Cynthia R. Bass Appointed Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation officials today announced the appointment of Cynthia R. Bass as Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for the Corporation.
Reporting directly to the office of the President and CEO and working closely with other executive leaders, in her new role, Cynthia “Cindy” Bass will develop and implement a strategic plan that prioritizes and communicates the importance of diversity in a community-based, safety net hospital setting; serve as a resource to incorporate diversity and inclusion into ECMC practices, programs, policies and procedures; collaborate with all levels of management and executive leadership to develop diversity and inclusion competencies; and representing the hospital at community events.
Cindy Bass joined Erie County Medical Center in 2011 as a Benefits Analyst in the Human Resources Department, where she served as the central liaison and administrator of benefits programs for the more than 3,400 employees of ECMC Corp. In 2015, Cindy expanded her role through a promotion to the position of Human Resources Business Partner. During her tenure, she developed relationship management strategies to resolve complex employee relations issues in the nursing and behavioral health departments. While serving in this role, Cindy came to understand the need for diversity and inclusion initiatives to be embedded into the culture of ECMC, while also becoming more involved in strategic initiatives.
ECMC Corporation President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, said, “The internal organizational knowledge and development of key relationships that Cindy has refined over the last seven years will serve her well in her current position as she seeks to strengthen Diversity and Inclusion as part of our unique ECMC culture. Cindy will ensure that as the changes that shape our healthcare delivery systems continue to evolve, so too will ECMC to best meet the needs of our patients and staff, and provide career opportunities for the members of the community we serve.”
Before serving at several other area corporations in a benefits analyst capacity, Cindy Bass earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources (2002) followed by a Master of Business Administration from Medaille College. In June of 2018, Cindy will complete a Fellowship for Certification in Diversity Management (CDM) from the Institute for Diversity in Health Management, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association.
Cindy’s community work includes multiple leadership positions at Gospel Temple Life Changing Ministries, where she served as: Assistant Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Church Administrator, and President of the Women’s Ministry. Cindy is also a Member of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership Diversity Council.
Among other awards, Cindy was recognized for her service to the field of Human Resources, having been nominated as the HR Professional of the Year by the Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association.
ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (ECMC) CORPORATION: 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 593 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™.