Mother Cabrini Health Foundation awards $2.125M to Catholic Health to support emergency services, community outreach

Catholic Health Press Release

Catholic Health has received two grants from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation totaling $2,125,000. The larger of the two grants – $2,000,000 – will help fund two new CT scanners for Mercy Hospital of Buffalo’s busy emergency department (ED), which serves nearly 25,000 patients each year. The remaining $125,000 will support ongoing medical outreach to Buffalo’s westside community.

“Addressing New York’s immediate and long-term health needs requires a comprehensive approach. Over the past five years, we have worked to get funding into communities across the state struggling with heightened health inequities,” said Monsignor Gregory Mustaciuolo, CEO of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. “While responding to urgent needs, we’ve also focused on building strong community relationships, funding long-term infrastructure, and pursuing community input so that our grant-making efforts are as impactful and sustainable as possible for New York’s underserved communities both today and for years to come.”

As Catholic Health’s comprehensive heart and stroke center, Mercy Hospital treats patients needing the highest level of heart and stroke care, including those presenting to the hospital’s ED and referrals from throughout the health system. Mercy Hospital currently has two CT scanners – one in its ED and one in its nearby imaging department.

The Cabrini grant will enable the hospital to replace the CT scanner in its ED with two of the latest, high-tech CT scanners to enhance care and reduce wait times for inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients across southern Erie County.

With its Sisters Health Center and Food Farmacy at the D’Youville Health Hub, and a new LIFE (Living Independently for Elders) Center under construction on the D’Youville University Campus, Catholic Health is growing primary and senior care services to meet the health, nutrition, and continuing care needs of residents on Buffalo’s west side. As a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Catholic Health LIFE provides medical, transportation, and adult day care services to help area seniors live Independently as an alternative to nursing home care.

The Cabrini grant will help fund outreach professionals to help area residents – especially those on Medicare and Medicaid – access the medical services they need for themselves and their families.

“We are extremely grateful for this funding and would like to thank the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for recognizing the health care needs that exist in our community, which has a sizeable low income and elderly population,” said Joyce Markiewicz, president and CEO of Catholic Health. “These grants will help us enhance emergency services to residents across south Buffalo and the south towns, and improve access to care for families on the west side of Buffalo.”

Mercy Hospital’s Cabrini Grant is part of a larger fundraising campaign to support capital improvements to the hospital’s ED to house the second CT scanner. More than $3.1 million has been raised toward the $4.2 million construction project. The new CT scanners are expected to be online by the end of the year.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct health care services or address the social determinants of health.

For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/.