Eastern Niagara Hospital this week announced the appointment of David J. DiBacco as interim CEO.
DiBacco, a Lewiston resident, has served as the hospital's chief operating officer since 2004. He has over 30 years of experience in the health care industry. Prior to joining ENH, he served in senior leadership and operations positions at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and Mt. St. Mary's Hospital.
DiBacco steps in for Clare Haar, who is concluding her tenure on May 11.
ENH announced intentions to strengthen its partnership with Kaleida Health back in December of 2017. At that time, the two organizations announced that a search would be implemented for Haar's successor. That search continues and DiBacco will be a candidate for the CEO position.
George V.C. Muscato, chairman of ENH's board of directors said, "The ENH Board of Directors is extremely grateful for the dedication and commitment Clare Haar has demonstrated throughout the past 24 years. She has managed numerous developments, projects and countless demands that have helped the hospital evolve and persevere in an extremely challenging environment. We appreciate her allegiance to this organization."
Muscato added, "We are pleased to give Mr. DiBacco this opportunity and know that the Hospital will be in very capable hands. He has demonstrated exceptional loyalty to the organization and will be a tremendous asset to the Hospital and our community as we move forward with this important transition."
Under terms of the active parent model, Kaleida Health will become the active parent of Eastern Niagara Hospital. Eastern Niagara Hospital Lockport and Newfane sites, ENH Ambulatory Care Center/Lockport Imaging Center and the Western New York Occupational Health Center will all become part of the Kaleida Health family.
The model is not a merger. ENH will remain a separate legal entity with a separate board of directors (advisory) that will develop recommendations to Kaleida Health's board, which will have ultimate responsibility for Eastern Niagara Hospital.
Eastern Niagara's plan to build a new Emergency Department continue to move forward and will be done with the support of Kaleida Health. The plan is to build a new 21,000 square-foot facility near the East Avenue entrance of the 134-bed hospital. The $8.2 million project calls for 16 private treatment rooms.
In April of 2017, the New York State Department of Health Public Health and Health Planning Council voted to approve Kaleida Health's active parent model with Eastern Niagara Hospital. A handful of state and federal regulatory agencies must still sign off on the affiliation. That is expected to occur in the coming weeks.
By affiliating with Kaleida Health, Eastern Niagara is now better equipped to coordinate care. Patients in the eastern Niagara region will have access to appropriate care locally and be seamlessly transitioned to the tertiary network at places like the Gates Vascular Institute, Buffalo General Medical Center and Oishei Children's Hospital. Eastern Niagara will also have greater coordination of care and enhanced partnerships with Erie County Medical Center (a partner of Kaleida Health) and their centers of excellence in behavioral health and transplantation, along with adult level one trauma care.
DiBacco holds two bachelor's degrees from Niagara University, one in accounting and one in business/commerce. He is active in the Niagara County community, volunteering his time with various community, business and sports organizations.
