March 2021 Common Ground Newsletter

March 2021

Dr. Linda Clark answers questions about COVID-19 vaccines during an online talk March 19.

Common Ground Health launches COVID-19 speakers bureau

A new COVID-19 Vaccine Speakers Bureau provides up-to-the-minute, vetted facts for groups and organizations throughout the Finger Lakes region—at no charge. The bureau offers a diverse selection of trusted experts: physicians, pharmacists, community health workers, researchers, and other professionals who can tailor a formal presentation or informal chats to a wide variety of audiences.

“There's a tremendous amount of misinformation and myths being spread about both COVID-19 and the vaccine,” says Dr. Linda Clark, senior health advisor at Common Ground Health. “We want to share accurate information instead so people can make intelligent decisions.”

Read more.

Report: Local safety measures kept schools open and safe during COVID crisis

Community health workers go door to door in Rochester to spread word about COVID vaccine opportunities.

All hands on deck effort drives COVID-19 vaccine signups for Black and Latino residents

A multi-faceted campaign of community members, non profits and local, state and federal government leaders mobilized this March to get as many Black and Latino residents as possible vaccinated at Rochester’s Kodak Hawkeye vaccine site on St. Paul St. The FEMA and state-run facility was on track to deliver more than 20,000 vaccine doses during March.

“Black and Latino Rochesterians and residents from disadvantaged neighborhoods do not have the tools, time and transportation needed to navigate the vaccine systems that have been created,” said Wade S. Norwood, co-chair of the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force and CEO of Common Ground Health.

Read more.

Partner spotlight:
Rochester Regional Health

Kudos to Rochester Regional Health for opening the Rochester General College of Health Careers in the former Macy's at Irondequoit Mall. The college is the home of Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing, offering a certificate and an LPN to RN, Nursing, Associates in Applied Science degree.

“This new location is a state-of-the-art space that will help our region meet the need for a highly-trained and qualified health care workforce,” said Melissa Wendland, director of strategic initiatives for Common Ground Health.

Learn more.

Join us in April for Cooking Up Change

Speak Life! Health Equity Conference planned 

Join us online for a thought-provoking action-oriented discussion around healing from the trauma of racism and discrimination, including the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, at the 2nd Speak Life! Health Equity Conference. Hear from keynote speaker Dr. Kenyani Davis, and also Earl Greene, Julio Jordan, and Wade Norwood on health inequities. Participants will work together to create plans of action to promote coping, self-care and healing in the community. The free event will be offered simultaneously in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Sign up for the virtual event here.

In the headlines

Healthiest Cities & Counties Resident leaders are blooming in the “Flower City”

Democrat & Chronicle How much distancing? Schools prepare for full in-person learning, but need state go-ahead

City News Social inequities exacerbate COVID-19 pandemic's racial gaps

WHEC-TV Seneca Towers seniors get vaccine in pop-up clinic

WXXI News Connections: Discussing the state of vaccine distribution in Monroe County

Minority Reporter Wade Norwood on the COVID-19 vaccine: My journey has moved me to say yes

In Good Health Group wants more walkable neighborhoods in Rochester