The Alzheimer’s Association Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter announces the return of the Dr. Lemuel and Gloria Rogers African American Health Symposium. This year’s theme is “Caring for Our Community: Dementia’s Impact and Hope for the Future.”
Now in its 12th year, the symposium is geared toward creating connections, partnerships and hope. The event is named for Lemuel Rogers Jr. M.D. and his wife, Gloria Rogers. In 1968, Dr. Rogers became one of the first African American doctors to build and own a medical building in Rochester. The couple was deeply involved in health education in the local Black community.
“With the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent Facts and Figures report showing that older Black Americans are twice as likely to be impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias compared with older White Americans, this annual symposium is more crucial now than ever,” said Lois Williams-Norman, Board Member and Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee of the Rochester Finger Lakes Region Alzheimer’s Association. “We are hyper-aware of the disparities in our nation’s health systems, and we are working tirelessly to not only eliminate them but to eliminate the barriers that exist when it comes to positive health outcomes for those living with Alzheimer’s.”
The event will feature a keynote address by Jackie Dozier, a lifelong community advocate who serves as Director, Community Health and Well-being at Common Ground Health. In particular, Dozier has led community efforts focusing on health disparities impacting communities of color.
The symposium will feature a panel comprising Dozier, Rev. Ruben Lowry Sr.; Nate Brown Jr., dementia caregiver; Katy Allen from Lifespan; and Susan Salem-Spencer, AD-CARE program’s clinical operations manager and lead study nurse coordinator. Words of encouragement and hope will be offered by the family of Lemuel and Gloria Rogers, who were impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The 2023 event is free to the community and will take place in person on Saturday, May 6, at Rochester Educational Opportunity Center, 161 Chestnut Street, Rochester. This free in-person event includes a hot lunch catered by Northern Nola. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3GT5NCU or call 800-272-3900.
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