Quality care right at home.

News Releases
Press Releases regarding events, services and news at United Memorial are posted on this website by the Community Relations Department at United Memorial. If you would like additional information, please contact us at (585)344-5415 or by email to contactus@ummc.org.



United Memorial Adjusts Services to Meet Needs of the Community
United Memorial Medical Center has experienced tremendous growth in the past year. The Surgical Expansion project was completed, the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine Center opened and a number of new physicians joined the Medical Staff. Several advancements were made in healthcare information technology, quality initiatives and improvements to our physical plant. Each program and project was a direct result of our strategic planning process to improve locally delivered healthcare based on the needs of the community and to continue to strengthen financial performance.

While growth is important to our viability, we must also assess established services and practices to determine whether they are fulfilling the mission of the organization and are sustainable. To maintain the financial balance of the organization and the needs of our community, several changes have been implemented.

The Cardiac Rehab Department and the Byron Family Care Center will close by March 1, 2012 due to unsustainable patient volumes. Cardiac Rehab will not accept new referrals and current patients will have the opportunity to complete their 90- day program. Patients of Byron Family Care were mailed letters informing them of the closure and information on transferring their medical records. The primary care provider at Byron Family Care, Dr. Stanley Ambis, will continue with United Memorial’s Family Care Centers in LeRoy and Batavia. Patients will be encouraged to remain with Dr. Ambis at one of the other sites. United Memorial Medical Center has filed its’ intent to close the Byron Family Care Center with the NYS Department of Health and will work through the appropriate steps in the next 90 days to complete this process.

Discontinuing the two services and realignment of job functions in other departments will result in the elimination of 16 positions, with the equivalent hours of approximately 14 full time employees, slightly less than 2% of United Memorial’s 795 member workforce. The eliminated positions include two Allied Health Professionals, four Registered Nurses, four Technicians, one Licensed Practical Nurse, one Patient Access Specialist, an administrative secretary and three salaried positions. Those eligible were offered severance packages and where appropriate, options to extend their healthcare coverage. If qualified, they will be encouraged to apply for and considered for other positions within the organization.
(Posted 11/28/11)

 

Genesee Cardiology to Join United Memorial
United Memorial Medical Center is pleased to announce that Genesee Cardiology will join the United Memorial family of managed services beginning December 1, 2011 following the recently announced retirement of Cardiologist, Dr. Keun Oh.  Genesee Cardiology will remain in their current location of 229 Summit Street in the Summit Medical Office Building. Their name will change to “United Memorial Cardiology and Internal Medicine” to reflect the merger.To maintain continuity of care, United Memorial has recruited Board Certified Cardiologist Syed A. Shah, MD. He will be joining Dr. Abdul Rathor and Nurse Practitioner Susan Riner in the practice as hospital employed healthcare providers.

“Dr. Oh has provided exceptional medical and cardiac care to patients in our region since 1979 and we wish him well in his retirement,” stated United Memorial CEO Mark C. Schoell. “As an organization, we have worked closely with Dr. Oh and Dr. Rathor to make sure patients will have continued access to cardiac care close to home.” 

Dr. Syed A. Shah has over 24 years of experience. He completed his residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), Atlantic City Medical Center and a fellowship at UMDNJ, Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. Dr. Shah has maintained offices in Olean and Brockport.

For an appointment with Dr. Rathor, Dr. Shah, or Ms. Riner please call (585) 343-4440.
(Posted 10/21/11)





United Memorial appoints new Director of Nursing
United Memorial Medical Center is pleased to announce that Marilyn Almeter, RN BSN has been appointed to the position of Director of Nursing. Marilyn has served as the Director of Professional Practice since May 2006. Her duties focused on Joint Commission preparation and compliance, clinical practice management and facilitation of the nursing governance model.

As the Director of Nursing, Marilyn’s scope of responsibility will expand to include operational oversight of inpatient acute care units and nursing supervision. She will report to the Vice President of Nursing. This structure will improvestaff access to nursing administration and provide additional support to nursing unit based leadership. She assumed this new role on October 4th. A native of Attica, New York, Marilyn graduated from Genesee Community College School of Nursing and Keuka College.
(Posted 10/21/11)
 

Pink Hatters’ Event Sold Out
United Memorial’s annual Pink Hatters’ Event which celebrates women who have overcome breast cancer has sold out. Over 400 reservations have been made for the October 20th event at the Clarion Hotel in Batavia. Unfortunately, no additional tickets can be sold due to the size limitations of the venue.

The Cancer Services Partnership of Genesee and Orleans Counties is managed through United Memorial. Each year, during the month of October, they hold a special event providing education and honoring breast cancer survivors. Traditionally, attendees wear pink hats that range from pink cowgirl hats to creatively designed bonnets, sun hats, and fedoras.

United Memorial greatly appreciates those who have supported Pink Hatters’ in the past.
(Posted 10/17/11)




United Memorial Receives NICHE Designation
United Memorial Medical Center has received NICHE designation for 2011-2012 from the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University College of Nursing. The NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) network, of nearly 300 hospitals across the United States and Canada, allows organizations to share knowledge, experiences and best practices to improve elder care and to promote the role of patients and families in directing the care they receive.  

In 2011 the first baby boomers turned 65. Improving geriatric nursing competencies is more important than ever as a large segment of our population becomes seniors. The NICHE program is designed to upgrade the quality of care for hospitalized older adults by increasing awareness of geriatric issues and implementation of hospital geriatrics protocols.

The process to achieve NICHE designation included participation in a leadership training program by three members of the nursing management team. The team identified clinical and operational priorities through a review of performance improvement and risk management data and developed and presented a NICHE action plan.
(Posted 8/24/11)




Obstetricians Join UMMC Medical Staff
United Memorial Medical Center is pleased to announce that on July 1, 2011 obstetrician and gynecologists Courtenay Diehl, MD and Michele Odrobina, MD will officially join the Hospital’s Medical Staff. Midwife Kimberly Danser, CNM is currently completing the credentialing process at United Memorial. Drs. Diehl and Odrobina and Ms. Danser practice at the Women’s Health Centers at 100 Ohio Street in Medina and  415 West Avenue, Albion.

The addition of Dr. Diehl, Dr. Odrobina and Kimberly Danser to the UMMC Medical Staff as hospital employed healthcare providers protects women’s health services in the Genesee Orleans region. Their offices will remain at their current locations in Albion and Medina; as well, they will see patients at the United Memorial Women’s Care Center located at 33 Chandler Avenue in Batavia.

“This is an example of two hospitals working collaboratively to consolidate services and protect access to care for the women of our communities. We are amicably right-sizing the system,” said UMMC President and CEO, Mark Schoell. “I am very proud of the women’s health services provided at United Memorial and welcome the patients of Dr. Diehl and Dr. Odrobina. I’m certain they will find the UMMC staff attentive and eager to ease their transition to a new hospital setting.”

Medina Memorial announced earlier this year that they would no longer operate a birthing wing due to high costs of maintaining an inpatient birthing unit with a declining number of births. In an agreement with United Memorial, Medina Memorial will help transition the practices and continue to manage the office support staff until the State approves the sites as extension clinics of United Memorial.  United Memorial will provide physician coverage through the employment of Dr. Diehl, Dr. Odrobina and Midwife, Kimberly Danser. Deliveries will be performed at UMMC in Batavia.

Patients at the Women’s Health Center should experience little to no disruption of service as it relates to routine office visits. As with all expectant parents, tours of United Memorial’s Maternity Unit will be offered to patients of the Women’s Health Center so they are familiar with the surroundings before they arrive to deliver.

In the past few years, United Memorial has made several improvements to its fourth floor Maternity Unit with a total renovation of the 4th floor operating room, creation of an additional Labor, Delivery and Recovery area (LDR) and decorative updates to another LDR and labor rooms. Enhanced infant security systems have been installed and new visitor elevators are about to be put into service. UMMC also works collaboratively with Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and the University of Rochester Medical Center for annual chart review’s for quality.

On average, United Memorial experiences over 500 births per year. In 2010, there were 132 births at Medina Memorial.
(Posted 8/8/11)


Memorial Day Services Scheduled
Memorial Day Services have been scheduled for United Memorial Medical Center for Monday, May 30th at 10:30 am at the Hospital’s Bank Street Campus, the Jerome Center.

The Batavia Concert Band will assemble at approximately 10 am to perform for those attending the service. The names of veterans who have passed away since Memorial Day 2010 will be read aloud and a wreath honoring those who died in service will be placed near the flag pole. Prayers will be read from each of the five distinct military branches.The monument that stood in front of the hospital at North Street was removed during renovations and the plaques were placed in temporary storage. The veterans will unveil their plans for a new monument to be placed at the Bank Street site.

Light refreshments will be served at this event and the community is encouraged to attend.
(Posted 5/26/11)



Important Blood Drive Scheduled
A blood drive has been scheduled for this Friday, May 27th at United Memorial’s Cary Auditorium at 211 East Main Street, Batavia from 9 am to 2 pm.

The American Red Cross has alerted United Memorial that the supply of Type O negative and Type B negative blood continues to be at critical levels. With the summer months approaching, we need assistance in replenishing the current supply and preventing a further drop. Since Type O negative blood can be used for all patients in need, it is crucial that there is a sufficient supply.

United Memorial, through a contractual agreement with the Red Cross, sponsors a number of Blood Drives through out the year. Donors who give at these drives help the Hospital reach donor goals which offset and help to reduce the cost of blood products received through the American Red Cross.

Appointments for the Blood Drive on Friday, May 25th may be made by calling (585)344-5474 however, walk-ins are welcome. Each presenting donor will receive a $10 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.
(Posted 5/25/11)



UMMC Receives Department of Health Honor
The NYS Department of Health has issued a Certificate of Excellence to United Memorial for the Maternity Departments efforts to prevent the perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus (Hep B). A recent medical record review revealed 100% compliance with requirements under public health law mandating testing, reporting and recording of Hepatitis B status for all pregnant women and a minimum 90% birth dose rate of HBV vaccine was given to all newborns.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can lead to chronic liver infections, liver failure and liver cancer. It may be transmitted through contact with body fluids from an infected person, sharing contaminated needles and from infected mother to newborn. The Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all infants, older children and adolescents not previously vaccinated and adults at risk for Hepatitis B infection. The rate of infection in the United States has declined by 82% since 1990 when the vaccination of children for Hepatitis B was implemented.

Approximately 500 babies are delivered each year at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
(Posted 5/10/11)



Diabetes Education Event
United Memorial Medical Center will host a community education event, Diabetes Alert, on Thursday April 14, 2011 at Bohn’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility, Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Doors open at 4:30 pm for informational displays. A light dinner will be served at 5:45 pm and will befollowed by a program featuring guest speaker, Riva Greenberg. Ms. Greenberg an author and Huffington Post contributor was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1972. She will share her story and the importance of managing diabetes. Additional presenters include Becky Swanson, YMCA Fitness Instructor addressing fitness at any age and a member of the UMMC Clinical Pharmacy Department discussing diabetes medication.

Tickets, which include a light dinner and program are $8 each and available through the Hospital’s Healthy Living Department. Checks may be made payable to UMMC and mailed to Healthy Living, 127 North Street, Batavia, NY 14020. Payment may be made in person at the office location at Cary Hall, 211 East Main Street, Batavia between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Tickets are pre-sale only and available until April 4th.
(Posted 3/17/11)