A professional career of selfless dedication and leadership Beginning in 1963, Dr. Joseph A. Zizzi Sr. served Erie County Medical Center Corporation in various capacities for over 50 years, first joining E.J. Meyer Memorial Hospital as an attending physician. He dedicated his entire medical and professional career to the institution and to the care of our patients. From his early clinical origin, Dr. Zizzi went on to serve ECMC as assistant medical director, deputy medical director and medical director. He eventually served as the hospital’s acting Chief Executive Officer in 2004 and served on the Board of Directors until 2015. As Deputy Medical Director, Dr. Zizzi helped lead ECMC to receive in 1989 its designation as Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma and Burn Center. Dr. Zizzi did not hesitate to jump into the political fray in order to save the hospital. He tirelessly campaigned and lobbied elected officials, helping prevent in 1973 the sale of the hospital for one dollar. It was through his efforts that ECMC not only survived, but now thrives and continues in its mission to offer quality health care to all regardless of their ability to pay. Dr. Zizzi instilled a community-minded mentality throughout ECMC, while also focusing on teaching. These two factors helped shape the hospital’s unique culture, which continues to this day thanks to Dr. Zizzi’s vision and passion. The final and most important contribution made by Dr. Zizzi came as he ushered in a new era for ECMC in 2004. As he had done earlier during the proposed sale of the hospital, Dr. Zizzi worked steadfastly to convert the once public hospital into a Public Benefit Corporation. The monumental significance of this work cannot be overstated. By successfully transitioning away from its position as a division of local government, ECMC has, thanks to Dr. Zizzi and his clinical colleagues, hospital administration and the Board of Directors, flourished as a healthcare leader in Western New York, broadening its areas of expertise and making significant contributions to the well-being of the region’s residents. It is clear that without Dr. Zizzi’s leadership and willingness to pitch in at every opportunity ECMC would be a much different hospital. Our hospital and community owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Zizzi for his service. Dr. Joseph A. Zizzi Sr. 45 Laboratory Medicine consolidates. The Department of Laboratory Medicine joined in the formation of a Consolidated Laboratory Network, a partnership with Catholic Health, Kaleida Health and Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The aim of the network was to develop and offer area-wide centralized laboratory testing services. In 2003, the Department also implemented procedures to improve compliance for all laboratory test requests. In addition to conducting routine laboratory operations, the Department provided laboratory service for five new clinical studies and continued to be a positive financial asset for ECMC. The region’s designated AIDS Center. Created in 1988 as a research center that also provides clinical care, the Immunodeficiency Services (IDS) group seeks to improve the quality of life for HIV-positive patients through early intervention and optimal care. The group also provides HIV/AIDS clinical education and consultation to medical providers and offers advocacy and case management services for HIV/AIDS patients. In addition to the main center at ECMC, there are three rural satellite clinics in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties providing comprehensive medical care to HIV positive individuals throughout Western New York. IDS clients meet with physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, nutritionists, drug counselors, and medical social workers to treat several conditions, including HIV, AIDS, and HIV/HCV co-infection. IDS also operates a large diagnostic testing service featuring a walk-in rapid testing clinic. IDS is supported by state and federal grants focused on medication adherence, clinical education, treatment of individuals co-infected with Hepatitis C, and expanded HIV diagnostic testing. A supportive volunteer program. In 1994, Patient Advocate, a supportive volunteer program, was initiated at ECMC. The service provided assistance and support to families and friends of critical care patients in the ER and Trauma Center. Volunteers trained by the ECMC staff updated families on the status of the patient, served as a liaison between families and medical staff, provided refreshments, and offered referrals for any other services needed. The following year, an all-volunteer medical professional staff began providing care for the Friends of the Night People Medical Clinic. The staff offered medical services to the homeless and nearly homeless people living on Buffalo’s Lower West Side. Medical students also participated in this valuable hands-on experience with all services coordinated through the Department of Emergency Medicine.