Burn and trauma services renamed to honor benefactors

The University of Rochester Medical Center’s regional burn and trauma services have been renamed in honor of two Rochester-area restaurateurs who have raised millions of dollars to support them.

Laurence Kessler and Dennis Kessler, founders and co-owners of the Kessler Group, Inc. & Kessler Family, LLC, which operates 21 Burger King and 48 Friendly’s restaurants in the greater Rochester area, have given more than $3 million to the Medical Center’s burn and trauma services. Their new commitment of $1 million will create an endowment to ensure future growth of burn and trauma programs, as well as supporting other University projects.

In recognition of their past and future generosity, the Medical Center has renamed the entire program as the Kessler Burn & Trauma Center. The Kessler Center name will now be used to reference all areas within the Medical Center that provide emergent, inpatient, and outpatient care for patients with traumatic injuries and burns.

“The Kesslers have raised the standard of care in our community through their unflagging support for the only Level One trauma program in our region,” said University President Joel Seligman. “Their generosity has enabled our staff to save many lives and eased the suffering of many more in the 17 counties we serve.  We are pleased to recognize their extraordinary commitment.”

The Kessler Burn & Trauma Center treats more than 3,000 people each year with severe blunt and penetrating injuries and features the area’s only dedicated burn service. It boasts an expert team of fellowship-trained specialists bolstered by the most advanced technologies for treating minor to severe injuries in modern facilities financed, in part, by the Kesslers.

Laurence Kessler is a member of the University’s board of trustees. Dennis Kessler, the Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Simon Graduate School of Business, is a member of the Medical Center’s board of directors.