Thriving Forward

Dr. Stephen Cook is a physician trained in Adult Medicine and Pediatrics. His research focuses on how best to help children and families struggling with obesity. In addition to caring for children in the clinic at Strong Hospital, he also works for the NYS DOH Office of Medicaid, which has moved him into many different roles during the pandemic. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Dr. Cook...

In this episode Sarah talks with Cara Rager, the Manager of Educational Training and Family Engagement at WXXI Public Broadcasting.  They discuss how WXXI partners with parents and the community to help kids learn in so many more ways than just providing high quality children's television programming.  To learn more, visit the WXXI website Or head to Facebook or Instagram: @WXXIKids and @WXXI...

Quajay Donnell is a Rochester, NY based photographer and writer with a passion for public art and capturing his community. His work has been published in Departures Magazine, The Washington Post, CITY (Rochester, NY), The Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY), 585 Magazine (Rochester, NY), The Waterbury Observer (Waterbury, CT) and seen on WXXI (Rochester, NY). Quajay is a WALL\THERAPY crew photo...

The Coffee Connection empowers women on their journey to sustainable recovery from addiction by providing training, jobs, and support, all while being one of Rochester's premiere coffee roasters.  In this episode Sarah talks with Joy Bergfalk, the Executive Director of The Coffee Connection and Project Empower. To learn more, visit: www.ourcoffeeconnection.org To contact Joy or The Coffee Con...

In this special episode, it’s all about the kids!  The Pfizer COVID vaccine just got approved for kids 5 and older and doctors and kids right here in Rochester helped make that happen.  Special guest host 10-year-old Lily interviews Dr. Jennifer Nayak, a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center, about running this study site and how the vaccine works. ...

The only program of its kind in New York State, the Crisis Nursery , a program of The Center For Youth, delivers no-cost, emergency childcare to families during crises.  In this episode Sarah interviews Monica Thomas, the Program Manager for Crisis Nursery, and Joanne Lathan, the Assistant Manager. The Crisis Nursery includes two facilities; one on the west side of the city of Rochester on Genesee...

Christine Callanan is a Rochester native and a career civil servant in the District Attorney's offices in both Monroe and Wayne Counties. In this podcast episode she speaks to the role of the District Attorney's office for victims of crimes, their families, the perpetrators of those crimes and the greater community. Wayne County DA Office website : https://web.co.wayne.ny.us/Directory.as...

We welcomed GiGi's Playhouse Board Members Carrie and Katie this week. Carrie has Trisomy 21 and has benefited greatly from the support of her family and GiGi's playhouse both in Rochester and Syracuse.  Carrie has written two children's books about her experiences. GiGi's Playhouse:  https://gigisplayhouse.org/rochester/ Special Tomato: https://www.specialtomato.com/about.html...

SPCC has a long history of championing children's rights, from the time it was founded in the late 19th century, to its expansive programs and advocacy work today.  In this episode Sarah talks with Sarah Fitzgibbons, the Vice President of Programs & Practices at SPCC, as well as an Infant Health Mentor.  They discuss how SPCC works to support some of the most vulnerable children and famil...

When Rochester began talking about filling in the Inner Loop North, artist Shawn Dunwoody and activist Suzanne Mayer teamed up from the two neighborhoods opposite that part of the highway to form Hinge Neighbors.  Together they are working to involve, empower, and lift up the voices of the residents to create a cohesive neighborhood as plans to fill in the Inner Loop move forward. Listen in as Sar...

The Rochester area is full of beautiful outdoor spaces, but the reality is those spaces are not available to everyone.  In this episode Sarah talks with Lucienne Nicholson, the founder of Inclusive Woods & Us, a non-profit dedicated to making nature accessible to ALL people, especially traditionally marginalized communities.   To learn more about Inclusive Woods & Us, visit: https://inclus...

In this episode we meet Leah Hill, the Clinical Engagement Specialist for the Adolescent and Young Adult Program at Strong Recovery. She shares her passion for advocacy in the substance abuse recovery community locally. She also speaks to the array of services now available at Strong Recovery AYA. If you or someone you know is dealing with substance abuse and you are looking for support listen to...

In this episode we discuss the many hats that Dr. Murray wears in our community, the COVID delta variant, provider advocacy and so much more! Bivona Child Advocacy Center REACH is a Referral and Evaluation service for Abused Children American Academy of Pediatrics & Healthychildren.org Support the show

This week on the podcast we are excited to welcome Ed Popil, the entertainer behind local drag superstar, Mrs Kasha Davis. During this episode we discuss the inspiration behind Mrs Kasha Davis, her upcoming project with Blackfriars Theatre, and the things that keep her grounded.  This interview focuses on the man behind the woman and we hope you enjoy hearing it as much as we enjoyed recording it!...

Joseph Morelle, Jr. is a life-long resident of the Town of Irondequoit. He represents the Monroe County Legislature's 17th Legislative District, which comprises the southern half of Irondequoit. He serves on the Legislature's Ways & Means and Transportation Committees.  Joseph is the VP of Student Housing Development for Wilmorite Management Group, LLC in Henrietta. A graduate of Eas...

Meet Kilolo Moyo-White, passionate advocate for parents, antiracist educator, and champion for Rochester's youth.  Sarah sits down with her in this interview to discuss her work with ROC the Future, The Antiracism Academy, and why it's so important to empower parent and youth voice. To learn more about ROC the Future, go to:  https://rocthefuture.org Find ROC the Future and PECAN on Face...

Have you ever thought about how violence is steeped into so many aspects of our culture?  It appears in the expressions we use, the movies we watch, the news stories we read, and the video games we play.  In this episode Sarah interviews Kit Miller, the Director of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence.  At the Gandhi Institute their mission is to help individuals and communities develop the...

Amy Albanese is the Community Relations Manager for Person Centered Services. Amy has a Bachelor's Degree from Notre Dame College in Arts and Education with a concentration in mild to moderate intervention specialization for K-12 students. Before taking her current job, Amy spent three years as a teacher for children with autism in Ohio. She was the Director of Community Connections for Adapt...

This episode is a special broadcast of the Anne E. Dyson Memorial Grand Rounds & Community Advocacy Forum, in which Megan and Sarah co-hosted discussions with two different groups of medical-community partners. The Hoekelman Center's 21st Anne E. Dyson Memorial Grand Rounds & Community Advocacy Forum Topics Discussed:  Puberty Education: Dr. Karina Vattana partnered with Atashia Walke...

On this episode of the podcast Megan interviews Dr. Elizabeth "Lissa" McAnarney.  Dr. McAnarney is a Distinguished University Professor and Chair Emerita of the Department of Pediatrics. She received the M.D. Degree and holds two honorary doctoral degrees. She completed her pediatric residency at the State University of New York (Syracuse) followed by a two-year fellowship at the Univers...

In this episode Sarah interviews Karen Zandi, President and CEO of Mary Cariola Center.  Mary Cariola Center provides services and support to individuals with disabilities and their families.  To learn more about Mary Cariola Center, visit: www.marycariola.org Facebook:  Mary Cariola Center Facebook:  Mary Cariola Center “Proud Parents” group Video about Mary Cariola:  https://vimeo.com/486995198...

In this episode Sarah interviews Tonia Burton, Children’s Services Consultant for Monroe County Library System.  They talk about the many programs the library system offers and the ways in which the library system has stepped up to meet community need during the COVID pandemic. To learn more, visit: www.roccitylibrary.org www.libraryweb.org Or look on Facebook for: Central Library of Rochester &am...

In this episode Sarah talks with Dr. Steven Schulz, the pediatric medical director for Rochester Regional Health’s Monroe County region and a pediatrician at Finger Lakes Medical Associates in Geneva.  Dr. Schulz talks about his efforts in helping to coordinate the pediatric community's response to COVID including his work on the Finger Lakes Reopening Schools Safely Task Force. Links from Dr...

Dr. Brenda Tesini is an Associate Hospital Epidemiologist as well as an Adult and pediatric general infectious diseases doctor at URMC. She and Megan discuss the changes and challenges to her job since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Website: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/medicine/infectious-disease.aspx Support the show

In this episode Megan interviews her co-host, Sarah, about being a pediatrician during COVID, her work as Assistant Director for Pediatric Links with the Community, and her community work with Get Ready to GROW Rochester.   To learn more about Pediatric Links with the Community, visit: www.hoekelmancenter.org To learn more about Get Ready to GROW Rochester, visit: https://www.childrensinstitute.ne...