News

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Dr. Francisco Cartujano, Assistant Professor in Public Health Sciences, Featured on WDKX’s Check Your Health Podcast

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Dr. Francisco Cartujano, Assistant Professor in Public Health Sciences, was featured on WDKX’s Check Your Health podcast. He shared invaluable insights into smoking cessation—a key step in reducing lung cancer risk, the second most common cancer in the U.S. Listeners will gain insights into the many benefits of quitting smoking, along with practical strategies, programs, and interventions that can support success. Also discussed is the Wilmot Cancer Institute’s ongoing collaboration with the community to reduce the future burden of cancer.

Listen to the podcast here.

Monroe County Legislature Confirms Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown as Commissioner of Public Health

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

County Executive Adam Bello today announced the confirmation of Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown to a six-year term as Monroe County’s Commissioner of Public Health. Dr. Vélez de Brown joined the department in 2016 as Deputy Commissioner, and has been Acting Commissioner since March 2024.
“Dr. Vélez de Brown has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the health and well-being of our community,” said County Executive Bello. “Her expertise and commitment to health equity make her the ideal leader for Monroe County’s Department of Public Health. I thank the legislature for their support in confirming Dr. Vélez de Brown, and I’m confident she will continue driving meaningful improvements for residents throughout the county.”
The Monroe County Department of Public Health promotes and protects residents’ health through comprehensive services. These include infectious disease control, vaccinations, maternal and child health programs, environmental health and specialized clinics for tuberculosis and sexual health. The department also supports early childhood health and education, helping families access vital resources for child development. Through public education on issues like substance use prevention, chronic disease management and emergency preparedness—and in collaboration with community partners—the department ensures that essential health resources and preventive services reach all Monroe County residents.
Originally from Philadelphia, Dr. Vélez de Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Swarthmore College and a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. After completing 3 years of Family Medicine training in Wilmington, Delaware, she completed a fellowship and earned a Master’s of Public Health from the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Rochester. Since joining the Monroe County Department of Public Health, she has prioritized health access for underserved populations, especially for residents with limited English proficiency. As Medical Director of Monroe County’s Starlight Pediatrics, Dr. Vélez de Brown has strengthened health care and mental health services for children in foster care. Her leadership in this role and across the Department of Public Health has expanded preventive care and resources for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
She has also been instrumental in Monroe County’s response to the opioid crisis, leading initiatives to distribute naloxone, reduce stigma and educate the public on substance use disorders. Her work continues to bolster county-wide efforts to save lives and provide recovery resources.
“I’m honored to serve Monroe County in this role,” said Commissioner Dr. Vélez de Brown. “I want to thank County Executive Bello and the legislature for their trust and support. Our county faces important public health challenges, from tackling the opioid crisis to addressing the social circumstances that influence health, such as poverty, safe housing, educational disparities, racism and violence. I am committed to advancing initiatives that address these needs head-on and promote equity across our community. Working together with our dedicated public health team and community partners, I look forward to building a healthier, more resilient Monroe County where all residents have the opportunity to thrive.”

Congratulations to Dr. Elaine L. Hill on Receiving the Prestigious Raymond Vernon Memorial Award!

Thursday, October 17, 2024

We are proud to celebrate Dr. Elaine L. Hill, Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences (SMD), for receiving the Raymond Vernon Memorial Award from the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM).

Dr. Hill, alongside her co-author, was honored for their impactful paper, "Drinking Water Contaminant Concentrations and Birth Outcomes," published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (Vol. 43, No. 3, 2024). This research sheds new light on the effects of water quality on maternal and child health, contributing to public health policy and environmental research. Since 1985, the Raymond Vernon Memorial Award has recognized scholarly excellence, commemorating the influential career of Raymond Vernon, who shaped global economic recovery, pioneered quantitative market analysis, and founded JPAM.

Dr. Jose Perez Ramos Co-Authors AJPH Supplement on Latino Health Inequities

Thursday, August 8, 2024

The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) has released a new supplement, “Advancing Hispanic/Latino Health Research Pa’Lante,” addressing the underrepresentation of Latinos in public health research. Co-authored by Dr. Jose Perez Ramos, the publication explores the complex factors influencing Latino health, from systemic inequities to cultural practices.

Read the full article here.

Misti Ellinger and Rochester Coalition Highlight Breastfeeding’s Public Health Impact

Thursday, August 8, 2024

In observance of World Breastfeeding Week, the Rochester Regional Breastfeeding Coalition is emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding as a public health priority. The nonprofit, which promotes breastfeeding and lactation support for local mothers, is working to increase awareness through special initiatives.

Misti Ellinger, a lactation counselor and coalition member, highlighted the organization’s commitment to educating healthcare professionals and creating community spaces that support breastfeeding. With funding from the New York State Department of Health where Dr. Dozier is the PI, the coalition is focusing its outreach on underserved communities like Rochester and Gates, aiming to improve breastfeeding rates and health outcomes.

“Healthier babies lead to healthier communities,” Ellinger said, reinforcing the coalition’s mission to enhance breastfeeding support in the region.

Dr. Scott McIntosh was interviewed for recent news article

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Dr. Scott McIntosh was interviewed for an article called "Beyond Lung Cancer: Why You Shouldn't Smoke". This article is in the August edition of "In Good Health". Congratulations!

PhD Students are co-authors in a recent publication

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Dr. Jose Perez Ramos worked along side PhD students, Alexander Torbuck and Deniz Naghibi in a paper that was recently published titled "Barriers and facilitators to implementing telemental health solutions for rural, remote and underserved populations in low- and middle-income countries- a scoping review protocol" Congratulations!

You can read the full paper here. 

Dr. Wyatte Hall's publication in The Lancet

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Dr. Wyatte Hall's recent publication called "Primary health-care practices for deaf children should include early incorporation of a signed language" has been published in The Lancet. Congratulations!

Read the full paper here.

New Study Links Severity of Initial COVID-19 Infection to Increased Risk of Severe Reinfections and Long COVID

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

A recent study, co-authored by University of Rochester Research Professor Elaine Hill, highlights critical findings regarding COVID-19 reinfections. The research, published in Communications Medicine and involving 3 million patients, establishes a significant link between the severity of a first COVID-19 infection and the severity of subsequent reinfections. Additionally, the study indicates that the likelihood of developing Long COVID increases after the first infection.

Preventive Medicine Resident's Advocacy Sparks Positive Outcome in Patient Care

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Preventive Medicine resident Abbas Smiley writes about advocacy initiated by a patient’s family member and how it impacted the outcome. In our “Good Catch of the Week,” read about a pharmacist who recognized the duration of a prescription to treat a patient’s UTI needed to be extended. Questions? Contact Robert Panzer, professor of Medicine and chief quality officer, or Michael Leonard, professor of Pediatrics and chief safety officer, with questions.

Can Diet Help with Advanced Breast Cancer? All Indications Are Positive, Researchers Say

Friday, May 31, 2024

Erin Campbell, MD, is a co-author on the article 'Can Diet Help with Advanced Breast Cancer?' The article mentions that, "Women with breast cancer who exclusively ate a whole-foods, plant-based diet lost weight, improved cholesterol levels and other key metabolic factors, had less fatigue, and perceived that they felt sharper mentally and generally more well." Read the full story here

Flags will be lowered for Michael Jacob Adams

Thursday, May 30, 2024

University flags on the Eastman Quadrangle and near the entrance of Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department will be lowered on Thursday, June 6, for Michael Jacob Adams, an associate professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, who died on April 27.

Mark Okwir's Meningitis Outcome paper was published in PLOS ONE

Thursday, May 30, 2024

"Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains a major cause of death among people living with HIV in rural sub-Saharan Africa. We previously reported that a CM diagnosis and treatment program (CM-DTP) improved hospital survival for CM patients in rural, northern Uganda. This study aimed to evaluate the impact on long-term survival"

Mark Okwir's article titled "Poor Long-Term Outcomes Despite Improved Hospital Survival for Patients with Cryptococcal Meningitis in Rural, Northern Uganda" was published in PLOS ONE. Read the full article here.

Dr. Melissa Kah Poh Loh has been recognized as a recipient of the 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award

Friday, May 10, 2024

This prestigious honor celebrates Dr. Kah Poh Loh's dedication to improving the lives of those affected by cancer and highlights her outstanding contributions to the field. 

This award is hosted by The Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC), The National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA), Swim Across America, Amplity Health, Takeda, BeiGene, ONCare Alliance, Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), and Canopy. 40 Under 40 in Cancer is an awards initiative to identify and recognize the contributions being made across the field of cancer by rising stars and emerging leaders under the age of 40. The award recognizes you as one of the nation’s most promising young oncology professionals and celebrates your contributions to improve the lives of those affected by cancer.

African Scientists Lead the Charge Against Leprosy: Featuring Dr. Alio

Friday, April 26, 2024

Dr. Alio and a group of African researchers are leading groundbreaking efforts to tackle leprosy, a disease often forgotten but still affecting many. Highlighted in a recent article by El País, these scientists are making strides in research, awareness, and treatment for this neglected disease. Their work underscores the importance of global health research and collaborative efforts to combat overlooked health issues. Let's celebrate these incredible scientists and their mission to make a difference! Read more on El País.

March Health Equity Update

Thursday, April 4, 2024

The March Health Equity Update highlights the work that Theresa Green, PhD, MBA, does with resident education and health equity. 

Read the full article here: Health Equity Update

Air Quality in Schools: Shielding Kids with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities from COVID

Thursday, March 28, 2024

The COVID pandemic was a tough balancing act for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), many of whom struggle with masking and distancing. URMC researchers, including those from the UR CTSI, teamed up with the Mary Cariola Center to study ways to prevent COVID infections in the IDD community. Dr. Ann M. Dozier and Dr. Christopher Seplaki from Public Health Sciences collaborated on this project. This study, published in PLOS ONE, points to ventilation and air filtration as important tools to prevent COVID infections among children with IDD.

Dr. Veazie publishes on how to determine dependence across observations.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

It is common in applied research to analyze data from data generating processes with dependencies among random variables across observations. Such dependencies impact power calculations and standard errors. However, it is also common to mistake the structure of data for the structure of the data generating process and thereby to use inappropriate standard error estimators. The challenge is not merely to distinguish data from data generating processes but also to determine dependence. Dr. Veazie has published a paper in Ration Mathematica discussing the problem and providing a four-step guide, with examples, for determining dependence of random variables across observations.  Access paper through this link: Determining dependence among random variables across observations | Veazie | Ratio Mathematica (eiris.it)

Dr. Edith Williams is Director of Center for Community Health and Prevention

Monday, January 22, 2024

Dr. Edith Williams has been appointed as Director of Center for Community Health and Prevention. 

Read the full story here.

Drs. Veazie and Intrator present an alternative gamma distribution specification for modeling right-skewed variables

Friday, January 19, 2024

The Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) for parameters of the gamma distribution is commonly used to estimate models of right-skewed variables such as costs, hospital length of stay, and appointment wait times in Economics and Healthcare research.  The common specification for this estimator assumes the variance is proportional to the square of the mean, which underlies estimation and specification tests.  Drs. Veazie and Intrator present a specification in which the variance is directly proportional to the mean in their recent paper “Better performance for right-skewed data using an alternative gamma model” published in BMC Medical Research Methodology (2023) 23:298.  Link: Better performance for right-skewed data using an alternative gamma model | BMC Medical Research Methodology | Full Text (biomedcentral.com).

Dr. Francisco Cartujano's Interview with Channel 10 News

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Dr. Francisco Cartujano did an interview with Channel 10 News about how people can keep their 2024 resolution to stop smoking or vaping by joining The Wilmot Cancer Institute's programs. 

Read the full article here.