Medina Memorial honors two long-time dynamic leaders – Dr. Arthur Mruczek and Barbara Waters
Spring Soiree Gala raises nearly $25K for OCH Foundation
Provided photo: Dr. Arthur Mruczek shared his life’s joys at practicing ophthalmology while living in Medina for 41 years. He was honored on Saturday at the Spring Soiree Gala at Bent’s Opera House
MEDINA – Two long-time Medina citizens were honored by Orleans Community Health at their Spring Soiree Gala on Saturday night at Bent’s Opera House.
Barbara Waters and Dr. Arthur Mruczek were presented with Bowen Awards for their dedication and lifelong support of Medina Memorial Hospital. The Bowen Award, the most prestigious honor given by the hospital, is named for the hospital’s founder, George Bowen.
Provided photo: Barbara Waters was honored for her many years as a key supporter and leader of Medina Memorial Hospital. In 1971, she became the first woman to serve as board chair for the hospital.
The evening began with a welcome from Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health, who said it was always an honor to not only relay positive news and updates from Orleans Community Health, but to recognize two incredible individuals.
He called the gala a meaningful show of support for healthcare close to home, and thanked Baxter Healthcare for agreeing to be bar sponsor.
“We are coming off a very exciting, yet challenging year,” Shurtz continued. “While we celebrate our successes, they do not come easily. It is well documented that rural hospitals and healthcare systems are struggling. While more patients continue to choose us for care, the cost of providing that care is on the rise. This is a challenge we are facing head on.
“Last summer primary care services launched the recently-opened Medina Healthcare Center. While renovations and construction are on the horizon, we are going to be able to jump-start those renovations thanks to a $1.9 million grant. But we are going to need more to get over the finish line.”
At the end of last year, the hospital announced acquisition of Great Lakes Surgical Associates with Dr. Schratz and Dr. Hodge in Lockport.
“Not only does this move expand our geographical footprint, it also nearly doubles the monthly surgeries taking place at Medina Memorial Hospital,” Shurtz said. “We have not seen an increase like this in years.”
Shurtz added that many other services are on a strong trajectory, showing the true need for the hospital in the community and reinforcing that more families are choosing Orleans Community Health for their care.
“But growing and progress like this require partnership,” Shurtz said. “Philanthropy plays a critical role in ensuring we can continue to advance services, invest in infrastructure and respond to emerging needs, especially during challenging financial times for rural healthcare.”
He shared that just last year Orleans Community Health Foundation supported more than $100,000 in projects at OCH, including a new fuel tank to protect operations and critical surgical scopes needed for their expanding surgical services.
“These investments directly impact patient care and operational stability,” he said. “Your generosity truly makes a difference.”
Shurtz added his excitement at the opportunity to recognize Waters and Mruczek, whom he called “incredible individuals.”
“They both had remarkable careers and carried on the original desire of George Bowen to bring quality care into our community,” he said. “Barbara Waters and Dr. Arthur Mruczek invested much of their individual lives in the community. We have the privilege of knowing some of those contributions directly influenced the hospital.”
Dr. Mruczek is not only a well-respected ophthalmologist, he was medical director of Medina Memorial Hospital, Shurtz said.
“His leadership within the hospital and medical community has contributed meaningfully to advancing quality care close to home,” Shurtz said. “Generations of families in the region have benefited from his commitment to excellence and his steady, thoughtful guidance.”
Waters was recognized for her visionary leadership and enduring advocacy for seniors and community healthcare. As founder of The Willows Adult Home and Orchard Manor, she expanded essential senior living services in Medina, ensuring that older adults could remain in their community with dignity and support.
“A longstanding member of the Medina Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Mrs. Waters’ impact on the aging community may simply be unmatched,” Shurtz added.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Orleans Community Health CEO Marc Shurtz, left, listens as Jeanne Crane, a retired nurse, reads a tribute to Barbara Waters, one of two hospital supporters honored at the hospital’s Spring Soiree Gala Saturday at Bent’s Opera House. (Right) Kassie Smith accepts the award for her mother, Barbara Waters, who was unable to attend Orleans Community Health’s Spring Soiree Gala Saturday night. Waters and Dr. Arthur Murczek each were recipients of the Bowen Award, named for the hospital’s founder George Bowen.
Jeanne Crane, a retired nurse, presented the Bowen Award to Kassie Smith on behalf of her mother Barbara Waters.
“Tonight we have the profound privilege of honoring a woman whose leadership helped shape not only this hospital, but the very fabric of healthcare in our community,” Crane said. “The Bowen Award recognizes those who see beyond the moment – who build for the future, and who ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible close to home. Barbara Waters was one of those rare visionaries.
“At a time when few women held leadership roles in business, let alone in healthcare governance, Barbara stepped forward with confidence and conviction,” Crane said.
Her leadership in the community did not end there.
“As comptroller of her father’s company, Frank J. Balcerzak & Son Construction, she helped shape the physical landscape of Western New York – building schools, churches, homes and commercial spaces that still stand today,” Crane said. “Her work helped build communities, quite literally from the ground up.”
In 1971, she became the first woman to serve as president of the hospital board – a historic milestone in itself, Crane said.
“But what defines her legacy is not simply that she held the title,” Crane continued. “It is what she did with it. She led during periods of financial instability and physician shortages. She understood that a hospital is only as strong as its medical staff, and she helped spearhead the recruitment of physicians who not only practiced here, but made Medina their home and raised their families here.”
One of Crane’s favorite memories of Barbara is the time when the hospital administrator was sick and Barbara took over as acting administrator.
“The nurses petitioned her to allow them to wear pant suits, and she agreed,” Crane said.
“While the challenges look different today, the foundation Barbara helped build – one of resilience, local stewardship, recruitment, innovation and unwavering community commitment – continues to sustain us,” she said. “Because of leaders like Barbara Waters, we are still here.”
Kassie Smith stepped to the podium to read her mother’s letter of acceptance and regret for not being able to attend.
“You know I always enjoyed a good party, and at 95 years of age, I still do,” Waters wrote. “Preparing these remarks gave me the opportunity to dig out my scrapbooks and remember the good, the frustrating and the rewarding times in my healthcare career – something I never really envisioned. You see, I had already committed to a career in construction with my dad, where I spent 25 years.
“I was involved with the hospital as a member of Tupelo Twig, and like other Twigs, we raised money for the hospital and volunteered our services,” Waters shared in her letter. “One example I will always remember is making diaper pads out of the Medina Daily Journal for babies in our nursery unit.”
Waters also told about her years on the hospital board, serving as acting administrator and making the decision to let nurses wear pant suits. She left the board after 17 years, having built Orchard Manor Nursing Home, which opened in 1972. She served as administrator until selling it to Medina Memorial Hospital in 1988 to build The Willows. In selling the nursing home she said it was important ownership stay in Medina.
In 1992, she returned to the hospital board and again became president.
“At that time, the hospital was facing financial challenges and our community lacked doctors – especially specialists,” Waters wrote. “Bringing in doctors became a top priority for the board. Our vice president Van Hungerford and I met with the Rochester Regional Council to obtain approval to establish a five-physician group practice. We were successful in recruiting several physicians.”
These included Dr. Rho, an OB-GYN; Dr. Ghaly, an anesthesiologist; Dr. Abbasey, a surgeon; Dr. Bath, an internist; and Dr. Madejski, a geriatric internist.
“All of these physicians made Medina their home and raised their families here,” Waters shared.
Board members even helped in the search for homes in Medina for the new doctors, and personally showed them around when they arrived, Waters said.
“Our board was active and committed – and raised $1.2 million for the hospital’s first addition,” Waters said. “These memories are a reminder of some of the struggles we faced – much like the challenges you face today in keeping Medina Memorial and Orleans Community Health viable, accessible and financially sound. Looking back, I’m glad I was involved – when I was, where I was, and for all that we accomplished in the community. Thank you so much for this honor.”
In introducing Dr. Arthur Mruczek, Kim Gray said that as a surgical nurse she had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Mruczek in the operating room for nearly 10 years before he retired.
“I can tell you, standing beside a surgeon day after day gives you a perspective that few people get to see,” Gray said. “Dr. Mruczek didn’t just practice medicine here – he chose Medina. After his training, he could have gone anywhere – to large cities and major medical centers, but instead, he came to a small rural community and built something extraordinary. He brought world-class ophthalmologic care to a place where people might otherwise had had to travel hours for it.
“In the operating room, we all knew something special was happening when Dr. Mruczek stepped up to the table. His hands were unbelievably steady, his focus unmatched and his memory incredible. But what stood out even more than his surgical skill was how much he cared about every patient who came through the door. As nurses, we saw the gratitude in patients’ eyes when their bandages came off and they realized they could see clearly again. We saw the relief, the smiles and sometimes even the tears.”
Two guests dressed in their finest ’50s outfits at the Spring Soiree Gala are Brandi Pasnik of Medina and Jeanne Crane, a retired nurse and presenter of one of the Bowen Awards.
Gray said anyone who worked with Dr. Mruczek knew that his impact wasn’t just clinical. He brought joy to the hospital.
“He had a laugh that carried down the hallway, a sense of humor that could lighten the busiest day in surgery and a warmth that made staff and patients feel comfortable the moment he walked into the room,” Gray said.
Gray added that Dr. Mruczek’s career has been filled with accomplishments – teaching in Poland, leadership in medical societies, awards, recognitions from colleagues and even presidents and meeting with two Popes.
“But I think the thing that matters most isn’t written on a plaque or certificate,” Gray said. “It’s the thousands of people in this community who see better today because of him. It’s the nurses, staff and colleagues who were lucky enough to learn from him. And it’s the lasting mark he left on this small rural hospital and this town that he chose to call ‘home.’”
In presenting Dr. Mruczek with the Bowen Award, Gray said, “Doctor, your surgical skill restored sight to thousands. Your kindness earned the trust of generations. And your presence helped shape the culture of this hospital. On behalf of our entire hospital family, thank you for choosing Medina, for caring for our community and for leaving a legacy that will continue to inspire all of us.”
In accepting his award, Dr. Mruczek said he was truly overwhelmed and deeply honored for the recognition.
“It means the world to me,” he said. “George Bowen was also known as ‘Doc,’ and I am humbled to follow in his footsteps.”
Dr. Mruczek acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife of 56 years, Donna, and introduced his son Arthur Jr. and wife Michelle and daughter Patty and her husband George Schlegel. He thanked the staff at Lake Plains Eye Care Center, which he founded. Three dedicated staff members were in attendance – Carol Bellack, his surgery nurse; Jackie Jurinich and Kathy McHugh.
He paid tribute to those who paved the way – Dr. Joseph Misiti, Van Hungerford, Dr. Ekran John Boulos and Roland Howell.
After completing medical school, Dr. Mruczek said the pressure was put on him to stay in Buffalo.
“The Buffalo Medical Group assured me I would be inactive in a small town like Medina,” Mrucek said. “They even pressured my wife Donna.”
Dr. Richard Cooper, whose parents were doctors in Albion said, “Don’t let him waste his talent in the boonies.”
Kim Gray, head of surgery at Medina Memorial Hospital, gives Dr. Arthur Mruczek a hug before introducing him at the hospital gala Saturday night.
But “Doc” and Donna toured Orleans County in 1975 and John Kennedy, who was mayor of Medina at the time, spent an entire day showing them the area.
“He highlighted Medina’s potential, the hospital and a bustling Main Street that felt vibrant and welcoming,” Dr. Mruczek said. “Honestly, I think he could have sold anything to anyone. Imagine a farm boy from Corfu, about to embark on a new chapter. We bought an Italianate villa on West Center Street, which reminded me of my home in Corfu. It became our home for 41 years, a place where our family grew and our roots deepened.”
He founded Lake Plains Eye Center adjacent to his home and built an office to serve the community’s vision needs.
“Medina truly became a wonderful place to live and raise a family,” he said. “Founding Lake Plains Eye Center was a milestone, but what truly shaped my experience here was the warmth of the people. This town welcomed us, celebrated our joys and supported us through challenges. That spirit has always made Medina feel like home.”
In concluding, Dr. Mruczek said Medina Memorial Hospital stands as a testament to those who supported its growth.
“Today we have medicines, advanced instruments and new protocols which save lives and improve quality of life,” he said. “In 1975, cataract surgery meant six days in the hospital with sandbags; now most patients achieve 20/20 vision by the next day.”
“While rural hospitals face new challenges, Medina continues to thrive, thanks to the resilience and heart of its people,” Dr. Mruczek said. “I’m happy Medina was our family home. It’s been a privilege to practice medicine in such a welcoming community. To all who are here tonight and everyone who has been part of Medina’s story, thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives. Serving this community has been the greatest honor of my career, and I look forward with hope that together we will continue to build a legacy of care, compassion and progress.”
The evening also included a buffet, 1950s music and silent auction. A special prize from an anonymous donor of a three-night stay at a home in Celebration, Fla. and four one-day passes to Disney Park was valued at $3,500 and auctioned off for $6,000.
“We are incredibly grateful to our donors, sponsors and community members who made this year’s gala such a success,” said Megan Johnson, director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation. “Raising nearly $25,000 in one evening is a powerful reminder of how deeply this community believes in local healthcare. It was especially meaningful to honor our Bowen Award recipients, Dr. Arthur Mruczek and Mrs. Barbara Waters, whose leadership and dedication have helped shape healthcare in our community for generations. Their legacy of service truly reflects the spirit of the evening.”
