Shared electronic health record initiative with Kaleida Health and ECMC aims to improve care coordination, patient safety, and access to health information.
BUFFALO, NY – October 26, 2026 – UBMD Physicians’ Group went live with the Epic electronic health record platform this past week, marking a major milestone in a regional healthcare technology initiative to connect patient information across UBMD, Kaleida Health, and Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).
The initiative represents an important step toward a more connected healthcare experience for patients throughout Western New York. By bringing clinical information together in a shared digital environment, Epic will help physicians and care teams access relevant patient records across participating organizations, support more coordinated treatment, and reduce barriers to sharing information.
As Western New York’s largest medical practice, UBMD Physicians’ Group brings together physicians across a broad range of medical specialties. UBMD and ECMC transitioned to Epic on Oct. 24, following Kaleida Health’s earlier implementation, creating new opportunities to strengthen connections between physicians and hospital partners across the region.
“Our patients don’t experience healthcare within the boundaries of a single practice or organization, and our systems should reflect that,” said Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, and president and CEO of UBMD Physicians’ Group. “Epic strengthens the connections among our physicians and hospital partners and gives us an important foundation for more coordinated care across Western New York. This is ultimately about making healthcare work better for our patients.”
Historically, patients receiving care across multiple practices and hospitals could encounter separate medical record systems, making it difficult to share information efficiently. Obtaining records, transferring imaging, and coordinating information among providers could create delays and additional work for patients and care teams.
Epic is designed to help address those challenges. With appropriate access and patient permissions, physicians can review relevant medical histories, medications, allergies, test results, and other clinical information to help inform treatment decisions.
The system also supports medication reconciliation and clinical workflows, helping care teams review medication information, coordinate care, and make more informed clinical decisions.
“The real value of this technology is the information it makes available to the people caring for patients,” said Asim Khan, PhD, chief data and information officer for UB health sciences and UBMD Physicians’ Group. “When providers have a more complete picture of a patient’s health history, they are better equipped to coordinate treatment and make informed clinical decisions. Connecting information across organizations also creates opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen patient safety, and make the healthcare experience less complicated for patients.”
The benefits of a more connected electronic health record extend beyond individual patient visits. As an academic medical organization affiliated with the Jacobs School, UBMD Physicians’ Group plays an important role in educating future physicians and advancing clinical research.
Access to more connected clinical information can help support medical education by preparing students, residents, and fellows to practice in an increasingly digital, data-driven healthcare environment. It can also create opportunities for researchers to identify potential clinical trial participants and study patient populations across participating organizations.
“From a clinical perspective, this is about giving physicians and care teams better tools to do their jobs,” said Brian Parker, MD, senior associate dean for clinical affairs at the Jacobs School and chief medical officer of UBMD Physicians’ Group. “More accessible information can help us coordinate care, improve medication safety and reduce the administrative challenges that can get in the way of treating patients.”
The Epic initiative reflects a collaborative effort involving clinical, technical, and operational teams across the participating organizations. Implementation and adoption efforts will continue as the organizations work to strengthen connections among providers and improve the experience of patients receiving care throughout Western New York.