Physician Liaison opening doors at ECMC

As Executive Director of Physician Relations / Physician Liaison for ECMC, William Gajewski serves as an active voice for patients and physicians throughout Western New York, sharing their concerns with top administration at ECMC as part of a vital community outreach program. Bill also serves as a conduit within ECMC, addressing the day-to-day concerns of the professional staff as they relate to the goals of the administration.

Working with Western New York physicians

Bill is particularly interested in the expansion of physician referrals to ECMC. Meeting with physician groups such as the Buffalo Medical Group, Southgate Medical and others, Bill explains the advantages of ECMC to both the physicians and their patients.

“I want those community physicians who now send their patients to Buffalo General or the Catholic Health System to bring them here,” says Bill. “I find out what their issues are, what they need to know about our capabilities and services, and have them start bringing their patients to us. In many cases, they have been waiting for someone from the hospital to approach them and explain why their patients should be referred to ECMC. The biggest issue for these physicians is that they want to be assured of our quality of care.”

Bill also serves as clinical liaison for physicians’ medical affairs, which he discusses directly with CEO Michael Young. They work together to resolve any issues directly involving ECMC physicians, before these issues become critical.

Reaching out to hospitals

In addition to his work with local physicians, Bill makes frequent visits to community hospitals in Jamestown, Elmira, Batavia, Niagara Falls, Youngstown and other towns in the region. Meeting with hospital CEOs, medical directors and physicians, Bill explains the benefits of sending patients to ECMC for tertiary care – particularly for trauma and cardiology, but also for other patients who require transfer to receive care not offered in the smaller hospitals. He also expedites specific administrative issues involved in transfers and billing.

Expanding ECMC’s presence

Bill is also the point man for the hospital’s partnerships with private physician groups. These independent ventures became viable after ECMC received public benefit corporation status two years ago. For example, a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center will soon take shape in Amherst, with ECMC as a minority shareholder in this private venture. The hospital’s affiliation enabled the Amherst facility to apply for a certificate of need from the NYS Department of Health and also provides the necessary legal and professional business expertise. Once operational, this surgical center will provide an opportunity for ECMC to get its name into both the medical and public communities in a positive way. “Mr. Young has built half a dozen of these ventures at his previous health system,” says Bill. “He did them extremely well and they’re very profitable.”

To learn more about how Bill is helping to make ECMC Western New York’s Hospital of Choice, please contact him at WGajewski@ecmc.edu or (716) 898-3765.

William Gajewski

Executive Director of Physician Relations / Physician Liaison

Erie County Medical Center Corporation
462 Grider Street
Buffalo, New York 14215
Phone: (716) 898-3765
Fax: (716) 898-5178
WGajewski@ecmc.edu