Center for Community Health & Prevention

10/20/2026

What a powerful example of community partnership in action!

A cancer diagnosis was like a punch to the gut for Nadjah Shackelford, especially after what she had just gone through.

10/19/2026

Last Thursday, we proudly celebrated Ghinwa Dumyati, MD, infectious disease physician and director of the Rochester Emerging Infections Program, who received the Edward Mott Moore Physician Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Monroe County Medical Society. The award is given in recognition of outstanding and dedicated service to the medical profession.

Dr. Dumyati has practiced medicine in Rochester since 1995 and joined University of Rochester Medicine Strong Memorial Hospital in 2007. Since 2008, she has led infectious disease surveillance for the EIP. Data from this work help shape national public health policy.

Congratulations, Dr. Dumyati, on your well-deserved recognition, and thank you for all you continue to do to improve the health of our communities! 🎉

10/16/2026

Today is National Mammography Day, a reminder of the importance of mammograms and early detection of breast cancer. We wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and everyone impacted by breast cancer.

Mammograms are recommended for women at average-risk of breast cancer starting at age 40. The Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region covers annual clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and pap tests for uninsured women who live in Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Wayne and Seneca Counties.

Don't have health insurance and are due for a mammogram? Call the CSP-FLR team at (585) 224-3070.

10/15/2026

This season’s Respiratory Illness Surveillance Dashboard is now live on RocHealthData, highlighting the work of the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) at the Center for Community Health & Prevention and the team at the Center for Applied Research and Engagement System at MU Extension.

The new dashboard features information on Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 across the region, with an additional element being the comparison to last season’s number of cases, overall and by illness for the seven-county region.

Check it out -- https://rochealthdata.org/influenza-surveillance-dashboard/?l=36055

Don’t have your flu shot yet? There’s still time!

10/15/2026

A very big congratulations to our director Edith M. Williams, PhD, who will be recognized with the Association of Rheumatology Professionals' Distinguished Scholar Award at the American College of Rheumatology Convergence next month!

This well-deserved recognition celebrates her contributions to research and her commitment to improving health for all. We’re proud to celebrate this achievement and the meaningful impact of her work!

Congratulations to Edith Williams, PhD, MS, of University of Rochester Medicine, recipient of the ARP Distinguished Scholar Award.

This award recognizes a member of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals who demonstrates exceptional achievements in scholarly activities. Dr. Williams’ scholarly efforts have been pertinent to arthritis and rheumatic diseases, which has helped advance the field.

10/15/2026

During flu season, fever can be one of several signs of influenza, but it can also occur with COVID-19, other infections, or other conditions.

University of Rochester Medicine Virtual Urgent Care provider Marque-Ann Mattle, PAC, explains what a fever is, why you might have one, and what to do if you have a fever this flu season.

What is a fever, and what could be causing yours? University of Rochester Medicine breaks it down and offers treatment suggestions during a Virtual Urgent Care Visit.

10/13/2026

Last Friday, more than 150 people gathered at the University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences for “Bridging the Gaps: Advancing Health Equity in Western New York.”

The conference, co-hosted by UB and our Center, featured keynote speaker Leonard Egede, MD, MS, FACP, the Charles and Mary Bauer Endowed Chair of Medicine at UB. The event also included a panel of experts, speed networking, and research poster sessions.

Three poster teams received awards of up to $2,000 each to support publication. Categories included Health Equity Impact, Audience Choice, and Excellence in Community Engagement and were voted on by attendees.

Guests were part of a dynamic forum for sharing innovative research, highlighting community-driven initiatives, and fostering cross-sector collaboration aimed at improving health outcomes for underserved populations across the Western New York region.

Thanks to all who attended! 🎉

10/12/2026

Are you working to address the health of Monroe County? The Community Health Improvement Workgroup (CHIW) would like to help!

The deadline for the CHIW 2027 mini-grant proposals is quickly approaching - coming up this Friday, October 16.

The CHIW Mini-Grant process will support one or more small-scale local, city-wide, or county-wide ongoing or new initiatives for a total of $30,000 (anticipated funding of three projects at $10,000).

The CHIW is especially interested in projects that align with the 2025-2027 Monroe County Community Health Improvement Plan, in the following priority areas:

▶ Alleviating the health effects of poverty
▶ Decreasing stress and anxiety
▶ Reducing maternal mortality and eliminating disparities

Apply by Friday > https://redcap.link/CHIW-minigrant2027

10/08/2026

Have you heard of fibermaxxing?

Fibermaxxing refers to meeting or exceeding fiber recommendations. Our own Registered Dietitian Bethany Moran shares benefits of fiber and what to consider with the trend.

While it’s likely that most of us would benefit from more fiber in our eating patterns, trends should always be approached thoughtfully.

University of Rochester Medicine

10/08/2026

Better recognition of nutrition’s role in healthcare leads to better opportunities for patients to receive evidence-based nutrition care. This work helps advance the visibility and impact of RDNs as essential members of the healthcare team.

Learn more about this effort at eatright.org/everytable.

Find our team of Registered Dietitians here > https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/community-health/patient-care