DiBacco named COO for Kaleida Health's northtowns hospitals
Lockport Mayor Anne E. McCaffrey has been named president CEO at Eastern Niagara Hospital.
McCaffrey has nearly 20 years of health care management experience, having served in leadership roles at Lake Shore Behavioral Health from 1991-2010. While at Lake Shore, she held various positions, including director of vocational services, director of rehabilitation services, as well as coordinator of development and community relations. She has been mayor of Lockport since 2014.
"Anne is a proven leader with great experience and a demonstrated track record in both the public and private sector," Jody L. Lomeo, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. "She is the right choice to lead Eastern Niagara Hospital as it starts its new chapter with the Kaleida Health affiliation. Anne understands the needs of Lockport, Newfane and the surrounding communities and will work hard to enhance health care for the residents of eastern Niagara County."
McCaffrey will resign her position as mayor effective Aug. 8.
In addition to this, David J. DiBacco has been appointed chief operating officer for Kaleida Health's northtowns facilities, which include Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, DeGraff Memorial Hospital and, now, Eastern Niagara Hospital.
DiBacco has been the Eastern Niagara Hospital COO since 2004. He has served as interim CEO at the site since May.
"We are pleased to welcome Dave to the Kaleida Health family," Lomeo said. "He has made a significant impact on ENH during the past two months while serving as the interim CEO. Dave's leadership and talent were immediately recognized by us; and his expertise as a strong operations leader will help Kaleida Health coordinate care across all of our northtowns sites."
George V.C. Muscato, chairman of Eastern Niagara Hospital's board of directors, stated, "Anne's commitment to the eastern Niagara County community has been exceptional and her sincere desire to see the hospital succeed is unquestionable. On behalf of the board of directors, we congratulate her on this appointment and welcome her to the ENH family.
The board would also like to commend David DiBacco for his stellar performance as our interim CEO and congratulate him on his new role. We are pleased that he will be able to expand and share his expertise across other Kaleida Health facilities."
McCaffrey is the 57th mayor of the City of Lockport and is a lifelong city resident. After graduating from DeSales High School and Nazareth College of Rochester, she went on to obtain a master's degree in public policy analysis from the University of Rochester. McCaffrey worked for Lake Shore Behavioral Health in Buffalo for nearly 20 years, where she held several management positions.
In 2011, she decided to focus her efforts on the City of Lockport and was elected to alderwoman of the 2nd Ward. She was re-elected in 2013 and was appointed Common Council president. She became mayor in February 2014 upon the resignation of the former mayor. McCaffrey was subsequently elected to a full four-year term as mayor, which began in January 2016.
She is credited with helping lead a major financial turnaround for the city, turning a $4 million deficit into a $4.4 million fund balance. Her community service includes board participation with the Locks Heritage District Corp., Destination USA, Greater Lockport Development, Rotary Club, Historic Palace Theatre and Youth Mentoring Services among many others.
DiBacco has more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry. Prior to joining ENH, he has served in senior leadership and operations positions at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and Mount St. Mary's Hospital. DiBacco is a resident of Lewiston. He 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.
The search for a new CEO of Eastern Niagara Hospital was conducted by Performance Management Partners Inc.
Kaleida Health is finalizing the process to become the active parent of Eastern Niagara Hospital. Eastern Niagara Hospital Lockport and Newfane sites, ENH Health Care Center on Transit, and the Niagara Regional Surgery Center will all become part of the Kaleida Health family.
The two health systems are also working together to develop a full vision, plan and strategy for the eastern Niagara County community. The process includes communication, community engagement, as well as physician and employee participation to ensure the Niagara community's health care needs are met.
Eastern Niagara's plan to build a new emergency department continues 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.
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 such as 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.
Niagara County Legislature Chairman Wm. Keith McNall, R-Lockport, released the following statement after being notified of McCaffrey's planned departure and the designation of Common Council President David Wohleben as the city's new mayor:
"As a lifelong resident of Lockport, I couldn't be prouder of our mayor and what she's accomplished, and I know ENH will be in competent hands. Mayor McCaffrey always had this government's cooperation and support as the leader of Lockport's government, and she will have it in her new role as leader of Lockport's hospital. We know her to be a woman of her word and a partner who can be trusted.
"I'm also gratified to see Alderman Dave Wohleben will be our new mayor. Alderman Wohleben is an innovative leader and the kind of person who could always be counted on as a strong voice for common sense. He will be an asset to this city, and he will always be able to count on this government to work closely with him in the same spirit of partnership Lockport and Niagara County enjoyed under Mayor McCaffrey."
