WNY’s Largest Not-for-Profit Gala raises over $1.2 million for lifesaving care; Honors ECMC Healthcare Professionals
BUFFALO, NEW YORK—Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation and ECMC Foundation, on Saturday, May 10th, presented Springfest Gala 2025, the largest not-for-profit gala in Western New York, which drew 1,800 attendees from the business, medical, and ECMC communities for an evening of entertainment, fine dining, and celebration. Springfest 2025 raised $1.2 million this year to benefit lifesaving medical services at ECMC.
During Springfest Gala 2025, presented by the Buffalo Bills, Jennifer L. Pugh, MD, MBA, FACEP, was recognized as the Distinguished Physician Honoree. Dr. Pugh is Chief of Emergency Medicine at ECMC Corp., Immediate Past President of the ECMC Medical Staff, and an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine. Thameena Z. Hunter, MS, RN, CCISM, Director System Health and Safety for ECMC Corp., was recognized as the Distinguished Nursing Honoree. Susan M. Gonzalez, Immediate Past Executive Director for ECMC Foundation was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award.
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President & CEO, ECMC Corporation, said, “The support our community provides to ECMC through events such as Springfest and other opportunities is humbling and very gratifying. Every day our caregivers do everything they can to provide high-quality healthcare services to the residents of our region – from the most vulnerable to the most influential. This annual special event, a fun and entertaining evening for the 1,800 attendees – including 500 members of our ECMC Family, is yet another way to highlight the dedication, kindness and compassion of our caregivers. We thank our generous sponsors and supporters from throughout Western New York who together raised $1.2 million dollars to advance our mission.”
Jonathan A. Dandes, Chair, ECMC Springfest, said, “What a wonderful celebration for our honorees and the ECMC family. All three of our honorees have helped improve patient care in our region and continue to be leaders in the community. The steadfast support from our sponsors and guests makes a direct impact to services offered at ECMC. For over 100 years, ECMC has stood as a beacon of hope and healing in Western New York and ECMC Foundation is pleased to play a supporting role in the continuing success of one of our region’s greatest healthcare institutions.”
All proceeds from the evening benefit the lifesaving medical services of ECMC that have been accredited and honored by a wide variety of national third-party organizations including the Joint Commission, which provided ECMC its Gold Seal of Approval for quality services and patient safety.
Springfest Gala 2025 was proudly presented by the Buffalo Bills. Other major sponsors included: Platinum sponsors: Apogee Physicians, Pepsi, UBMD Physicians’ Group, Newman Properties Inc., UBMD Emergency Medicine, RICH’S Rich Family Foundation; Entertainment sponsor Russell’s Steaks Chops & More; Floral sponsor TOPS Friendly Markets; Gold sponsors: M&T Bank, Tom & Jodi Quatroche, Kaleida Health, BAILLIE Group, LEGENDS, LEGENDS Global Merchandise, DMYLES, NRI, Seneca Diabetes Foundation, Manatt, Anesthesiology Medical Consultants, PLLC; Auction/Raffle sponsors: KeyBank, Trocaire College, Metz Culinary Management.
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 573 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™.