April marks National Minority Health Month – an opportunity to highlight the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority communities and reducing health disparities.
As part of the Rochester community, Rochester Regional Health has a variety of programs and resources designed to empower people to create healthier outcomes for themselves and their communities.
These resources offered by our health system and the Rochester community as a whole aim to provide everyone with equitable opportunities to enjoy full and healthy lives.
Resources through Rochester Regional Health
Offering affordable, low-maintenance apartments in five separate communities, Rochester Regional Health helps seniors maintain their independence at reasonable prices.
Senior housing is located in areas allowing easy access to all major expressways and RTS bus routes, which makes it more convenient for activities such as dining and shopping.
Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Center
Think of the Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Center (BHACC) as an urgent care for mental health and substance abuse needs – offering high-quality care in a non-emergency environment.
Walk-in visits are welcome for adults ages 18 and older. Services are offered 7 days a week and clinicians are available to help patients with problem solving, safety planning, and connecting to resources or programs as needed.
Open since 2014, the Center for Refugee Health partners with local resettlement agencies to set up an initial health screening and subsequent entrance into primary care for all newly-arriving refugees.
Thousands of patients from countries around the world receive medical care through services offered here, reducing barriers faced by refugees arriving in Rochester and helping them navigate the healthcare system.
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Providers with Rochester Regional Health offer services at Federal Qualified Health Centers. These locations provide comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services for our community’s most vulnerable patients – regardless of their ability to pay.
At the Wilson Multicultural Medical Campus, a variety of specialized high-quality medical care services are available on one campus. Ranging from family and pediatric medicine to imaging and pharmacy services, people living in traditionally underserved communities can receive the health care they need.
The Healthy Moms program supports women with children under the age of 4 who live in Monroe County with the goal of helping them reach their full potential as a parent and individual.
Opportunities include pregnancy education classes, job training, mental health counseling, and more. On-site childcare is provided; moms living in the City of Rochester can receive free transportation.
Language Assistance & Interpretation Services
To provide the best possible communication between patients and providers, services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist non-English speaking patients, deaf or hard-of-hearing patients, and blind or visually impaired patients.
In-person interpretation is provided at Rochester General Hospital and can be coordinated at any hospital or practice. Video interpreters, video relay services, and recorder devices are available upon request.
LGBTQ-specific Services
All patients are welcome at Rochester Regional Health hospitals and treatment locations. Our chemical dependency program specifically tailored to LGBTQ patients provides person-centered care for each individual with a variety of LGBTQ-specific services to help patients along their road to recovery, including individual recovery sessions, LGBTQ-specific group sessions, family services & counseling (biological or chosen), couples counseling, and peer recovery services.
HIV/PEP/PrEP medication and services are available at several locations, including Batavia, Brockport, Newark, St. Mary’s, and the Unity Professional Office Building (POB).
Our certified nurse midwives provide personal, respectful care for each woman and her family by treating our patients as partners in their healthcare.
Midwives are available for a range of OBGYN services related to pregnancy and birth, as well as standard women’s health care such as annual exams, UTIs, contraception, menstrual and menopausal care, breast exams, and more.
The goal of the Mobile Mammography Center is simple: to bring breast cancer screenings where women live and work.
The Rochester Regional Health Mobile Mammography Center is open and accepting new patients across the greater Rochester region.
Patients, families, and staff involved with Rochester Regional Health consistently engage in efforts to come together with the goal of improving health outcomes for patients and our overall quality of care.
The Rochester General Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council meets regularly to discuss ways to improve and develop the best healthcare experience possible for everyone involved.
Primarily providing comprehensive, quality medical and dental to individuals experiencing homelessness, the Regional Health Reach program partners with other organizations to help those seeking gainful employment, permanent housing, and other resources.
Payment for many services are available on a sliding-fee discount program.
The simplest way to provide medical and mental health care to children and adolescents is to meet them where they are: in school.
Students and parents can meet with providers for services including primary care, immunizations, nutrition education, physical exams, mental health exams and treatment, and case management.
Resources through the Rochester community
Students in grades 9-12 are invited to join Project Ready – a program created to prepare them academically, socially, and culturally for college and careers.
Sponsored by the National Urban League, Project Ready meets every other Saturday for 4-hour sessions. Activities and programming include college tours, field trips, youth mentoring gatherings, community service projects, business tours, and more.
Dozens of state and community-based organizations offer their services to the community through the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center.
Services include assistance with matters related to family care, food, financial & legal needs, housing, home learning, employment, transportation, and others.
As a trained professional who provides physical, emotional, and physical support to pregnant patients, a doula is immensely helpful before, during, and after childbirth.
The Doula Reimbursement program offered through CDPHP allows patients to receive up to $1,500 in reimbursement for the cost of the doula’s services.
Interpreting and translation services in a non-medical setting are a constant need in our community. The purpose of these services is to reduce barriers to effective communication for non-English speaking individuals.
Across rural, suburban, and urban areas of our region, access to nutritious food is a need that thousands of people cannot meet daily.
Foodlink offers Pop-Up Pantries in locations across 10 counties in the greater Rochester area where individuals and families can get the food they need to live healthy lives.
“We are always open to building partnerships and expanding healthcare access for everyone in our community,” said Ebony Caldwell, MA, EdD, Interim Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. “Any group or organization is welcome to reach out to Rochester Regional Health so we can discuss how we can work together in support of a vision that shapes a more equitable health system for all.”
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