ECMC’s chief nurse sets the bar for exceptional patient care. Karen Ziemianski, RN, MS, senior vice president of nursing at ECMC, brings 30 years of experience in every aspect of nursing to patient care at ECMC. As the ECMC executive team member ultimately responsible for high quality nursing and safe patient care, Karen assures that ECMC’s clinical nursing care is consistent with current research and professional standards and with the mission, vision, and values of ECMCC. She personifies ECMC’s unique culture, inspiring her colleagues to work that much harder for the benefit of their patients. Collaborating with the executive staff, she continually monitors all nursing care and initiates the strategic policy to coordinate patient services throughout the hospital. Ms. Ziemianski also provides leadership in nursing with educational institutions throughout the community and serves as ECMC’s representative with professional and civic service organizations. Karen Ziemianski has been recognized for her outstanding nursing and leadership achievements with the ECMC Springfest Gala Distinguished Service Award and the Network of Religious Communities Leadership Award. She has also been included in the Health Care 50 and in a listing of the Top Health Care Providers in Western New York. 55 Erie County Medical Center 1978-Present Photo courtesy Kenwood Photography Below, Member of the NFL Hall of Fame, and former ECMC patient Jim Kelly dedicates the hospital’s “Kelly Tough Room” to inspire patients at ECMC. Photo courtesy Joe Cascio. World-class cancer care now available at ECMC. The Center for Cancer Care opened in 2014 on the second floor of the Ambulatory Center building. The center comprises several oncology disciplines including head and neck surgical oncology, dental oncology and maxillofacial prosthetics, breast oncology, and medical oncology. The center also offers plastic and reconstructive surgery and is the only oncology service in WNY that performs microvascular surgery. “With the combination of chemotherapy and surgery, radiation, and reconstructive surgery, we offer our patients a complete package of care,” says Thom Loree, MD, Chief of the Department of Head & Neck and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Two new surgical suites with related recovery and surgical services also opened that year—for a total of four—in the Ambulatory Center building. The new suites were needed because of a ten percent increase in surgical volume in the previous two years, which was directly related to the increased volume in the medical center’s emergency room. Dr. Thom R. Loree, Chief of the Department, Head & Neck and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Photo courtesy Wagoner Photography. Above, Dr. Loree, Dr. Sullivan, Dr. McLean. Photo courtesy Wagoner Photography.