First Niagara partners with Lakeside Health System

First Niagara Bank Foundation has awarded $10,000 to Lakeside Health System to support Lakeside Memorial Hospital's Surgical Services.

"As a community bank, First Niagara proudly makes our support of charitable organizations a priority," said Susan Sztaba, First Niagara's Brockport Branch Manager. "Supporting organizations like Lakeside Health System, which have such a positive impact on the quality of life here, is a great opportunity for us to help make a difference. By embracing the significance of giving as part of our business philosophy, we believe we are making First Niagara a better place to work and this community a better place to live," added Sztaba.

This donation will be used toward the purchase of new sterilization equipment critical to maintain laparoscopic instruments. Currently, hundreds of surgical procedures performed at Lakeside utilize special surgical laparoscopic equipment. This equipment allows surgeons to view the internal organs and identify and treat conditions without more invasive surgeries. By eliminating large incisions typical of open surgery, pain and recovery times are reduced, yielding greater patient benefits and reducing the cost of surgical procedures.

Lakeside's sterilization equipment is in need of replacement and this grant will allow Lakeside to purchase new sterilization equipment which will reduce the process time and improve the health and safety of patients and staff. This project will benefit the thousands of Lakeside patients residing in the communities which First Niagara Bank and Lakeside serve, according to hospital representatives.

Lakeside's medical staff includes a team of 26 surgeons who perform procedures in a variety of specialties including ophthalmology, orthopedic, plastic, vascular, otolaryngology, urology and general surgery. Lakeside has recently attracted orthopedic surgeons from University Orthopedic Associates affiliated with Strong Memorial Hospital, including a general orthopedic surgeon and a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Specialists in spine surgery from the University of Rochester Spine Center had also joined our medical staff, along with neurosurgeons affiliated with Strong.