Brett Dahlberg

Health reporter and producer

Brett is the health reporter and a producer at WXXI News. He has a master’s degree from the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism, and before landing at WXXI, he was an intern at WNYC and with Ian Urbina of the New York Times. He also produced freelance reporting work focused on health and science in New York City.

Brett grew up in Bremerton, Washington, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.

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Rochester health care leader named to state hepatitis C task force

By Brett Dahlberg • Oct 11, 2018

Rochester has a representative on a task force working on what Gov. Andrew Cuomo says is the state’s first strategy to eliminate hepatitis C.

Cuomo named Trillium Health innovation director Ashley Zuppelli to the group Thursday. Zuppelli said the task force’s work is important.

Blue-green algae brings recommendation to not drink water supplied by the Village of Rushville

By Randy Gorbman & Brett Dahlberg • Oct 11, 2018

The New York state health department is recommending that people who are served by the Village of Rushville’s Public Water Supply, including customers in the Middlesex Water District, use an alternate source of water for drinking, cooking, making infant formula, making ice, and preparing food and beverages until further notice.

Suspect in shootings dead after police chase, exchange of gunfire

By Randy Gorbman & Brett Dahlberg • Oct 10, 2018

The suspect in multiple shootings is dead after leading police on a cross-town chase Wednesday. Police say he was "on a mission" to "kill his entire family."

Police pursued 39-year-old Terrell Blake after spotting him erratically driving a U-Haul van. He was shot and killed in the area of Frances and Forrester streets after he shot at officers, Deputy Chief LaRon Singletary said. Residents described a rapid succession of gunshots.

Seneca Park Zoo honored again by national group

By Brett Dahlberg • Oct 5, 2018

The Seneca Park Zoo has again earned what Monroe County officials called a “prestigious” honor from a national group.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognized the zoo as a “world-class” institution with “the highest-quality animal care.”

Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said the process for gaining accreditation is rigorous. It involves a 31-page questionnaire, an inspection by zoo association officials and an interview with the association’s experts.

Federal award establishes Parkinson’s research center at URMC

By Brett Dahlberg • Oct 4, 2018

The University of Rochester Medical Center has received a multimillion-dollar federal grant to study Parkinson’s disease, the university announced Wednesday. The $9.2 million award will fund the creation of a new research center, officials said.

“We are currently in the midst of a Parkinson’s pandemic,” said Ray Dorsey, the principal investigator of the new center. “The number of people with Parkinson’s disease globally has doubled from 1990 to 2015, and absent change, the number of people with Parkinson’s disease will double again in the coming 25 years.”

Low-cost cancer services expanding around Monroe County

By Brett Dahlberg • Oct 2, 2018

The University of Rochester Medical Center is expanding an effort to bring cancer services to people in the Rochester area.

The Cancer Services Program of the Finger Lakes Region grew out of a smaller program at the University of Rochester Medical Center that served only Monroe County.

Upstate’s first mobile stroke unit comes to URMC

By Brett Dahlberg • Sep 27, 2018

The University of Rochester Medical Center unveiled upstate New York’s first mobile stroke unit Thursday, describing the vehicle as a “high-tech emergency room on wheels.”

It looks like a large ambulance from the outside. Inside, the unit is equipped with specialized equipment including “a portable CT scanner that is capable of imaging the patient’s brain to detect the type of stroke they are experiencing,” URMC said in a press release.

E-cigarettes come under study at URMC

By Brett Dahlberg • Sep 24, 2018

The University of Rochester Medical Center has received a multi-million dollar federal grant to fund new research into e-cigarettes.

There’s a public impression that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to conventional smoking, the university said, but precious little research has corroborated that idea.

Cornell removes professor from teaching post after research retracted

By Brett Dahlberg • Sep 20, 2018

Brian Wansink, the Cornell professor who authored six articles retracted by the Journal of the American Medical Association Wednesday, has been removed from all teaching and research at the university, and will retire at the end of this academic year.

“I have been tremendously honored and blessed to be a Cornell professor,” Wansink said.

Cornell researcher’s articles retracted by leading medical journal

By Brett Dahlberg • Sep 20, 2018

The Journal of the American Medical Association has retracted six articles by a prominent Cornell researcher.

Brian Wansink, listed as an author on all the studies, heads Cornell's Food and Brand Lab and the university's Behavioral Economics and Consumer Choice institute.

Wansink's work has been featured in The New York Times and O, the Oprah Magazine, and on the Today Show, but the American Medical Association has now said it cannot verify that the results of at least a half-dozen of his studies are valid.

Brett Dahlberg

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