Jamie Volkenner Buffalo NY Death, Obituary – The Western New York healthcare community is mourning the loss of Jamie Volkenner, an Intensive Care RN at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) and Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, who passed away at the age of 38. Her death on June 12 has sparked an outpouring of grief and remembrance across Buffalo’s hospitals, where she was widely respected for her clinical excellence, her steady presence, and her boundless compassion.
For more than a decade, Jamie served the people of Buffalo with a deep sense of purpose. After earning her nursing degree from D’Youville College, she began what would become a distinguished career focused on critical care. Her work in ECMC’s ICU placed her at the center of some of the most demanding and emotional cases, but Jamie met every challenge with professionalism and heart.
“She was calm in the storm,” said one ECMC colleague. “No matter what chaos was unfolding around her, Jamie had this quiet way of making everyone feel safe—patients, families, and even her fellow nurses.”
Jamie’s leadership shone most brightly during the darkest periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. As ICU beds filled and frontline workers faced overwhelming stress, Jamie remained a source of strength. She took extra shifts, stayed late to comfort worried families, and provided mentorship to exhausted new staff. Her 2021 interview about the mental toll of pandemic nursing became a touchstone for many, reflecting a broader truth that healthcare professionals were living—but rarely saying aloud.
Beyond her clinical work, Jamie was an active member of Buffalo’s medical community. She participated in health fairs, offered mentorship to nursing students, and regularly advocated for improved mental health resources for caregivers. Her colleagues say she understood that healing extended beyond medicine—it meant offering dignity, listening closely, and showing up even when it was hard.
“She treated every patient like they were family,” said Rachel Jennings, Jamie’s longtime partner. “Her heart was enormous. She never lost sight of the people behind the illness.”
Jamie’s loss will be felt far beyond the ICU. She is survived by her mother, Carol Volkenner of Amherst; her sister, Melissa Volkenner and her partner Kevin Dunn; her nephew, Liam; and a close-knit network of friends and coworkers who now carry forward her memory and mission. Her passing leaves a space that cannot be filled, but her legacy—of strength, compassion, and unwavering care—will endure.
A candlelight vigil is being organized by nurses from ECMC and Mercy Hospital to celebrate Jamie’s life. Those wishing to honor her memory can contribute to a fund established in her name, supporting mental health services for frontline healthcare workers.
Jamie Volkenner gave her life to care. In doing so, she changed lives—and inspired countless others to follow her path.