ECMC Springfest Gala Celebrates Caregivers
WNY’s Largest Not-for Profit Gala raises over $1.2 million for lifesaving care; Honors ECMC Healthcare Professionals
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation and ECMC Foundation, on Saturday, May 10th, presented Springfest Gala 2025, the largest not-for-prof it gala in Western New York, which drew 1,800 attendees from the business, medical, and ECMC communities for an evening of entertainment, fine dining, and celebration. Springfest 2025 raised $1.2 million this year to benefit life saving medical services at ECMC.
During Springfest Gala 2025, presented by the Buffalo Bills, Jenni fer L. Pugh, MD, MBA, FACEP, was recognized as the Distinguished Physician Honoree. Dr. Pugh is Chief of Emergency Medicine at ECMC Corp., Immediate Past President of the ECMC Medical Staff, and an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine. Thameena Z. Hunter, MS, RN, CCISM, Director System Health and Safety for ECMC Corp., was recognized as the Distinguished Nursing Honoree. Susan M. Gonzalez, Immediate Past Executive Director for ECMC Foundation was recognized with the Distinguished Ser vice Award.
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President & CEO, ECMC Corpora tion, said, “The support our community provides to ECMC through events such as Spring fest and other opportu nities is humbling and very gratifying. Every day our caregivers do everything they can to provide high-quality healthcare services to the residents of our region – from the most vulnerable to the most influential. This annual special event, a fun and entertaining evening for the 1,800 attend ees – including 500 members of our ECMC Family, is yet another way to highlight the dedication, kindness and compassion of our caregivers. We thank our generous sponsors and supporters from throughout Western New York who together raised $1.2 million dol lars to advance our mission.”
Jonathan A. Dandes, Chair, ECMC Spring fest, said, “What a wonderful celebration for our honorees and the ECMC family. All three of our honorees have helped improve patient care in our region and continue to be lead ers in the community. The steadfast support from our sponsors and guests makes a direct impact to services offered at ECMC. 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 sup porting role in the continuing success of one of our region’s greatest healthcare institutions.”
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 2025 was proudly presented by the Buffalo Bills. Other major sponsors included: Platinum sponsors: Apo gee Physicians, Pepsi, UBMD Physicians’ Group, Newman Properties Inc., UBMD Emergency Medicine, RICH’S Rich Family Foundation; Entertainment sponsor Russell’s Steaks Chops & More; Floral sponsor TOPS Friendly Markets; Gold sponsors: M&T Bank, Tom & Jodi Quatroche, Kaleida Health, BAIL LIE Group, LEGENDS, LEGENDS Global Merchandise, DMYLES, NRI, Seneca Diabetes Foundation, Manatt, Anesthesiology Medical Consultants, PLLC; Auction/Raffle sponsors: KeyBank, Trocaire College, Metz Culinary Management.