Rev. Dr. Weldon Thomas Faith and Medicine Award
Description: This award honors Rev. Dr. Weldon G. Thomas, who was pastor of New Bethel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Rochester from 2005 to 2019. Rev. Thomas was a convener of the Rochester Faith Collaborative, a faith-based HIV/AIDS prevention health initiative, and a member of the Ecumenical Committee of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS in Rochester. He helped plan and facilitate many health conferences, including the Faith and Medicine Conference, which became the Speak Life! Health Equity Conference. He helped found the Interdenominational Health Ministry Coalition and championed his church’s health ministry.
Eligibility: This award is given to a credentialed health professional (e.g. MD, RN, CNA, CHW, or other) who has improved the health of marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the 9-county Finger Lakes region served. The recipient believes that health is impacted by spirituality and faith, and vice versa, and actively works in our community to impact both.
Dr. Constantino Fernandez Community Leadership and Advocacy Award
Description: Dr. Constantino "Tino" Fernandez was a Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Fernandez practiced primary OB/GYN care with a special emphasis and interest in Latina women's health. He was born in Nicaragua and was selected by the Nicaraguan government to participate in a John Hopkins Scholar Program for International Education and Training in Reproductive Health. Dr. Fernandez was very involved in advocacy and leadership to address health disparities among Latinos in the Rochester area, participating in organizations locally, nationally, and in his native Nicaragua to help achieve equality in health services and outcomes for Latinos.
Eligibility: This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated an exemplary level of leadership, advocacy, and community engagement to positively impact the health of marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the 9-county Finger Lakes region served by the Latino and African American Health Coalitions.
Edgar Santa Cruz Outstanding Coalition Member Award
Description: Edgar Santa Cruz served Rochester and the Finger Lakes region as a hands-on social worker, dedicated project manager, and compassionate neighbor. He was an active leader on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County Board of Directors and brought thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and a high level of engagement to each venture he joined. Edgar was a key presence at Cameron Community Ministries in the Lyell-Otis neighborhood, where he served as a social worker for five years. At the time of his unexpected passing in 2022, he was working for Foodlink, forming a strategy to expand the impact of the Lexington Garden Urban Farm, which feeds residents of Rochester’s Northwest neighborhood. His warmth and friendly nature, constant awareness of potential collaborations, and steadfast commitment to ensuring basic services such as food, clothing, and medical care, made Edgar an exceptional coalition member and advocate for health equity.
Eligibility: This award is given to a health coalition member who has demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of their coalition as detailed in the coalition charters. This person uplifts the work of the coalition by leveraging their networks and connections to integrate the coalitions’ mission into the work they do and throughout the community. This award cannot be given to a coalition chair.