Meet Our Team of Transplant Professionals

Early intervention and education are critical to slowing the progress of kidney disease. That's why we've worked hard to develop an environment of both excellence and compassion, where organ recipients as well as donors are completely informed of the disease process and taught about the available options.

Complete management of the disease involves regular monitoring not only of kidney function but also of blood pressure and blood glucose levels, cardiovascular risk factors, anemia and bone and mineral metabolism. At ECMC, we have a multidisciplinary team of experts who are specially trained to provide a comprehensive range of services and are known throughout the region for their skills.

Nephrology

Rocco C. Venuto, MD, has served as Director of ECMC's Renal Services Department and has been an ECMC attending physician in internal medicine and nephrology since 1978. American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Dr. Venuto is Professor of Medicine and Director of the Department of Nephrology at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He is the author of over 75 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Nephrology, the Western New York Kidney Foundation, and the American Society of Transplantation. Dr. Venuto serves on the board of the National Kidney Foundation of Western New York and the Organ Advising Committee of UNYTS.

Brian M. Murray, MD, is Associate Medical Director of ECMC and Medical Director of ECMC's Hemodialysis Unit. American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, he is currently Associate Professor of Medicine at the University at Buffalo. He has earned a fellowship of the American College of Physicians and a fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. He serves on the board of the National Kidney Foundation of Western New York.

Eugene E. Cunningham, MD, has served as an attending physician in nephrology at ECMC since 1980. He is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Dr. Cunningham is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University at Buffalo. He served as Research Fellow from 1979 to 1980 and was awarded the National Research Service Award by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, sponsored by the University of Puerto Rico.

Jennie Hom, MD, serves as Director of ECMC's Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Unit and is Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University at Buffalo. An attending physician in nephrology at ECMC, Dr. Hom completed a fellowship in nephrology with the University at Buffalo in 1990. She is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology.

Josefina Tienzo, MD, is an attending physician in nephrology at ECMC and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Tienzo completed a fellowship in nephrology with the University at Buffalo in 1988. She is American Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology.

Surgery

George A. Blessios, MD, is the Surgical Director of Transplantation at ECMC. Dr. Blessios is board certified by both the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. He completed a fellowship in transplantation surgery and advanced general surgery at the University at Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

Joseph R. Gerbasi, MD, is a surgeon in ECMC's Renal Transplant Center and former Surgical Director of Transplantation at ECMC. American Board Certified in Surgery, Dr. Gerbasi has served as Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University at Buffalo since 1977. He is a founding member of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons and is a member of the American Society of Artificial Internal Organs, as well as other national and local medical societies.

Daniel A. Leary, MD, is a general surgeon, vascular and kidney, at ECMC. American Board Certified in Surgery, he has been affiliated with Surgical Associates of Western New York, PC, since 1983. Dr. Leary is a board member of Upstate New York Transplant Services.

Michael Anthony Pell, MD, is a general surgeon at ECMC. Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery, Dr. Pell completed a fellowship in general surgery through the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Pell is a recipient of the Dr. Heinrich Leonhart Prize for Academic Excellence in Surgery from the University at Buffalo.

Special Consultants

Kevin Pranikoff, MD, is a urologist for the Transplantation Team at ECMC. Board Certified by the American Board of Urology, he has served as Clinical Director of Urology at ECMC since 1988 and is currently Associate Professor of Urology at the University at Buffalo. He was a selected physician for the Best Doctors in America, published in 1999.

Steven Schatz, MD, is a urologist at ECMC.

Renal Team

Marcia Krzywicki, ANP, is a transplant coordinator at ECMC.

Nancy Blizniak, RN, is a transplant coordinator at ECMC.

Lisa Venuto, RPA-C, is a physician assistant for renal transplantation and a transplant coordinator at ECMC.

Kristine Reed, RN, is a transplant coordinator at ECMC.

Vanessa Gray, RN, is a renal nurse clinician for the Renal Services Department at ECMC.

Virginia Smaczniak, LSW, is a social worker for transplant patients at ECMC.

Laura Piccione, MSW, is social worker for hemodialysis patients at ECMC.

Kathleen Tornatore, PharmD, is Pharmacist Consultant at ECMC and Research Associate Professor and Associate Professor of Pharmacy at the University at Buffalo. Through her research and professional experience, she has contributed to several publications. Dr. Tornatore currently serves on the Steroid Withdrawal Research Committee of the American Society of Transplant Physicians.

Susan Blas, RN, is Clinical Researcher for Renal Transplantation at ECMC.

Gail Washington, RN, is the Nursing Team Leader for the Hemodialysis Unit at ECMC.

Evelyn Wise, NP, is a nurse practitioner for the Renal Services Department at ECMC.

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