On Valentine’s Day, three years to the day of his $1Million donation to ECMC’s Capital Campaign, beloved Buffalo Restaurateur/Philanthropist Russel J. Salvatore celebrates opening of new atrium with ECMC caregivers

BUFFALO, NEW YORK — Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC) today celebrated the opening of the institution’s new main entrance, which is now known as the Russell J. Salvatore Atrium. Three years ago on Valentine’s Day, Mr. Salvatore announced that he was committing $1 million to ECMC’s capital campaign. Thanks to his early support of that effort, ECMC has raised nearly $15 million from private sources for the capital campaign, which includes the building of a new state-of-the-art Trauma and Emergency Department, as well as other capital improvements at the hospital, including the new main entrance. In July 2014, Mr. Salvatore donated $500,000 that led to the opening of the Russell J. Salvatore Orthopaedic Unit in 2015 on the sixth floor of ECMC. He had also previously in 2012 donated $250,000 to upgrade televisions in patient rooms throughout the hospital.

Russell J. Salvatore said, “I believe in ECMC’s mission and I am proud to support their lifesaving services for the residents of Western New York. I have experienced firsthand the high level of quality care that the ECMC staff provide to their patients, at every level throughout the hospital. Their culture of caring is second to none and I wanted to reinforce my admiration for their healthcare excellence by supporting them for the capital campaign and in other earlier hospital improvement projects. I am particularly honored that the hospital’s new entrance will be known as the Russell J. Salvatore Atrium.”

ECMCC Board Chair Jonathan A. Dandes said, “On behalf of my fellow Board of Directors at ECMCC, we are truly grateful for Russell Salvatore’s longstanding support and generosity to ECMC. In the early stages of our capital campaign, he made a commitment of $1 million that absolutely spurred subsequent donations that have had a significantly beneficial impact now and for the future of ECMC. Our community is extremely fortunate to have someone like Russell Salvatore who selflessly leads by example, encouraging others to join him in his philanthropy. ECMC is particularly thankful for Russell’s continuing support of our institution and, most importantly, our dedicated caregivers.”

ECMCC President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D. said, “ECMC is truly fortunate to have such a steadfast supporter and friend in Russell Salvatore. Over the years, Russell has repeatedly demonstrated his love and admiration for our ECMC Family and our dedicated caregivers in turn have always been deeply thankful for his unwavering support. Thanks to Russell, we have literally transformed ECMC’s ‘front door’, providing a warm and welcoming environment for patients, their families and visitors.”

Russell J. Salvatore Atrium Fast Facts

• 50 feet high glass & aluminum curtain wall system
• Stone accent panels on the interior & exterior walls
• Custom chandelier with 75 suspended LED light stems
• Modern in wall recessed LED light strip accent wall
• Marble chip terrazzo flooring
• Custom formed oval reception desk
• Continuous Atrium clearstory skylight
• Covered carport for drop off / pick-up
• Open seating & gathering areas
• Large full glass enclosed vestibule
• New escalators & elevator to 1st floor
• Total area: 4,000sf
• Construction management: Gilbane Building Company
• Architectural Services: Clark Patterson Lee

ABOUT 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 experiences – the difference between healthcare and true care^™.