished Physician Honoree Award from Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President & CEO, ECMC Corp. (left) and Jonathan A. Dandes, Chair, ECMC Corp. Board of Directors and ECMC Foundation (right).
Sandra Lauer, BSN, RN, (center) receives ECMC 2018 Distinguished Nurse Honoree Award from Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President & CEO, ECMC Corp. (left) and Jonathan A. Dandes, Chair, ECMC Corp. Board of Directors and ECMC Foundation (right).
Leadership Recognition presentations were made to five philanthropic organizations that have each donated $1 million to ECMC’s future Trauma Center/Emergency Department capital project (top, left to right): Russell J. Salvatore Foundation; The John R. Oishei Foundation; and (bottom, left to right): Seneca Diabetes Foundation; Pegula Sports and Entertainment/Buffalo Bills Foundation; BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.
ABOUT ECMC FOUNDATION: From life-saving surgery for trauma patients to the extra support that makes a difficult time easier for visiting families, ECMC offers true care at every level. ECMC Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, enhances what ECMC offers to our patients and community, secures the resources that make all the difference, and takes on initiatives to financially support the life-saving work of ECMC. As our community hospital, ECMC serves a range of patients and families across Western New York. Through generous community support and building connections throughout our region, the Foundation strives to make more possible for our patients, their families, and our community.
ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (ECMC) CORPORATION: The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 593 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 a Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, a regional center for burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, medical oncology and head & neck cancer care, rehabilitation and 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™.