24 Oct Michael Manka, MD: A 2025 Unsung Hero
During his clinical shifts, Dr. Manka is known for his outstanding communication skills with colleagues, patients, and visitors, and his compassionate approach to patient care. His unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership is impressive; he works tirelessly and has shown resilience and courage in the face of extraordinary challenges. Members of the healthcare team at ECMC and the patients we serve are better because of Dr. Manka’s involvement.
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Manka helped to develop policies to keep healthcare practitioners and patients safe. Dr. Manka’s leadership has always been powered by his personal and professional mission to provide the best care for all. Not only was Dr. Manka’s guidance instrumental for managing emergency care during the early days of the pandemic, but he also simultaneously oversaw the opening of the KeyBank Trauma and Emergency Department. The new facility nearly doubled the department’s physical footprint to 54,000 sf and increased patient treatment space from 36 to 57 stations including 4 dedicated trauma rooms and a care initiation zone to support an enhanced triage model of care.
Dr. Manka always leads the ECMC Emergency Department from the front; he will never ask someone to do something he would not do himself. This quality has been epitomized by his presence in the Emergency Department during significant events for our community including the May 14, 2021 tragedy at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue and the 2022 Christmas Blizzard. Preparing to leave the Emergency Department at the end of his shift on May14th, Dr. Manka learned of the mass shooting from the nearby grocery store, so he stayed in the Emergency Department and worked along with his colleagues to prepare for the potential arrival of wounded victims.
During the 2022 Blizzard, Dr. Manka’s calm presence and advocacy during the storm ensured the patients, visitors, and healthcare partners were well cared for. He never left the hospital during the entire Blizzard and Christmas holiday to cover for staff who would have been endangered by trying to commute to the hospital during the height of the storm. Along with his clinical and leadership abilities, Dr. Manka’s devotion to his team and community highlights his inestimable impact on the lives of Western New Yorkers.
Recipient Bio:
Dr. Michael Manka currently serves as President of the Medical Dental Staff at ECMC, the region’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center that treats close to 70,000 patients per year. He serves on multiple committees focusing on improving and advancing care for all members of the community.
He also serves as the Executive Vice Chair for the University at Buffalo’s Department of Emergency Medicine where leads the 40 UBMD physicians and 40 advanced practice providers that provide care at this safety-net hospital. He is former Chief of Service of the Emergency Department for over 17 years.
– Jennifer Pugh, MD MBA