Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo celebrates its history and the people who shaped it

For more than 130 years, Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo has been a place where children and families find hope, care and connection. On November 4 and 5, the hospital celebrated its history and the generations of people who have helped shape pediatric care in Western New York with the dedication of a permanent History Wall.

The celebration began Wednesday, November 4, with a special preview for hospital team members, community partners and special guests. The History Wall features photographs, stories and milestones that bring the hospital's legacy to life, recognizing the physicians, nurses, staff, patients, families and supporters who have been part of its journey.

Guests included Cynthia Cimenelli, co-founder of Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo's Healing Arts program; Scott Propeack, director of the Burchfield Penney Art Center and curator of the hospital's art collection; and Eunice A. Lewin, a Western New York educator, bilingual social worker and civic leader recognized through the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum's Making History Network. Community supporter DJ Milk also joined the celebration, along with representatives and creators behind Hope Totes and other community initiatives.

Art and creativity were also part of the celebration. Through the hospital's Healing Arts Committee, artist Patti "The Ghost" Thomas led a collaborative "Choose Love" art installation, inviting participants to contribute their own creativity and personal expression to a piece that will become part of the hospital environment.

On Thursday, November 5, hospital leadership, community partners, special guests and members of the media gathered for the official History Wall dedication and ribbon-cutting.

Remarks were shared by Don Boyd, president and CEO of Kaleida Health; Dr. Stephen Turkovich, president of Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo; Dr. Howard Faden, professor of pediatrics at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; and Patricia "Pat" Daigler, representing the Daigler family.

Dr. Faden, who helped champion the project, emphasized the importance of preserving the hospital's history and recognizing the physicians, scientists and caregivers whose contributions have made a lasting difference.

Dr. Turkovich reflected on the hospital's more than 130-year legacy and the importance of honoring those who came before while inspiring future generations of pediatric caregivers and innovators.

Founded in 1892, the hospital has grown from its original location on Bryant Street to its current home on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Today, Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo continues to provide specialized care for children and families throughout Western New York and beyond.

The History Wall serves as a tribute to that journey and a reminder that the hospital's story has always been about more than a building. It is a story of dedicated caregivers, courageous patients, supportive families, medical advancements and a community that believes every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

As the hospital looks to the future, the History Wall offers an opportunity to reflect on the people and moments that brought it here and recognize that its history is still being written.