The Erie County Medical Center has undergone a $12 million expansion. Hospital officials and staff cut the ribbon, Thursday, on a new unit, with 22 state-of-the-art private rooms, to help meet the growing demand for elective surgeries - especially joint replacement.
Dr. Phil Stegemann, clinical director of ECMC Orthopaedics, said, the new unit includes a dedicated educational room where patients will be given a plan about what to expect during their stay.
"If patients realize that, 'I know what's going to happen to me', a lot of their fears and anxiety is relieved. So when they leave after that educational session they really feel comfortable about what's going on." And Stegemann said, that allows patients to put all their energy into healing.
ECMC's new Orthopaedic Unit is named for restaurateur Russell Salvatore - who contributed $500,000 towards the project.