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Connections

Former public health director helps launch new healthcare model in Rochester

Dr. Michael Mendoza
Provided photo
Dr. Michael Mendoza

12:00: Former public health director helps launch new healthcare model in Rochester

1:00: 'Connections Summer Sessions:' Teens hope new center will curb gun violence and promote peace

Dr. Michael Mendoza is the senior medical director for the new Town Square Health Rochester office. The practice caters to seniors and recently began accepting patients. As reported by WXXI's Brian Sharp, the goal is to bring a new model for healthcare to the region, focused on prevention and lower costs. Dr. Mendoza discusses how it works and whether it can be a solution for the ongoing problems in the American healthcare system. In studio:

  • Michael Mendoza, M.D., MPH, senior medical director for Town Square Health
  • Brian Sharp, investigations and enterprise editor for WXXI News

Then in our second hour, "Connections Summer Sessions" continues with conversations about how kids see a changing world. In this special rebroadcast, we talk to young people about connection. "We want the ones who's stealing the cars. We want the ones who's robbing. We want the ones who's failing with their schoolwork." That's what staff members at Teen Empowerment (TE) say about reaching local youth. The nonprofit works alongside teens to foster peace, equity, and justice in the community. As reported by WXXI's Noelle Evans and Max Schulte, the center opened a new location at the corner of Magee and Dewey avenues — an area on Rochester's north side that has been the site of numerous deaths by gun violence in recent years. TE leaders say it is an opportunity to offer young people a different pathway forward. This hour, we sit down with some of the teens and a Teen Empowerment leader to discuss their work, their goals, and what the new hub means for their mission. Our guests:

  • Shanterra Mitchum, program director at Teen Empowerment
  • Sahiyra Dillard, program coordinator at Teen Empowerment
  • Emerra Moore, youth organizer with Teen Empowerment
  • Paul Ross Jr., youth organizer with Teen Empowerment

"Connections" is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.

Connections
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.
Megan Mack is the executive producer of "Connections with Evan Dawson" and live/televised engagement programming.
Julie Williams is an associate producer for "Connections with Evan Dawson." She started at WXXI in 2019 and has been working on Connections since 2022.

Connections with Evan Dawson

Connections is our daily, live talk show. It airs live weekdays, noon-2 p.m., and re-airs at 9 and 10 p.m. You can also find us wherever you find your podcasts.

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