Mount St. Mary's Hospital dedicates new multi-specialty health center

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Catholic Health and Mount St. Mary’s Hospital leadership gathered Monday at the Lewiston medical campus to officially dedicate a new, $7.5 million upgrade intended to provide patients with more convenient access to services.

A press conference and blessing took place on the hospital’s second floor – now transformed into a multi-specialty health center. Available services include neurology, bariatrics, general surgery, psychiatry, gastroenterology, nephrology, orthopedics, endocrinology, oncology, and infectious diseases.

Jeremy Essman, president of Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Lockport Memorial Hospital, said, “We gather not only to open a space, but to bless the next chapter of health and compassionate care here at Mount St. Mary's.

Jeremy Essman

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“Today, we dedicate the new Mount St. Mary's health center, located on this beautifully renovated second floor. The center stands as a tangible symbol of our unwavering commitment to the community we serve – a commitment powered by action. In fact, this health center is part of a $7.5 million investment in technology and infrastructure that will continue through 2025. Some of these investments include a new, state-of-the-art CT scanner and cutting-edge mammography equipment, ensuring our patients have access to the earliest and most precise diagnostic testing. We've also strategically relocated our outpatient cardiac center lab to enhance collaboration and streamline the patient’s journey.

“But our investment goes beyond technology. It is an investment in human dignity. In our main lobby, we've introduced a new registration model – one inspired by Lockport Memorial Hospital’s success – designed to create a more-welcoming atmosphere and a less-stressful experience.”

Catholic Health President and CEO Joyce Markiewicz said, “This center was designed with one clear purpose: To make it easier for the residents of Lewiston, Niagara Falls and all of western Niagara County to receive the exceptional, comprehensive health care they deserve, without having to travel far to get it.

Joyce Markiewicz

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“In addition to Mount St. Mary's full-service ER, inpatient beds and dedicated ICU, this multi-specialty center allows patients to see specialists, complete lab work, imaging, and connect with care teams all in one visit. It's a model we've seen succeed at our Lockport Memorial Hospital campus, and we're proud to bring that same integrated, patient-centered approach to the people of western Niagara County.

“By having these services together in one location, we're not just increasing convenience, we're strengthening the continuity and ensuring people can move through their health care journey with confidence and local support.

“This center brings together primary care and an impressive range of specialists – from neurology and orthopedics to oncology, infectious disease and more. And while the care is delivered right here in Lewiston, every patient who walks through these doors is also connected with the Catholic Health network.

“Most importantly, this center reflects our unwavering commitment to serving this community and everyone who counts on us to be here when it matters the most. This is an investment in the health care of Niagara County today, and for years to come.”

Vice President of Operations Kyle Donovan said construction took about eight months and covered 10 different specialties and 27 different exam rooms.

“We were focused on providing access to that specialty care right here within the community of Lewiston and the surrounding areas,” he said. “We took an area that wasn’t being used, invested significantly in it, and got providers all under one roof.”

Donovan noted, “So much care is ambulatory now. That's been a significant transition that's been happening for a long time, and that's exactly what we're providing here. We still do provide the emergency services that this community needs. We still provide the inpatient services, the ICU services that this community needs. We're providing all of your traditional services that typically happen within an acute-care setting. But we're also realizing that we want to offer specialty ambulatory care to this community, as well, and this investment allows us to do that.”

Essman said, “The community here – fantastic people that just want health care locally. They want to keep it here. We want to serve the patients here. I'm very fond of this community and the people that are here, and we want to serve them.”

He added, “When you're in a rural environment, trying to seek top-notch care, that is a struggle across the entire nation. So, for Catholic Health to be able to serve the community here and keep services here locally, it will prevent a lot of the barriers when people are trying to get outside the area. I think that's critically important, and we want to be a part of that.”

A blessing was offered by the Rev. Monsignor Robert E. Zapfel, STD, chair of the Catholic Health corporate members board, and the Diocese of Buffalo bishop’s representative for health care.

He shared a passage from the Gospel of Matthew wherein Jesus healed a centurion’s servant. Zapfel said, “We’re reminded of the human side of Jesus: compassion, pity, concern for the sick. …

“The mission of Catholic Health, then, is a continuation of the mission of Jesus: Human beings serving other human beings – not just medically – that's essential and vitally important – but also from the heart; with a sense of compassion; following in the example of the Lord – this is what we seek to do. We bless not just one medical center here – not just one more clinic – but a place where faith and hope and comfort and compassion are merged with the best in medical science.

Rev. Monsignor Robert E. Zapfel prepares to dedicate the new multi-specialty health center.

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“Catholic Health's commitment to this community is important. It's commitment to each individual in this community is essential. And so, this is our promise to this community today: That this new clinic will serve the physical needs of people, but also touch their hearts, touch their souls, and renew them in hope – because they've experienced compassion here, in this hospital, in this clinic.”

A look inside some of the new waiting rooms.