Joseph D. McDonald Healthcare Leaders Graduate Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Joanna Mach, Social Worker at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, recipient of the Joseph D. McDonald Healthcare Leaders Graduate Scholarship. The $5,000 scholarship will be presented over the next three years, to a Catholic Health associate in an approved MBA or MHA degree program. Joanna is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration at D’Youville College.

Named in honor of Catholic Health President Emeritus Joe McDonald, the scholarship was created to recognize Joe’s strong commitment to professional development and his support of educational opportunities to help our associates achieve their career goals. Like so many, Joanna’s story is one of personal growth and professional development throughout her career at Catholic Health.

Catholic Health President & CEO Mark Sullivan (back row) presented the scholarship to Joanna Mach (center) during an afternoon ceremony at the ARTC on August 22. Pictured with Joanna are her children John, AliviaLyn, and Gianna; Josh Dobbs; and parents Bonnie and Bill Mach.

Joanna joined Father Baker Manor in 2005 as a Medical Secretary, later becoming a Clinical Nurse Assistant. Through her interactions with the facility’s Social Workers, she developed an interest in the field. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, she worked as a nursing assistant in the ER at St. Joseph Campus.

Her contact with the ER Case Manager led her to pursue a hospital-based social work internship at Kenmore Mercy. She excelled as an intern, becoming a passionate advocate for her patients. After receiving her Social Work degree in 2012, she joined the Case Management Department at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo.

Her strong desire to help others was clearly evident from the time she joined Catholic Health. Pursuing a career in Social Work gave her the ability to have a direct impact on the lives of her patients and their families. Now, by pursuing a degree in Healthcare Administration, Joanna hopes to have an even bigger impact on healthcare delivery in our community.

In recommending Joanna for the scholarship a colleague said, “one of her greatest strengths is her ability to balance her professional life, her academic studies and her family responsibilities. Whatever challenges confront her, Joanna ‘leaves them at the door’ when she enters the hospital. She is focused on providing optimum social work and discharge planning services to patients and families. If you are ever at Mercy Hospital, you will recognize Joanna by her genuine and warm greeting and her infectious smile.”

Over the past 13 years, Joanna has brought considerable skill and talent to Catholic Health, along with a deep commitment to our Mission and Values. We are pleased to support her continued success and wish her all the best as she completes her degree.