News & Media

On December 2, 2020, Kaleida Health received the official “Directive to Postpone all Non-Essential Elective Procedures in Erie County” from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Per NYSDOH, all hospitals in Erie County are required to postpone all non-essential elective procedures until further notice. 

As Kaleida Health shared yesterday in its official statement regarding elective surgeries, we are still awaiting official written directives from New York State. We are advocating that Erie County (all hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, etc.) keep same-day and emergent procedures versus those that require an overnight stay.

Kaleida Health released the following statement in response to New York State’s new COVID-19 emergency hospital procedures.

Paul E. Belter, CPA, has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) for Kaleida Health.

Janice R. Rockwood, RN, BSN, patient care coordinator at The Craniofacial Center of Western New York and 45-year veteran employee, shares some of her heartfelt experience working with the kids at Oishei Children’s Hospital and how COVID-19 impacted the work they do during the spring shutdown of surgery.  

In an effort to protect our patients, families, visitors and staff against the spread of infection, and in accordance with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance, Kaleida Health has implemented the following visitation policy at all sites, effective Wednesday, November 25, 2020. This does not apply to those seeking treatment.

Effective immediately, Oishei Children’s Hospital is temporarily expanding its admission criteria to include adult patients 25 years of age and under to help bolster Kaleida Health’s inpatient bed capacity as coronavirus cases continue to rise across Western New York.

The Working Group recommends AGAINST using hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19 in either the inpatient or outpatient setting.

In response to New York State designating parts of Erie County an Orange Zone, Kaleida Health announced that effective Friday, November 20, it will suspend patient visitation consistent with New York State Department of Health guidelines in an effort to mitigate community transmission of COVID-19.

Kaleida Health's enhanced visitation policy was updated November 13, 2020. Please make sure you are familiar with the current policy.

DeGraff Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Facility, one of Kaleida Health’s long-term care facilities, has been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.

Shannon Bryant, LMHC, has been named chief diversity and inclusion officer for Kaleida Health following a national search.

The Kaleida Health Foundation hosted their first Halloween on Transit event, raising over $26,000 for Kaleida Health frontline healthcare workers.