ECMC Springfest Gala Celebrates Caregivers
WNY’s Largest Not-for-Profit Gala raises over $1 million for lifesaving care; Honors ECMC Healthcare Professionals
BUFFALO, NEW YORK—Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation and ECMC Foundation, on Saturday, June 1st, presented Springfest Gala 2024, the largest not-for-profit gala in Western New York, which drew over 1,800 guests from the business, medical, and ECMC communities for an evening of entertainment, fine dining, and celebration. Springfest 2024 raised $1.2 million this year to benefit lifesaving medical services at ECMC.
During Springfest Gala 2024, presented by the Buffalo Bills, Michael R. Cummings, MD was recognized as the Distinguished Physician Honoree. Dr. Cummings is Associate Medical Director, ECMC Corp.; Assistant Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Medical Director, APIC Program; and Medical Director, NYSTART Regions 1, 2, and 4 (Brooklyn/Staten Island). Jillian M. Sauer, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Medical-Surgical Unit Manager for ECMC, was recognized as the Distinguished Nursing Honoree.
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President & CEO, ECMC Corporation, said, “We are always humbled by the outpouring of support for our ECMC caregivers and the lifesaving care they deliver every day. It is always a fun night, but also a special evening as we honor caregivers and hear patient stories of hope and healing. We thank our generous sponsors and the almost 2,000 attendees who together raised $1.2 million dollars to advance our mission.”
Ronald A. Raccuia, Chair, ECMC Foundation, said, “We were pleased to come together this year to celebrate ECMC’s remarkable caregivers. We honored two individuals for their tremendous contributions; we are fortunate to have such skilled, talented clinicians caring for the residents of our community. For over 100 years, ECMC has stood as a beacon of hope and healing in Western New York and ECMC Foundation is pleased to play a supporting role in the continuing success of one of our region’s greatest healthcare assets.”
The evening also featured an inspiring, moving ECMC patient presentation from Ben Richard of Grand Island who was seriously injured in a car accident in 2020. Joined on stage by his parents Jeff and Deena, Ben recounted the high-quality, compassionate care he received at ECMC throughout his recovery from the Emergency Department, Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Medical-Surgical Services and Rehabilitation.
All proceeds from the evening benefit the lifesaving medical services of ECMC that have been accredited and honored by a wide variety of national third-party organizations including the Joint Commission, which provided ECMC its Gold Seal of Approval for quality services and patient safety.
Springfest Gala 2024 was proudly presented by the Buffalo Bills. Other major sponsors included: Platinum sponsors: Pepsi, Apogee Physicians, UBMD Emergency Medicine, Reeds-Jenss; Entertainment sponsor Russell’s Steaks Chops & More; Hotel sponsor HYATT; Floral sponsor TOPS Friendly Markets; Gold sponsors: RICH’S, M&T Bank, Tom & Jodi Quatroche, Kaleida Health, CORE BTS, and Seneca Diabetes Foundation.
ABOUT ECMC FOUNDATION: From life-saving surgery for trauma patients to the extra support that makes a difficult time easier for visiting families, ECMC offers true care at every level. ECMC Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, enhances what ECMC offers to our patients and community, secures the resources that make all the difference, and takes on initiatives to financially support the life-saving work of ECMC. As our community hospital, ECMC serves a range of patients and families across Western New York. Through generous community support and building connections throughout our region, the Foundation strives to make more possible for our patients, their families, and our community.
ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (ECMC) CORPORATION: The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) 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 a Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, 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™.