National head of diversity, equity and inclusion at Alzheimer’s Association will be keynote speaker to be held April 18

Carl Hill, PhD, MPH, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the national Alzheimer’s Association organization, will visit Rochester and serve as keynote speaker for the 13th Annual Dr. Lemuel & Gloria Rogers African American Health Symposium on April 18.

The Dr. Lemuel & Gloria Rogers African American Health Symposium seeks to raise concern and awareness about dementia among African Americans and educate participants about the resources available in the Rochester community. This year’s symposium will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC), 161 Chestnut St., Rochester.

The theme of this year’s symposium is "Healthy Life, Healthy Mind." In addition to Hill, other features of the symposium will include remarks by Michael Mendoza, MD, medical director of Highland Family Medicine, and panel discussions featuring local healthcare and senior care leaders.

Dr. Carl Hill

“We are committed to continuing the legacy of Dr. Lemuel and Gloria Rogers by providing community education and are thrilled to welcome Dr. Carl Hill to this year’s Symposium,” says Arlene Wilson, senior director of programs for the Rochester & Finger Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are twice as prevalent in the African American community. It is vital that we have events like this to reach out to the community and provide support and resources.”

The symposium is named in honor of Dr. Lemuel and Gloria Rogers. In 1968, Dr. Rogers became one of the first African American doctors to build and own a medical building in Rochester. Over the course of his 30 years of practice as an obstetrician-gynecologist, he delivered more than 5,000 babies at Rochester’s Highland and Saint Mary’s hospitals. Gloria Rogers worked as a teacher and counselor for the Rochester City School District for 30 years and was a member of the Delta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Both Lemuel and Gloria Rogers passed away due to dementia.

Nearly 7 million people age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in the U.S., with more than 426,000 of those in New York State. Monroe County is tied for the eighth-highest rate of Alzheimer’s for residents aged 65 or older among New York State counties, at 11.7%. While older Black Americans are two times more likely than older whites to have Alzheimer’s, they are less likely than whites to receive a diagnosis of the condition.

The symposium is supported, in part, by grants from the New York State Department of Health, New York State Office for the Aging, Monroe County Office for the Aging, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the University of Rochester. Sponsors include Lifespan, The Rochester Twenty Pearls Foundation, the Beta Chi Chi, Inc. chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., and Monroe County.

The symposium is free and will include breakfast and lunch for participants. To register, visit bit.ly/healthylifehealthymind or call 800.272.3900.