48 Thanks to a physician-led Professional Steering Committee (as well as participants from nursing and the medical staff of both organizations, and the University at Buffalo), a clinical services and tactical plan for integration and growth was developed focusing on four areas: intensive care, transplant, psychiatry and orthopaedics. That plan ultimately led to the transition of all appropriate cardiovascular surgical care from ECMC to Kaleida Health’s Gates Vascular Institute, making that state-of-the-art facility a destination of choice for stroke, cardiac and vascular care. Similarly, transplantation, orthopaedics and behavioral health services were consolidated into new Centers of Excellence at ECMC. In April 2016, ECMCC succeeded in amending its enabling law, permitting ECMCC to enter into agreements with Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo without concern for potential anti-trust liability. The amendment overcame a 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision that cast doubt on the extent that institutions like ECMCC could willingly collaborate without risk of regulatory scrutiny. Specifically, the amendment identified the following seven (7) initiatives: Most importantly, the amendment gives ECMCC another strategy to improve quality and access to health care in Western New York. The amendment strengthened ECMCC’s continuing development of Centers of Excellence in areas such as Orthopaedics, Behavioral Health and Transplantation, as well as the growth and development of other important health service lines like Cancer Care, Head and Neck Surgery, Bariatrics, and Dental Oncology. •  Development of a non-exclusive joint health information technology (IT) platform •  Joint marketing of health care services •  Joint purchasing of services, supplies and equipment •  Development of a joint set of clinical quality standards •  Coordination and integration of clinical services to reduce redundancy and increase efficiency •  Joint management of graduate medical education and academic affiliations •  Joint discussions with rural hospitals regarding the possibility of coordinating and integrating clinical services Members of the physician- led Professional Steering Committee honored for helping to preserve ECMC.