David P. Hughes MD, MPH, FACEP

Age 53, of Clarence, NY, passed unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. David was known for his infectiously positive personality and his unwavering love for his family and community. Remembered by his wife and kids as devoted, caring, brilliant, and magnetic, and by colleagues as energetic and engaging, Dr. Hughes was an accomplished physician, health care leader, business owner, entrepreneur, engineer, husband, father, brother, son, and friend. David spent the last two decades serving the community he loved most, leaving an indelible mark on Western New York healthcare by focusing on quality of care, education, and the building of a better integrated system. Most recently, he was the executive vice president for strategy and partnerships for Kaleida Health as well as serving as the CEO of Great Lakes Integrated Network. David also worked in academia as a member of the volunteer faculty at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine. David worked relentlessly as a steadfast leader to bring the health systems and the university to a common goal of better care for Western New York by strengthening the vital synergies between clinicians, medical educators, and UB students and residents. David took great pride in being a lifelong learner across multiple disciplines, in both academic and professional settings. Prior to entering medical school, David received his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan and worked as a process engineer at the General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant. After working at General Motors, David received his medical degree from the University at Buffalo Medical School and completed his residency in emergency medicine at Wake Forest University Medical Center in North Carolina. As a practicing physician, David furthered his education by receiving his master’s degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Most recently, David completed a program in Managing Health Care Delivery from the Harvard Business School. David found immense fulfillment in his professional life, but above all, he found the most joy in spending time with his family. David met the love of his life, Kathlin, at age 14 when they were high school students in Buffalo, New York, and have been inseparable ever since. Together, they raised three children: Arianna, Nathaniel, and Kaitlin, who will carry on their father’s legacy and zeal for life. Despite David’s tireless work ethic, he always prioritized time with his family and deeply cherished every moment with his wife and kids. Dr. Hughes was an avid skier, biker, and golfer and enjoyed nothing more than sharing these experiences with his family. As a testament to David’s lifelong vocation to further the advancement of medical education and the quality of patient outcomes, his family is honored to establish the David Paul Hughes M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Jacobs School of Medicine. Dr. Hughes’s vision and leadership have helped make the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo the outstanding institution it is today. This fund is set up to provide opportunity and increased access to a world-class education to further give back to the medical community and Western New York. Memorial gifts can be made to the “David Paul Hughes, MD Memorial Scholarship Fund” at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, c/o UB Foundation, P.O. Box 730, Buffalo, NY 14226-0730. Online giving link https://buffalo.edu/campaign/hughesscholarship. David was the beloved husband to Kathlin Hughes (nee Hobika); loving father to Arianna, Nathaniel, and Kaitlin Hughes; beloved son to Mary Jo Hughes (nee Durkin) and John Paul Hughes (late); loving brother to Daniel Hughes, John Hughes, Gregory Hughes, and Kathleen Conrad (nee Hughes). Family will be present Wednesday and Thursday, 3-8 PM at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 9:30 AM at St. Michael Church, 651 Washington St., Buffalo. Please assemble at church.