IN BUSINESS: Sanger Farms announces expansion, Family & Children's adds board members

Sanger Farms, a year-round farm, produce and bakery has just finished a renovation to its business.

Mike and Sandy Tuck, along with their family have expanded their offerings to include an outdoor picnic area, trails and the new Back Barn Café.

The picnic area (with tables made by Mike and his son) overlook a scenic pond on the property and the hiking trails will be open to explore the farmland and orchards.

For more information on the business, visit www.SangerFarm.com or facebook.com/sangerfarms/

Family & Children’s appoints board members

Family & Children’s Service of Niagara recently appointed two new members to its board of directors.

• Chuck Marra is the executive director of the American Red Cross. A resident of Niagara Falls, Marra has years of experience in fundraising and advancement with the Diocese of Buffalo and Catholic Charities, as well as volunteer experience with the Niagara Falls Catholic Schools Board.

• Douglas Haak, a graduate of the FBI Academy, is a captain with the Lockport Police Department and an Associate Professor at ECC. A Lockport resident, Haak is currently president of the Lockport Youth and Recreation Board and previously served on the steering committee of the Cornerstone Arena.

Founded in 1895, Family & Children's Service of Niagara is celebrating 121 years of providing social work services to the community.

NU instructor to chair consortium

Mitchell Alegre, instructor of management and leadership in Niagara University's College of Business Administration, has been named chair of the Western New York Student Leadership and Engagement Consortium.

The consortium is part of WNY College Connection, a collaborative entity among 21 regional colleges and universities.

The WNY Student Leadership and Engagement Consortium is a group of higher education professionals who collaborate to share expertise, leverage resources, explore best practices, provide student programming, and expand the impact of their work. Consortium members seek to inspire students to explore a life of active citizenship through the process of leadership development.

Alegre and Donna Phillips, associate professor in NU's College of Education, are also members of the College Connection's newly formed WNY contemplative faculty/staff group. The group serves as a hub to bring professionals together across disciplines and institutional boundaries to promote the educational efficacy of contemplative practices.

Alegre also serves on the consortium's strategic planning and community outreach committees.

Memorial awarded national reaccreditation

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center was recently awarded a three-year reaccreditation from the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), an independent accreditation organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Memorial earned this distinction after the HFAP conducted an extensive and objective review of the quality and safety standards of the medical center and its satellite locations.

“Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center clearly demonstrates a commitment to quality patient care,” said Lawrence Haspel, chairman of the Bureau of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation for the HFAP. “We base our decision on federal standards as well as recognized national standards for patient safety, quality improvement, and environmental safety. Niagara Falls Memorial met or exceeded the standards in every case.”

Added Memorial President & CEO Joseph A. Ruffolo, “We’re proud to achieve this prestigious distinction. The awarding of the HFAP accreditation is a significant achievement that recognizes our commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community. In fact, quality is consistently the priority focus in our strategic plans and goals.”