The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute has again awarded a $1.5 million “Eliminating Hepatitis C by Improving Access to Care and Treatment” grant to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation’s Center for Hepatology Care. The center was previously funded by the same state source from 2015-2020.
As a result of the grant award, $300,000 per year will be awarded to the center over a five-year period from June 1 through May 31, 2026. Selection was based on the competitive review and evaluation of ECMC’s response to the grant request issued by the state health department in September 2019 for the Western New York region.
“We are very thankful to the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute for again recognizing the vital services provided through ECMC’s Center for Hepatology Care,” said physician Anthony Martinez, medical director of hepatology at ECMC. “Their continued support is further confirmation of the positive outcomes we have achieved for our patients. This critically important funding will enable our clinical team to improve access to care and treatment of hepatitis C patients throughout our region.”
The Center for Hepatology Care, established in 2012, is a key location for hepatitis Cvirus (HCV) management in Western New York, treating over 2,000 patients since its inception and it is now a well-established, sustainable program for primary care, comprehensive liver disease, and substance use management.
Photo: Martinez