Chairwoman Stanford, Mayor Brown and District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III were joined at the Mahoney Building today by other law enforcement and elected officials and victims’ assistance and medical professionals to showcase the “Making Strides” display and highlight a partnership between the District Attorney’s Office and
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) that provides immediate assistance to anyone who is the victim of a gunshot or stabbing.
The program was borne out of discussions that began more than two years ago and were spearheaded by Kathleen Mehltretter, the acting U.S. Attorney for Western New York, and two officials from ECMC: Ann Victor-Lazarus, vice president for quality outcomes, and Peggy Cramer, vice president of trauma and emergency services.
District Attorney Sedita explained: “They recognized that the victims of violent crime suffer from more than the trauma of their physical injuries, but often lacked the resources to navigate through the criminal justice system. This program is the result of their vision and dedication.”
“Through the selfless, tireless and compassionate efforts of the medical personnel of ECMC and the Victim/Witness Assistance staff, we were able to help these victims recover from all of their injuries,” District Attorney Sedita added. “I am so proud to stand here today in solemn recognition of all of the victims of crime.”
