100 High Street
Buffalo, NY 14203



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael P. Hughes (716) 843-7588
or John Moscato (716) 878-1660




KALEIDA CELEBRATES SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC AGREEMENT

REMARKABLE PROGRESS MADE AS A RESULT OF SUPPORT FROM KEY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

2004

William D. McGuire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaleida Health BUFFALO, N.Y. (Monday, April 5, 2004) - William D. McGuire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaleida Health credits the support given by key government officials as the critical factor in bringing people together and solving a problem that threatened the future of Women and Children's Hospital.

McGuire's remarks were offered in the context of celebrating the second anniversary of the Memorandum of Understanding agreement that assured the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo would remain as a free-standing facility on Bryant Street.

"When I arrived, a debate was raging with regard to the future location of this hospital," said McGuire. "To make matters worse, Kaleida Health was in a deep financial free-fall and had lost over $112 million in the previous four years. The entire organization, as well as the future of Children's Hospital, was at stake. That's when Governor Pataki, Congressman Reynolds, Congressman Quinn, and Dennis Rivera stepped up and pledged their assistance. It's doubtful we would have survived without their help."

McGuire was joined by New York State Assembly Majority Leader Paul A. Tokasz, New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Steven Lana, M.D., a Kaleida Health pediatrician and representative of the Women and Children's First Committee, and Carol Malmin-Miller, a parent advocate and leader in the "save Children's Hospital" campaign two years ago.

The event was held in Kinch Auditorium on the Women and Children's Hospital campus, where Kaleida Health, Local 1199 of the Service and Employees Union, and the Women and Children First Committee, signed the agreement on April 3, 2002. Members of the medical staff, employees of the hospital, and community members were in attendance as well.

"Without the aid of Governor Pataki, Congressman Reynolds, Congressman Quinn and Dennis Rivera, the future of one of Western New York's greatest medical assets was at risk", said McGuire. "Their steadfast commitment enabled us to bring people together, solve issues, and move forward with a common purpose."

McGuire was optimistic when discussing financial, operational, and performance matters at the hospital.

"Kaleida Health continues to invest in and ensure the long-term success of the hospital," said McGuire. "We have made significant infrastructure improvements to the campus and developed new and important services. With leadership provided by dedicated and loyal physicians and nurses, supported by hard working and service-minded staff, we will strengthen the Women and Children's Hospital as a regional center of excellence for comprehensive pediatric and women's health care services."

McGuire noted that over the past two years, the Women and Children's Hospital has recorded several achievements, including:

  • Renovation and expansion of a state-of-the art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  • Renovation and expansion of the Emergency Room, which receives 40,000 visits each year as the region's only pediatric trauma center.
  • Opened the Kaleida Breast Care Center, which provides immediate access to examinations, diagnostics, and treatment.
  • Changed the name of the facility to Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo to better reflect the services offered. Plans are being developed to offer a comprehensive women's health services program.
  • Progress has been made in development of a helipad that will receive critically ill and injured patients from throughout Western New York.

New York Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz said, "Bill McGuire and his team at Kaleida Health, along with the unions, should be commended for their effort to keep Women and Children's Hospital as a free-standing facility. I look forward to continuing a strong working relationship with Kaleida and providing state support to ensure quality health care for the residents of Western New York."

New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, who represents the Women and Children's Hospital neighborhood said, "Today marks the two year anniversary of an important milestone for Kaleida Health and for the women and children of our community. I am pleased with the progress that has been made and the many significant changes at the hospital that continue to insure excellence in maternal and pediatric care."

Dr. Lana, the Women and Children's First Committee Trustee said, "Before we can realize the dream, we must overcome significant financial, operational and programmatic challenges. The women and children of our community deserve no less and are counting on us to deliver the best possible quality facility and medical care available."

Parent advocate Carol Malmin-Miller Parent advocate Carol Malmin-Miller said, "It was an easy decision to become involved in the fight to save Women and Children's Hospital. "A free standing children hospital is a gift to all of the families in this area and a treasure for New York State."

McGuire stressed that future plans and dreams will become realities through enhanced financial performance, development of a strong women's services program, and a successful capital campaign. "Another important element will be a favorable ruling by the Department of Justice on our petition for loss-on-sale funds," he said.

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Kaleida Health is the largest health care provider in Western New York. More than one million patients are seen annually at Buffalo General Hospital, DeGraff Memorial Hospital, Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, The Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo and numerous community health care centers. The system includes long-term care facilities, as well as visiting nurse, behavioral health and home care services.