Ortt Announces $1 Million for Hospital Projects That Stimulate Economic Growth and Create Jobs throughout Niagara County

State Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) today announced he secured a total of $1 million for infrastructure projects at three local hospitals that will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation. The funding, secured by Senator Ortt as part of the 2017-18 state budget, supports projects at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda, and Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston.

Senator Ortt said, “These economic development funds will offer local hospitals the opportunity to build on their current success by expanding, upgrading, and improving operations and increasing efficiencies. By investing in these major projects, we are helping to generate new economic opportunities that create jobs, and stimulate and strengthen the surrounding communities throughout Niagara County.”

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center was awarded $400,000 for its new inpatient Cardiac and Stroke Center. The 12,950-square-foot facility will replace the hospital’s 40-year-old telemetry unit. The center will feature 25 private rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The $4.3 million project will include a family and patient resource room and medical teaching facilities.

The project will also feature a new inpatient rehabilitation center that will make it more convenient to begin physical therapy and occupational therapy while still in the hospital, thus contributing to more positive long-term patient outcomes. Since the start of construction in October 2016, the project has created 15 construction jobs. The new facility is scheduled to open this November.  

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center President & CEO Joseph A. Ruffolo said, “We are most grateful to Senator Ortt for his enthusiastic support of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and for his efforts in securing this funding for our new Cardiac and Stroke Care center. This multidisciplinary 25-bed center will feature the latest in ‘smart’ technology and will – combined with our recently expanded Heart Center of Niagara – further establish Memorial as Niagara’s leading provider of outstanding high quality care to patients with cardiovascular disease.”

DeGraff Memorial Hospital will use a $300,000 grant for a portion of the cost of renovation and expansion to transform its Emergency Department. In order to accommodate the growing patient needs that resulted in 12,505 emergency visits in 2015, DeGraff needed to expand its ER. The department will move to the hospital’s east side, and the new space will more than double the existing square footage.  

The new 10,264-square-foot facility will include 17 treatment bays with high-tech equipment and energy efficiencies, trauma, bariatric and airborne isolation rooms, as well as a decontamination area for infectious threats. An additional 3,075-square-foot-space will include a new main lobby and patient registration area. The building’s exterior will have a modern, updated façade with improved signage to facilitate traffic flow.

As a result of the $7.8 million project, DeGraff will create approximately 125 construction jobs. The new Emergency Department is expected to open in 2018.     

“As we look to the future of DeGraff Memorial Hospital, these resources will help us continue to provide the highest quality services for the people of the Tonawandas. The goal of the expansion is to serve the community better by increasing DeGraff’s capacity to treat patients experiencing illness and life-threatening emergencies,” said Darcy Craven, the president of DeGraff Memorial and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospitals. “We want to thank Senator Ortt for his continued support of Kaleida Health's DeGraff Memorial Hospital Emergency Room Expansion and Renovation Project. This much needed economic development project will significantly improve the health and well-being of Niagara and Erie County residents.”

Mount St. Mary’s Hospital will use a grant of $300,000 to upgrade its electrical distribution system in the main building that was originally constructed in 1965. Replacing the antiquated system will improve safeguards on the campus and better protect both patients and visitors. Upgrades include new transformers, main breakers, a generator housing structure, and seven new transfer switches with monitoring systems. 

An estimate of 30 construction jobs over the next several months will be created for this project.

“The funds we receive are being targeted to an important upgrade in our electrical distribution system,” said Gary C. Tucker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital. “We will invest nearly $5 million overall in the project because of its importance in enhancing patient care and safety. The money from the state will significantly help us fully implement the project.”

The funds are being administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).