April/May 2024 Newsletter

Award winners have dedicated decades to promoting health equity

Three long-time community activists were honored for their work at the 11^th Speak Life! Health Equity Conference.

Dr. Linda Clark, CEO and president of Jordan Health; Marlene Cortés, Empire Justice’s senior manager of the Language Justice program, and Jackie Dozier, Common Ground Health’s director of Community Health and Wellbeing, were honored as community health equity champions. The awards presentation took place at the 2024 Speak Life! Health Equity Conference Thursday, April 25, at Asbury First United Methodist Church and online.

Learn more.

Photo of a Black woman with a leopard spotted head wrap taking the blood pressure of another Black woman in a chevron top.

What we are watching: Get It Done initiative

Thank you to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for highlighting Common Ground's prevention education through its Get It Done initiative. Common Ground received a Health Equity Innovation Award and is using these funds for Get It Done events to support African American and Latino barbers and beauticians who serve as community health educators to provide health care workshops, outreach, and education to their clients.

Learn more in this new article and video: https://bit.ly/3xUuNb9

We are hiring for a Whole Child Health Advocacy Director

Common Ground Health is hiring for a Whole Child Health Advocacy Director. The Director of Whole Child Health Advocacy co-leads the Healthi Kids Initiative alongside the Director of Early Childhood Policy. Together, they oversee implementation of the Healthi Kids Change Agenda and the management of the Healthi Kids Coalition.

The director is responsible for developing advocacy strategies and campaigns to achieve policy, systems and environmental change in three key areas: healthy learning environments, play in schools and neighborhoods, and equitable communities.

Learn more.

Registration now open: Speak Life! 2024 Health Equity Conference. Environmental Impact on Health

Phyllis Jackson honored

Community Wellness Project Manager Phyllis Jackson, RN, was honored for her service to the community by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority April 27 at their annual Finer ThingZ Scholarship Brunch in Rochester. Zeta Phi Beta is a community-conscious, action-oriented organization dedicated to transforming the lives of others.

In the headlines

Democrat & Chronicle Life expectancy has fallen steeply for people in the Finger Lakes region: Here's why Related: WXXI News

Finger Lakes 1 Steep cost of poverty in the Finger Lakes: A decline of health and life expectancy

WXXI News Life expectancy has declined over the past decade, according to new report

Rochester Business Journal A new approach to women’s health and wellness

WROC-TV 2nd Annual Day of Service in honor of Edgar Santa Cruz

May 2024 Common Ground Newsletter