March 2018

Video: Help the state set prevention priorities

New York is updating its Prevention Agenda, a blueprint for state and regional efforts to improve health for all residents and to reduce health disparities by focusing on prevention. The state needs your help setting priorities for its next six-year plan. Learn more in this video and then take the state's survey to share your thoughts.

Wash, rinse, cut ... and blood pressure check

Salon owner Debbie Wise recalled the day in 2016 when one of her customers was feeling lightheaded. It turns out the client was having a stroke, and she had another hours later that left her unable to talk.

The experience motivated Wise to learn how to monitor blood pressure, becoming one of nine salon and barber shop owners who are community health educators for Rochester's High Blood Pressure Collaborative.

“Had I taken her blood pressure, I would’ve called the ambulance,” Wise says.
Learn more.

Partner Spotlight

St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center

Although uninsured rates have fallen, people struggling to afford health care still flock to Rochester's St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center.

We are glad Candice Lucas, formerly of the Center for Community Health and Prevention, will be the neighborhood center’s new executive director as Sister Christine Wagner assumes a new strategic leadership role at the center. Lucas chairs the African American Health Coalition and Wagner co-chairs the Partnership for Access to Healthcare, both convened by Common Ground Health.

“Candice and Sister Chris are a dynamic duo who will work tirelessly to ensure care access,” said Wade Norwood, Common Ground’s chief strategy officer. Learn more.

Leading with conscience for four decades

“Lynn Varricchio is the conscience of the agency.”

That’s how multiple former and current colleagues describe Varricchio’s work with Common Ground Health. The nonprofit’s longest-serving employee, Varricchio retires at the end of March, having served as an invaluable team member since 1979. Read on.

Upcoming events

Join us April 11 at Barriers to Breakthrough, a summit for human service agencies in the Finger Lakes region focused on creating equity and potential for residents. The event is sponsored by our Partnership for Access to Healthcare. Learn more and register here.

The sixth annual Faith and Medicine Conference will bring clinicians, faith leaders and community members together April 14 to talk about substance use disorders in African Americans. Learn more.

Common Ground welcomes board members

Common Ground Health welcomes Jerome Underwood of Action for a Better Community, Mark Cronin of Accountable Health Partners, Hilda Rosario Escher of Ibero American Action League and Mike McCrae of St. Ann’s Community to its board of directors, and thanks Margaret Sanchez and James Norman for their service to the board.

In the headlines

Rochester Business Journal Jocelyn Goldberg-Schaible brings insight to research group

March 2018 Common Ground Newsletter