BUFFALO, NY— Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMC) today announced the appointments of two new Vice Presidents:

Heather Gallagher, MBA

Heather Gallagher has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources and will also serve as Interim Chief Human Resources Officer.

Since joining ECMC in 2015, Heather has become an integral member of ECMC’s leadership team, driving transformational initiatives that have strengthened Human Resources operations, modernized technology, enhanced workforce planning, and supported ECMC’s continued growth. Most recently serving as Senior Director of Compensation, Benefits & HRIS, Heather led enterprise Human Resources operations supporting more than 4,500 employees and over $400 million in annual payroll. In 2023, she established and now leads Human Resources operations for Premier Health Partners, PC and Grider Support Services, LLC, creating the HR infrastructure necessary to support organizational expansion while successfully integrating multiple physician practice acquisitions. As Vice President and Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, Heather will provide executive leadership for all Human Resources functions, including talent strategy, compensation, benefits, payroll, HR technology, employee and labor relations, leave administration, workforce analytics, and organizational development. She will continue partnering with Executive Leadership and the Board of Directors to develop workforce strategies that support ECMC’s commitment to exceptional patient care and operational excellence.

Heather earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from the State University of New York at Fredonia and a Master of Business Administration from the State University of New York at Oswego.

Wade M. Starnes, PE

Wade M. Starnes, PE has been appointed Vice President of Construction Management.

Wade comes to ECMC with extensive experience in construction management, serving most recently as Senior Construction Project Manager at CPL where, among others, he was involved in the construction of Kaleida Health’s new Brooks Memorial Hospital in Fredonia and Evergreen Health’s new Community Medical Center in the Ken-Bailey neighborhood. Wade also has extensive construction management experience at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as Senior Construction Manager, where he developed and managed projects from design through construction, completing over 100 projects annually between 2008 and 2023. Wade will oversee all aspects of capital construction projects at ECMC.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan and his Master of Science degree in Environmental Management at the University of San Francisco.

Attached photos:

Heather Gallagher, MBA
Vice President of Human Resources

Wade M. Starnes, PE
Vice President of Construction Management

About the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation: The ECMC Corporation was established as a New York State Public Benefit Corporation and since 2004 has included an advanced academic medical center 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 Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, as well as 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 experience.