Niagara Falls, NY - Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Katie Morse as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Morse will lead the medical center's marketing, communications, media relations, and community engagement efforts, supporting Memorial's mission to provide exceptional care to the communities it serves. Morse is an Emmy Award-winning communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, brand development, and media relations. She has built a career crafting clear, compelling stories in fast-moving, high-pressure environments, earning the confidence of audiences and communities across Western New York. Prior to joining Memorial, Morse served as a morning news anchor and reporter at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, where she covered major stories impacting Western New York, and became a trusted source of information during breaking news and community events. Her experience spans strategic communications, crisis communications, digital engagement, and public affairs, with a strong track record of building relationships across the region. In addition to her broadcast career, Morse has demonstrated leadership throughout the Western New York communications community. She most recently served as Board Chair and President of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association, helping guide the organization's strategic direction and industry initiatives. "Katie is an outstanding addition to our leadership team," said Joe Ruffolo, President and CEO of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. "Her experience as a strategic communicator, combined with her deep understanding of Western New York and her passion for community engagement, will help us continue to strengthen Memorial's connection with the patients and families we serve. We are excited to welcome her to the organization." "It is an honor to join Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center," said Morse. "Memorial has a long-standing commitment to serving this community, and I look forward to helping tell the stories of the people, programs, and caregivers who make that mission possible while strengthening our connections throughout Western New York." Morse earned a Master of Business Administration from Canisius University and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast News from Kent State University. She is a three-time New York State Emmy Award recipient and received a New York State Excellence in Broadcasting Award for WKBW's morning show, Good Morning Buffalo.
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC) is proud to announce a new partnership with Niagara Pride that will expand access to compassionate, inclusive healthcare services for the LGBTQIA2S+ community throughout Western New York. Beginning this month, Niagara Falls Memorial's Mobile Health Unit will provide monthly health and wellness services at Niagara Pride's offices, bringing preventive care, screenings, behavioral health support, sexual health services, and care coordination directly into a trusted community setting. The partnership reflects Memorial's ongoing commitment to improving access to healthcare by meeting patients where they are and ensuring every individual receives respectful, patient-centered care. Through the monthly clinics, patients will have access to a broad range of services, including: Primary and preventive care, including wellness visits, chronic disease management, diabetes screening and education, blood pressure management, and women's health services. Sexual health services, including STI and HIV screening, prevention education, and PrEP services available both in person and through telehealth. Mental and behavioral health support. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screenings, care coordination, and referrals to community resources. Navigation and referrals for gender-affirming hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgical services through trusted specialty providers. The program is open to all residents of Western New York, regardless of county of residence. Individuals from Niagara, Erie, Orleans, and surrounding counties are welcome to receive services. "This partnership reflects Memorial's mission to ensure that every member of our community has access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare," said AmyLynn Bryniarski, Vice President of Service Line Operations at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. "Healthcare works best when people feel respected, welcomed, and safe. By partnering with Niagara Pride and bringing our Mobile Health Unit directly into the community, we are removing barriers to care while building trusted relationships that support healthier lives across Western New York." Dr. Ronald Piaseczny, LMHC, President and Founder of Niagara Pride, said the partnership represents an important step toward improving health equity in the region. "This partnership with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center marks a pivotal step forward in breaking down the systemic barriers to healthcare faced by the LGBTQIA2S+ community in our region. By bringing screenings, testing, and essential health services directly into the Niagara Pride office, we are doing more than just providing medical care; we are cultivating a space that is fundamentally safe, affirming, and free from the anxiety that often prevents our community from seeking support. For many in our rural WNY neighborhoods, having a central, trusted hub where they can access both clinical services and our comprehensive programming is life-changing. It ensures that health and wellness are not just concepts, but accessible realities for every LGBTQIA2S+ individual and their allies, regardless of their zip code." The Mobile Health Unit will be located at Niagara Pride, 1522 Main Street, Niagara Falls , on the following dates: Friday, July 24, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 12, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during a special Community Health Fair featuring expanded services. Free on-site parking is available. The partnership is part of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center's continued investment in community-based healthcare, making essential services more accessible while helping improve health outcomes for underserved populations throughout the region.
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is pleased to partner with Eastern Niagara Neurology, bringing expanded access to specialized neurological care at Summit Healthplex, Suite 650, for patients throughout Niagara County. Led by Baljinder Singh, MD, Eastern Niagara Neurology has served the region for more than 15 years and is now opening a new office at Summit Healthplex to better meet the growing needs of the local community. Patients at the new location will be seen by Baljinder Singh, MD, Bianca Marrara, DO, Depinderpal Aujla, MBBS, PA, and Melissa Tarnowski, PA, providing greater access to timely neurological care close to home. The practice provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for a wide range of neurological conditions, including: Multiple sclerosis Stroke and stroke recovery Seizure disorders and epilepsy Parkinson's disease and movement disorders Neuropathy Neuromuscular diseases Memory and cognitive disorders Other neurological conditions Eastern Niagara Neurology offers advanced diagnostic and treatment services, including: EEG testing EMG studies Advanced stroke monitoring Botox therapy for neurological conditions Nerve blocks Carpal tunnel injections Other specialized neurological procedures The practice currently includes six providers and continues to grow, with an additional neurologist expected to join the team in the coming months. Patients seeking neurological care can schedule an appointment by calling 716-566-9900. Opening in July at Summit Healthplex, Suite 650, Eastern Niagara Neurology brings experienced specialists, advanced technology, and expanded access to neurological care close to home for Niagara County residents. For more information, visit: https://www.nfmmc.org/neurology-clinic a nd https://doctorneurology.com
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Grigg Lewis Foundation, Inc. in support of its “A Safe and Secure Environment to Promote Behavioral Health Patient Recovery” project. The funding will support improvements aimed at enhancing the care environment for behavioral health patients, helping to create a setting that promotes safety, security and recovery. The project reflects Memorial’s ongoing commitment to strengthening behavioral health services and ensuring patients receive compassionate care in an environment designed to support healing. Behavioral health services are an important part of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center’s mission to meet the healthcare needs of the community. Through this project, Memorial will continue investing in spaces and services that better support patients during treatment and recovery. Memorial is grateful to the Grigg Lewis Foundation for its support of this important initiative and its continued investment in the health and well-being of the Niagara community.
Niagara Falls, NY — Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC) has launched Pulsara , a real‑time emergency communication platform that streamlines how critical information is shared during time‑sensitive medical events such as strokes, heart attacks, trauma, and behavioral health emergencies. Pulsara allows first responders and hospital teams to exchange secure messages, ECGs, photos, and vital signs before the patient arrives , giving clinicians a head start on preparing the appropriate care pathway. “This technology enhances our ability to respond quickly and effectively during the most critical moments,” said Joseph A. Ruffolo, President & CEO . “It represents another important step in our commitment to delivering faster, safer, and more coordinated care to the Niagara community.” NFMMC physicians and emergency staff is fully integrated into emergency workflows. Since implementing Pulsara NFMMC has seen significant reductions in treatment times. June 02, 2026
Niagara Falls, NY — Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC) has invested $2.23 million in next‑generation cardiac and patient monitoring technology from Spacelabs Healthcare, making NFMMC the only hospital in the region with this level of enterprise‑wide monitoring capability. The project includes 112 new bedside and telemetry monitors that will enhance patient care across all medical–surgical beds, the Emergency Department, ICU, PACU, and GI. For the first time, every med/surg bed will be fully telemetry‑enabled. A major component of the upgrade is the Rothman Index, a predictive analytics tool that synthesizes vital signs, nursing assessments, and lab results to provide an early warning score for patient deterioration. “This technology elevates our clinical responsiveness and supports safer, more proactive care,” said Susan Brooks, Chief Nursing Officer. The investment is being completed in two stages — an initial phase of equipment installation followed by a second phase focused on expanding monitoring coverage and replacing older devices — for a combined total of $2.23 million. “This is a major step forward for the patients and families we serve,” said Joseph A. Ruffolo, President & CEO. “Our partnership with Spacelabs ensures that Niagara County has access to the most advanced monitoring tools available.” Mr. Ruffolo also noted that heart disease is overwhelmingly the number one cause of death in Niagara County, placing the county in the bottom tier (58th out of 62) New York counties for overall health outcomes. “This investment will facilitate our efforts to provide early detection and treatment of heart disease,” stated Mr. Ruffolo. “We’re proud to support NFMMC as they expand their monitoring capabilities across the entire hospital,” said Wilson Constantine, President of Spacelabs Healthcare. The project positions NFMMC at the forefront of patient monitoring innovation in Western New York.
Niagara Falls, N.Y. — Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is pleased to announce that Aaron B. Hoffman, MD, FACS, a highly accomplished general and minimally invasive surgeon, has joined its surgical services team. Dr. Hoffman brings more than 20 years of clinical, academic, and leadership experience, expanding access to advanced surgical care for patients throughout Niagara County. A Buffalo native, Dr. Hoffman earned his medical degree from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, where he also completed his general surgery residency and served as Chief Resident. He later completed an accredited fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at North Shore–Long Island Jewish Hospital. Dr. Hoffman has held major leadership roles in academic medicine, including Division Chief of General Surgery, Program Director of a Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship, and Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at the University at Buffalo. His clinical expertise includes foregut surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, hernia repair, and advanced laparoscopic and robotic procedures. He has also led original research focused on understanding barriers to healthcare delivery among underserved and minority communities and hopes to improve access to surgical services in Niagara County. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Hoffman to Niagara Falls Memorial,” said Joseph A. Ruffolo, President & CEO. “His depth of experience, his commitment to surgical excellence, and his passion for patient-centered care make him an outstanding addition to our medical staff.”
Niagara Falls, NY — Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has been awarded $120,000 from the James H. Cummings Foundation to support the hospital’s Plasma Sterilizer Modernization Initiative . The funding will allow Memorial to replace aging plasma sterilization equipment essential to the safe processing of surgical instruments and supplies. The grant was formally accepted this week. The project will directly benefit the hospital’s Surgical Sterile Processing Department , enhancing efficiency, reliability, and patient safety across surgical services. “We are grateful for the Cummings Foundation’s continued investment in the health of our community,” said Sheila Kee of NFMMC. “This support strengthens a critical part of our surgical operations and helps ensure our teams have the tools they need to deliver safe, high‑quality care.” The James H. Cummings Foundation has a long history of supporting healthcare initiatives throughout Western New York. This award reflects the Foundation’s commitment to improving patient care and advancing essential hospital infrastructure.
Niagara Falls, NY — Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NFMMC) is pleased to announce the unanimous appointment of Mel Passarelli, JD/MBA , to its Board of Directors. Passarelli, who grew up on Grand Island , brings more than four decades of leadership experience as a board chairman, CEO, and strategic advisor across global healthcare and technology organizations. His career includes leading multiple corporate turnarounds and scaling companies to successful exits. As his résumé notes, he has “a track record of driving transformational growth, leading turnarounds, and scaling software companies to successful exits,” reflecting the depth of expertise he brings to NFMMC. He has served in senior executive roles at international software companies, including guiding Attunity from near bankruptcy to a NASDAQ listing and its $563 million acquisition. He currently serves on several boards, including 3AM Innovations, Launch NY, HelixIntel, and EagleHawk. His experience spans global markets, where he has “built and led global teams, expanded go‑to‑market strategies, and navigated complex cross‑border operations.” Passarelli holds a JD from Suffolk University Law School and an MBA from the University at Buffalo School of Management. “We are honored to welcome Mel to the NFMMC Board,” said CEO Joe Ruffolo. “His strategic insight, governance experience, and deep commitment to organizational growth will be invaluable as we continue advancing healthcare for our community.” Passarelli will begin his board service immediately. May 6, 2026
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
