Thriving Forward

Megan and Aaron discuss the Rochester Summer Meals program, its community partners, and changes in the era of COVID. Aaron Lattanzio is a senior program manager at Causewave Community Partners, Aaron has supported strategy, outreach and coordination efforts of the Summer Meals Partnership of Rochester since 2014. While working with the partnership Aaron has also worked on a variety of other youth-focused initiatives including student attendance in the Rochester City School District, youth nutrition and physical activity with Finger Lakes Eat Smart NY and GROW comprehensive health and development screenings with the Children’s Institute. As a former chef, Aaron has a passion for ensuring youth in our community have access to healthy and tasting food options.

https://www.summermealsroc.org/

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As part of the celebration of International Breastfeeding Month, Megan spoke with the outgoing Co-Presidents of the Rochester Regional Breastfeeding Coalition, Kate Lyness and Julie O’Hehir. They discuss the local options for breastfeeding support and the different levels of certification. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, check out this week's episode!

https://rochesterregionalbreastfeedingcoalition.com/

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In this episode Megan interviews Dr. Yvette Conyers, Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing at St. John Fisher College's Wegmans School of Nursing.  

Dr. Conyers is a Family Nurse Practitioner who specializes in completing in home risk assessments for Medicare Advantage consumers.  She received her associate degree from Monroe Community College, her RN-BS completion degree from the University of Rochester, and her master's in nursing education from Roberts Wesleyan College.  Shen then completed her Family Nurse Practitioner certificate and doctorate of nursing practice from St. John Fisher College.  Dr. Conyers received the Greater Rochester 40 under 40 African American Leaders award in 2011 and the Health Care Achievement Award from the Rochester Business Journal in 2019.  Dr. Conyers is the first president of the Rochester Black Nurses Association, founded in 2018.

To learn more, visit:  https://www.rocbna.org/

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In this episode Megan interviews Matt Fico, Community Outreach Coordinator at The Arc of Monroe.  Matt has been with The Arc since January 2019.  His job there is to provide information and drive community interest in The Arc’s Programs and Services. He works with area schools, care coordination organizations, community partners, families and people The Arc supports to educate and provide more details on programs, services and eligibility for enrollment.  Prior to his time at the Arc he was Independent Living Supervisor for The Regional Center for Independent Living in Rochester, and before that he spent 20 years in the corporate sector, in various positions. 

To contact Matt or learn more about The Arc of Monroe, email or visit:

mfico@arcmonroe.org

www.arcmonroe.org

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In this episode Sarah interviews Katelin Pellett, the Vice President of Programs at Causewave Community Partners.  Katelin leads a team that works with 200+ nonprofit partners on marketing and behavior change efforts in order to make the community a better place. She is also charged with partnership development, campaign and capacity building program development, strategic initiatives and organizational advancement.

For more information, visit:
https://www.causewave.org/#community-change

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In this episode Sarah interviews Dr. Jan Schriefer from the Department of Pediatrics at URMC.  As the Director of Quality Improvement (QI) for the Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Schriefer oversees and facilitates quality initiatives to improve processes of care and outcomes.  She is also the Quality Assurance Liaison (QAL), and as such is integrally involved in quality assurance efforts, helping to facilitate case reviews, serving on Root Cause Analysis teams, managing the daily event reporting system and better connecting QA and QI efforts. 

For more information, please visit:
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/26952048-janice-a-schriefer

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In this episode Sarah interviews Erick Stephens, the Parent Engagement Coordinator for Healthi Kids at Common Ground Health.  In his role, Erick provides technical assistance and support to schools to strengthen and improve parent engagement efforts. He also works directly with parents training them on advocacy and connecting them to opportunities to impact policy, systems, and environmental change in schools. 

For more information please visit:
https://www.commongroundhealth.org/staff-member/294

and

https://www.commongroundhealth.org/initiatives/healthi-kids

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In this episode, Sarah interviews Jackie Dozier from Trillium Health.  

Jackie Dozier has a BS in Healthcare Administration, and currently manages the Women’s Prevention Program, Innovation Institute at Trillium Health.  Jackie has many ties with the African American and Latino communities in Rochester.  Jackie’s purpose is to raise awareness to women and their families on prevention of HIV/AIDS/STIs and High Blood Pressure, along with the other health disparities and social determinants of health in our communities.  Jackie is the former Administrative Assistant to the late County Legislator, Willie Lightfoot, at the South West Community Center (SWAN) and is affiliated with numerous community and faith-based organizations.

To learn more about Trillium Health, go to:
https://www.trilliumhealth.org/en/

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In this episode Megan interviews Jennifer Johnson the Director of Family and Community Outreach at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. Jennifer works within the Children's Hospital to help connect families with needed resources during and after their hospital stays. This episode will shed light on this amazing new role within our local hospital and how this work will help local children and families going forward.

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In this episode Megan interviews Deb Rosen, the Executive Director of Bivona Child Advocacy Center. Bivona Child Advocacy Center delivers excellence in child abuse response, healing and prevention through collaborative service, awareness, education and leadership.

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