BUFFALO, N.Y. (Thursday, May 6, 2004) - Michael Nagowski has been appointed Kaleida Health Vice President and President of Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital.

Nagowski is currently Chief Operating Officer of the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) where he is responsible for operations, strategic planning and business development.

In making the announcement Kaleida Health CEO William D. McGuire said, "Mike is an outstanding health care executive. He brings considerable experience and energy to this key position. He will make great contributions to the Kaleida Health family."

Nagowski, a Buffalo native, has also served as Vice President of Medicine, Primary Care, Maternal/Child, and Medical Education at the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. In that role, he was recognized for implementing several initiatives across service lines, which lead to significant growth and cost savings for the medical center.

Nagowski is no stranger to Western New York health care, the Millard Fillmore Health Systems or Kaleida Health.

He has served as Chief Financial Officer and Administrator for the University Physical Medicine Department, University of Buffalo School of Medicine, and as a former Director of Rehabilitation Services and Imaging Services and Director of Marketing and Business Development at Kaleida Health System, Millard Fillmore Health Systems.

"I am excited about returning to Millard Gates, where I started in Health Care," said Nagowski. "The new administration at Kaleida has made tremendous strides to improve the delivery of health care in Western New York, and I am looking forward to joining the team."

Nagowski is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He holds a master's degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University, and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

He resides in Lancaster with his wife Kim and his children, Nick and Ashley.